Grimsby, ON - Beamer Conservation Area Grimsby, Ontario, Canada Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 01, 2010 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 1 Turkey Vulture 1564 1564 3547 Osprey 2 2 2 Bald Eagle 3 3 37 Northern Harrier 13 13 37 Sharp-shinned Hawk 233 233 411 Cooper's Hawk 3 3 74 Northern Goshawk 0 0 7 Red-shouldered Hawk 52 52 456 Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 0 Red-tailed Hawk 171 171 1345 Rough-legged Hawk 3 3 20 Golden Eagle 0 0 5 American Kestrel 4 4 9 Merlin 1 1 8 Peregrine Falcon 0 0 7 Unknown Accipiter 0 0 3 Unknown Buteo 0 0 5 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 0 3 Total: 2049 2049 5977 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 8 hours Official Counter: Sandy Darling Observers: Colin Horstead, David Weare, Phil Waggett, Tom Thomas Visitors: There were many visitors and all names were not recorded, because birds were coming thick and fast. Thanks to all those who helped with observation. Weather: A warm day with mainly clear sky and wispy loud which helped viewing; wind mainly from south. Raptor Observations: A bumper day with over 2,000 birds and good variety of species, including first Osprey of season seen from the field. Non-raptor Observations: 2 Sandhill Cranes, 12 Cormorants, Fox Sparrow Predictions: Tomorrow is the Open House, and the weather should be good for observation. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Sandy Darling () Beamer Conservation Area, Grimsby, ON information may be found at: http://www.hwcn.org/link/niaghawk/ Site Description: The hawk migration at the Beamer Memorial Conservation Area is conducted by the Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch (NPH). The counting is all done by volunteers. Not all members are counters nor does a counter have to be a member. Typically one person is the designated counter for each day but other observers present assist with the spotting and identification. Counting is done from a steel observation tower with a wooden floor. For wind protection on the cold days of March, a black plastic wind guard is installed around the tower�s platform. This platform easily accommodates ten people but on most busy days, no more than five or six observers would be on it. The site lies within a publically accessible property owned by the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority. There is no charge for admittance. The tower stands in the centre of a mowed area with a gravel ring road near the outer edge. This provides lots of room to park vehicles (along the road) and set up lawn chairs, telescopes and cameras. Toilet facilities are present. During the counting season, the NPH erect a counting board to display the day�s observations for the public. The box enclosing the sign contains brochures and silhouette sheets for the public as well as bulletin boards with news and historical sighting records. Photos courtesy of Mike Street and Barry Cherriere Directions to site: To get to Beamer CA, take the QEW to Exit 72, follow Christie St./Mountain St. to the top of the escarpment, turn right on Ridge Road West, and go 1.6km to Quarry Rd. Turn right on Quarry Rd. and drive 100m to the conservation area. Parking is normally available inside the park. If parking at the entrance or on the roads, do NOT leave valuables in your car. Please note: Data in this report is not official until reviewed and finalized after the end of the season. © 2010 Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list ONTBIRDS@hwcn.org For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
