Grimsby, ON - Beamer Conservation Area Grimsby, Ontario, Canada Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 25, 2013 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 27 3392 6443 Osprey 6 44 45 Bald Eagle 2 21 53 Northern Harrier 1 63 70 Sharp-shinned Hawk 59 1069 1113 Cooper's Hawk 5 37 71 Northern Goshawk 0 3 5 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 213 437 Broad-winged Hawk 69 1078 1078 Red-tailed Hawk 16 919 1677 Rough-legged Hawk 1 23 36 Golden Eagle 0 5 8 American Kestrel 1 76 85 Merlin 0 9 10 Peregrine Falcon 0 1 3 Unknown Accipiter 0 2 3 Unknown Buteo 0 33 46 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 11 13 Total: 187 6999 11196 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 09:00:00 Observation end time: 17:00:00 Total observation time: 8 hours Official Counter: Brian Mishell Observers: David Weare, Peter Booker, Tim King, Tom Thomas Visitors: David Gakeef - Chapel Hill, Dave Lord, Brian Mills from Barrie Weather: The wind was the major factor. Very strong winds from the South West veering to South all day long. Cloud cover varied from 0% to 100% and then finally rain just before closing time. Raptor Observations: We had twelve species including two 2 year old Bald Eagles, and 5 Coopers and 6 Ospreys. In the last two minutes before 5 p.m. we saw extremely high a Rough Legged Hawk and then a Common Raven over the house to the South. Non-raptor Observations: Common Loon, my first Chimney Swifts of the season, plenty of swallows including Purple Martins, Tree, and Barn. The White Throated sparrows sang to us all day. Predictions: A good count could be had because the weather for once is very favourable and we are still awaiting the major flight of Broad-Wings ======================================================================== Report submitted by Brian Mishell () 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. © 2013 Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch
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