Grimsby, ON - Beamer Conservation Area Grimsby, Ontario, Canada Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 30, 2012 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 3 5 Turkey Vulture 8 2523 5923 Osprey 0 52 56 Bald Eagle 1 19 54 Northern Harrier 0 53 75 Sharp-shinned Hawk 25 1047 1380 Cooper's Hawk 0 71 132 Northern Goshawk 1 3 5 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 24 591 Broad-winged Hawk 10 2764 2764 Red-tailed Hawk 3 619 1971 Rough-legged Hawk 0 10 34 Golden Eagle 0 7 11 American Kestrel 0 37 53 Merlin 0 7 15 Peregrine Falcon 0 2 4 Unknown Accipiter 0 9 11 Unknown Buteo 0 12 25 Unknown Falcon 0 1 1 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 5 12 Total: 48 7268 13122 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 07:30:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 8.33 hours Official Counter: John Stevens Observers: Bob Copeland Visitors: Jack and Linda Homer briefly in the am and Bob Copeland during the middle of the day. Weather: Grey, damp to wet with periods of dryness, winds light to moderate swinging from east to north and, with the temperature staying in single digits, making for an uncomfortable day that seemed longer than usual. Raptor Observations: Highlight was an immature NG that one of the local CHs chased briefly making for a David and Goliath show. Non-raptor Observations: Very quiet overall with one group of warblers showing up at treetop height just after 3 EDT. ======================================================================== Report submitted by John Stevens () 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
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