Raptor Time

Cheevers5.09 Earl Plato

Raptor time. We drove west on the Q.E.W. and turned north on Christie Street and turned at the top of the escarpment right to the Beamer’s Conservation site. See the signs. It’s just at the edge of the Niagara Escarpment. This was another clear, sunny day but still quite cold. I have always been fascinated with the seasonal arrival of the raptors since I saw my first ones years ago in Ridgeway. A fox had died in the fields to the west of us. First one, then two, three and four appeared drifting in circles over the dead animal. Turkey vultures are highly skilled specialists with an acute sense of smell not possessed by other raptors. Their eyesight is excellent too. They are commonly mistaken for hawks. Our largest local hawk, the Red-tail, is much smaller. Vultures in wingspan (circa six-feet) compare to our Bald eagles. I have seen Turkey vultures across Ontario. They usually are seen drifting over fields. cliffs or lakes. Because of their slow take-off speed they avoid road kill on our highways unlike crows with their quick take-off. They are consummate scavengers. Look for their wide wings on a shallow ‘V’, slowly tilting from side to side on wind currents. At these times at Beamer’s Point they almost never flap their wings. Beautiful to watch but ugly to see up close.
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Those of you who know Beamer’s Conservation site know it has the elevated lookout. Six birders with scopes were up top. There to the north in the very top of a tree was a Horned owl. It’s been there for years. Of course it’s a fake. That Tuesday, April 12th was not a good day for seeing the Turkey vulture, Diane and I saw only three. However. we met Ed from Mississauga at the most eastern lookout. Here in a more protected area we were able to warm up. Wear layers of warm clothing. You can always down layer. Ed was at Beamer’s the day the great ingathering of the migrating Turkey vultures came in from the southeast. He said, “1700 total they estimated. 1400 or so of the Turkey vultures along with Bald eagles, hawks, and songbirds. The sky was filled. I had to come back here again and again. It was an amazing experience.” He had his Pentax camera with its telescopic lens ready. Ed had a chair, a bottle of water, and his lunch. We were still chilled and headed back. The trails are good there and the days will become warmer. “You can count on it,” said Ed. Beamer’s Point overlooking the Town of Grimsby is worth the visit any time.