Grimsby, ON - Beamer Conservation Area Grimsby, Ontario, Canada Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 26, 2013 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 573 1275 1275 Osprey 0 1 1 Bald Eagle 1 12 12 Northern Harrier 0 4 4 Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 12 12 Cooper's Hawk 2 26 26 Northern Goshawk 0 1 1 Red-shouldered Hawk 13 44 44 Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 0 Red-tailed Hawk 50 411 411 Rough-legged Hawk 0 6 6 Golden Eagle 0 1 1 American Kestrel 1 5 5 Merlin 0 1 1 Peregrine Falcon 0 1 1 Unknown Accipiter 0 1 1 Unknown Buteo 0 1 1 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 1 1 Total: 641 1803 1803 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 16:15:00 Total observation time: 8.25 hours Official Counter: Tom Thomas Observers: Dave Sked, David Weare Visitors: Fran Hicks, Jeremy Woodley, Greg Vandevelde, Tim Mcarthy Weather: Dull overcast day in the early morning, but the sun broke through just before noon. Light to moderate north west winds for the most part changing to a north wind late in the day. Temperatures ranged from a low of +3C to a high of +9C Raptor Observations: Very slow early morning, but as the day brightened up the Turkey Vultures started to come through in good numbers. They were still coming after the 4:00 pm. finishing hour. Adult Bald Eagle just after 1:pm. Non-raptor Observations: Cackling Goose (3) Common Raven, Common Loon. Predictions: It could be good on Wednesday, but I think Thursday/ Friday might be better ======================================================================== Report submitted by Tom Thomas (tthomas@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. © 2013 Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch