Grimsby, ON - Beamer Conservation Area Grimsby, Ontario, Canada Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 26, 2017 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 1 1 Turkey Vulture 358 1117 1154 Osprey 0 0 0 Bald Eagle 2 16 19 Northern Harrier 3 4 4 Sharp-shinned Hawk 8 25 26 Cooper's Hawk 5 24 24 Northern Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 41 110 110 Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 0 Red-tailed Hawk 45 303 339 Rough-legged Hawk 1 4 4 Golden Eagle 1 3 3 American Kestrel 2 12 12 Merlin 0 4 4 Peregrine Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Accipiter 0 0 0 Unknown Buteo 0 3 3 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 1 5 Total: 466 1627 1708 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 8 hours Official Counter: Tom Thomas Observers: Dave Sked, John Stevens, Sandy Darling Visitors: David Sked, Sandy Darling, Bob Highcock, Jean Hampson, Bob Stamp, George Bryant, George Holland, Joey Gardiner, Ben Oldfield, Donna and Fred Bachin, John Stevens. Weather: Overcast and misty with limited visibility. It rained lightly at one point for about 30 minutes. Strong north easterly winds made for another cold day on the tower. Raptor Observations: It was a 'thriller in the mist' with lots of birds mainly Turkey Vultures pushing through despite the conditions. A couple of adult Bald Eagles, and an adult Golden Eagle were also spotted coming through the mist. Non-raptor Observations: Nothing unexpected, but single Bluebird perched in a nearby tree. Predictions: Could be another good day ======================================================================== Report submitted by Tom Thomas (tthomas@cogeco.ca) Grimsby, ON - Beamer Conservation Area 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. ©2017 Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch