[Ontbirds]HSR: Beamer Conservation Area (22 Mar 2008) 276 Raptors

[reports at hawkcount.org]

Beamer Conservation Area
Grimsby, Ontario, Canada
Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 22, 2008
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Species            Day's Count    Month Total   Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture                0              0              0
Turkey Vulture              82            230            230
Osprey                       0              0              0
Bald Eagle                   1             19             19
Northern Harrier             0              4              4
Sharp-shinned Hawk           2             15             15
Cooper's Hawk                2             18             19
Northern Goshawk             0              1              1
Red-shouldered Hawk         14             44             44
Broad-winged Hawk            0              0              0
Red-tailed Hawk            172            515            516
Rough-legged Hawk            2             11             11
Golden Eagle                 0              4              4
American Kestrel             1              7              7
Merlin                       0              0              0
Peregrine Falcon             0              1              1
Unknown Accipiter            0              2              2
Unknown Buteo                0              3              3
Unknown Falcon               0              0              0
Unknown Eagle                0              0              0
Unknown Raptor               0              4              4

Total:                     276            878            880
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Observation start time: 08:00:00 
Observation end   time: 16:00:00 
Total observation time: 8 hours

Official Counter:        Phil Waggett

Observers:        Colin Horstead, David Weare, Keith Sealy, Tom Thomas

Visitors:
Derek & Jennifer Lyon, Jacques Giraud, and Barry Cherriere did an excellent
job of spotting birds--as usual!!!


Weather:
A very cool day, the temperature barely getting above freezing, with
moderate north-easterly winds.  Mostly sunny with high wispy clouds. 
Excellent visibility.

Raptor Observations:
The best count of the spring so far.  The count was dominated by the
red-tail flight with good numbers of turkey vultures (although no large
kettles were observed).  Several adult red-shoulders were also counted. 
Two roughlegs (one dark morph and one light).  The bald eagle was an adult
bird.

The resident coopers hawks were noted throughout the day.

Non-raptor Observations:
Very little migrant activity, particularly few blackbirds were observed. 
Four tundra swans were observed around 10:15 EST. 
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Report submitted by Phil Waggett ()
Beamer Conservation Area, Grimsby, ON information may be found at:
http://www.hwcn.org/link/niaghawk/


Site Description:
Beamer Conservation Area is located on top of the Niagara Escarpment above
the town of Grimsby, Ontario. The site is 1km south of the south shore of
Lake Ontario, 20km east of Hamilton, 40km west of Niagara Falls. 

Directions to site:
To get to Beamer CA, take the QEW to Exit 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. © 2008 Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch