Grimsby, ON - Beamer Conservation Area Grimsby, Ontario, Canada Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 12, 2011 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 1 Turkey Vulture 89 1632 6336 Osprey 3 16 16 Bald Eagle 1 6 36 Northern Harrier 3 31 47 Sharp-shinned Hawk 55 449 512 Cooper's Hawk 3 15 65 Northern Goshawk 0 1 1 Red-shouldered Hawk 6 95 567 Broad-winged Hawk 212 212 212 Red-tailed Hawk 54 562 1541 Rough-legged Hawk 0 7 43 Golden Eagle 0 0 0 American Kestrel 1 10 19 Merlin 0 3 5 Peregrine Falcon 0 1 4 Unknown Accipiter 0 1 2 Unknown Buteo 1 7 28 Unknown Falcon 0 1 1 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 2 4 Total: 428 3051 9440 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 8 hours Official Counter: Tom Thomas Observers: Dave Sked, David Weare, Jim Watt, Peter Booker Visitors: Peter Booker, Stuart Laughton, David Sked, Jim Watt, Ron Pittaway, Jean Iron, Vern Evans, David Weare,Frank and Sandra Horvath, Ms. Jerry. Weather: Winds fairly strong out of the north east. Temperature ranged from +5c to +7c. Hazy clouds for most of the day, with a clear blue sky at times. Raptor Observations: The first Broad-wings of the season, and a total of 10 raptor species. Non-raptor Observations: Chimney Swift, Purple Martin, Tree Swallow, Barn Swallow, Belted Kingfisher, Common Loon, Fox Sparrow, Wild Turkey, and lots of Northern Flickers flying through in the early morning Predictions: Overnight and morning rain is predicted for Grimsby, but things could get moving if it clears out early enough. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Tom Thomas (ttho...@cogeco.ca) Beamer Conservation Area, Grimsby, ON information may be found at: http://www.niagarapeninsulahawkwatch.org/ Site Description: Hawk migration monitoring at the Beamer Memorial Conservation Area in Grimsby, Ontario is conducted by the Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch (NPH). All counting is 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 cold days, particularly in 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 publicly 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 seven day's worth of observation data 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. Directions to site: To get to Beamer CA, take the QEW to Exit 71/72, 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. © 2011 Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch
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