Grimsby, ON - Beamer Conservation Area Grimsby, Ontario, Canada Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 08, 2012 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 1 3 Turkey Vulture 58 1920 5320 Osprey 0 17 21 Bald Eagle 0 6 41 Northern Harrier 1 13 35 Sharp-shinned Hawk 21 104 437 Cooper's Hawk 0 19 80 Northern Goshawk 0 0 2 Red-shouldered Hawk 2 6 573 Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 0 Red-tailed Hawk 8 259 1611 Rough-legged Hawk 0 4 28 Golden Eagle 0 3 7 American Kestrel 2 9 25 Merlin 0 3 11 Peregrine Falcon 0 1 3 Unknown Accipiter 0 7 9 Unknown Buteo 0 3 16 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 2 9 Total: 92 2377 8231 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 13:30:00 Total observation time: 5.5 hours Official Counter: Phil Waggett Observers: Barry Cherriere, Jean Iron, Ron Pittaway, Tom Thomas Visitors: Tom Thomas, Jean Iron, Ron Pittaway, and Barry Cherriere, Sandra & Frank Horvath. Weather: The day started out sunny, with a few clouds and quite warm for early April but by 11 am (EST), it was overcast with moderate south-west winds and the temperature dropping. When light drizzle started at 1:25 pm and the flight very light for the previous two hours, the watch was terminated. Raptor Observations: A very light flight today, still dominated by TV's and a small flight of sharp-shins. Again today, the local vultures, coops and red-tails were active. Non-raptor Observations: Very little migratory activity. Several flickers and tree swallows were noted. A lone pine warbler and barn swallow were two highlights. Fox and song sparrows continued to be at the feeders. A lone great blue heron also flew by. Predictions: The weather will continue to be unsettled for the next few days so I would expect a continued light flight. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Phil Waggett () 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. © 2012 Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch
_______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert@ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
