On most Sundays from late August to mid-December, visitors to Hamlin Beach State Park Area #4 can see a small group of dedicated bird watchers whose activity is so important it has become internationally recognized. Known as the Hamlin Beach Lakewatch, the project was started in 1993 with funds provided by the Braddock Bay Raptor Research group, largely because of the interest and initiative of local birders. "Serious local birders have known for years that Hamlin Beach is a premier spot for observing migratory waterfowl," says Brett Ewald, of Hilton, the director of the Lakewatch project. "People come from all over the state to see the annual migration. We also have people come here from New England, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Cape Cod, and as far away as Florida." Since its inception, Hamlin Beach Lakewatch has observed and tallied nearly a million birds of many species, mostly migratory waterfowl that use the flyways over Lake Ontario. Last year over 300,000 birds of 55 species were recorded. Among the more commonly sighted species are Loons, Grebes, Cormorant, Tundra and Mute Swans, Black Ducks, Green-winged Teals, American Widgeon, Pintails, Wood Duck, Canvasbacks, Scaup and Scoters. In 1989, three pairs of Black Terns were spotted nesting in Yanty Marsh. World-wide, Black Terns are declining in numbers and are on the endangered list. Other rare species spotted at Hamlin Beach are Northern Gannet, Black-capped Petrel and rarest of all, Ancient Murrelet. So thorough, consistent and reliable are Lakewatch's observations the Audubon Society has given Hamlin Beach an Important Bird Area designation, one of only three on the East Coast. It is the only organized observation site on Lake Ontario. Special recognition has come to the Lakewatch project because of its observation of high numbers (11,000) of Black Scoters and Red-throated Loons. The American Bird Conservancy, a Washington, D.C. based non-profit dedicated to the conservation of wild birds and their habitats, designated Hamlin Beach a "Globally Important Site." (For further information about the importance of Hamlin Beach as a birding site log-on to http://ny.audubon.org/iba.). Since 1997 a professional counter has been employed to coordinate and organize the volunteers - a core group of about seven people - and record and collate the statistics. Last year's counter was Ewald himself. He says, "Since we've organized we've learned there's a lot more going by out there than we ever thought there was, and we really need to put more effort into it and watch longer days, start earlier and things like that. We need to stretch the volunteers as far as they can realistically go." Ewald praised the volunteers saying, "They are dedicated. They're really high quality people." He estimated that a hundred volunteer observers are active during the height of the season, others, like Brockport's Bill Symonds keep watch year round. Public interest in the activity of Hamlin Beach Lakewatch has increased because of publicity generated by information put out on the Internet, and as a result of a November 1999 "Bird Watchers Digest" article about the Lakewatch. Fundraising efforts for the Lakewatch are always on-going with an immediate aim to acquire sufficient funds to begin a spring census and to publish the annual findings. Then, by comparing numbers in the spring and fall, Lakewatch may begin to have a better understanding of migratory behavior, for instance, that of the Red-necked Grebe which is mysteriously always more plentiful in the spring than the fall. The group has already published one scientific paper in the "Journal of Field Ornithology," titled "Inland Fall Migration of Red-throated Loons," available at http://www.afonet.org/journal.html. This year's Lakewatch fundraising goal is $10,000 which will come primarily from individual contributions. Area #4 at Hamlin Beach is a near-perfect spot to observe birds because it is situated high on a bluff overlooking the water's edge. Birders have clear sight lines to the east and west where incoming flocks of birds are first spotted, and an unobscured vista across the lake as far as the eye can see. With their high-powered scopes these professional bird watchers can easily identify the birds by silhouette and by markings as they fly by and set down upon the water. Visitors to Hamlin Beach are welcome to stop by the pavilion at Area #4 and introduce themselves to the Lakewatch volunteers at work with their scopes set out to overlook the lake. They are friendly people who like to talk about bird watching and, when not occupied with an urgent observation, are known to offer the curious a look through their scopes. Ewald often does educational presentations at schools, senior centers and other organizations. He also does field trips, birding and nature tours, including one for beginning birders at Hamlin Beach. Editor's note: For more information contact Lakeshore Nature Tours, 695 Curtis Road, Hilton, 392-0780, bmewald@earthlink.net. Contributions to Hamlin Beach Lakewatch can be sent to Braddock Bay Raptor Research, 432 Manitou Beach Road, Hilton 14468. |
