Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch - Beamer Conservation Area Grimsby, Ontario, Canada
OVER 50 YEARS Of ANNUAL SPRING COUNTS Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 18, 2025 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 211 669 669 Osprey 0 0 0 Bald Eagle 0 23 23 Northern Harrier 4 9 9 Sharp-shinned Hawk 12 34 34 Cooper's Hawk 3 23 24 American Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 33 80 80 Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 0 Red-tailed Hawk 19 199 199 Rough-legged Hawk 0 2 2 Golden Eagle 0 0 0 American Kestrel 0 0 0 Merlin 1 2 2 Peregrine Falcon 1 2 2 Unknown Accipitrine 0 2 2 Unknown Buteo 0 1 1 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 1 1 Total: 284 1047 1048 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 8 hours Official Counter: Clive Hodder Observers: Dave Sked, Gianpiero Tondina, Marcie Jacklin Visitors: G P Tondina, Dave Sked, Marcie Jacklin and Jeff Blatner, Deena Errampalli, Marco Decarolis, Don Deegan and Troy Johnson. Weather: Cold (1C) and windy at the start of the count with gusts from the south up to 20 km/hr under a cloudless sky. The temperature increased throughout the day reaching 16C at the end of the count with wind gusts up to 30 km/hr with 5-10% cirrus clouds appearing in hour 3 of the count and remaining for the rest of the day. Raptor Observations: An enjoyable day on the tower, after a slow start, with 284 raptors counted - 211 Turkey Vultures, 4 Northern Harriers, 12 Sharp-shinned Hawks, 3 Cooper's Hawks, 33 Red-shouldered Hawks, 19 Red-tailed Hawks, a Merlin and a late afternoon Peregrine Falcon. The wind gusts pushed the birds all over the sky so there was no predictable flight line. Many raptors were migrating just above treetop height. The local Cooper's Hawk pair were displaying around the tower. Many thanks to GP, Dave, Marcie, Jeff, Deena, Marco, Don and Troy for their help in spotting raptors today. Non-raptor Observations: 7 Cedar Waxwings, 40 Red-winged Blackbirds, 12 Canada Geese, 3 Common Grackles, 3 Dark-eyed Juncos, 2 Ravens, several Blue Jays and many American Robins. Predictions: Winds are predicted to continue from the south tomorrow with a mix of sun and clouds throughout the day - but it will be warmer. A similar flight to today may be expected. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Katherine Stoltz (Katherine stoltzstoltz.kather...@gmail.com) Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch - Beamer Conservation Area information may be found at: http://www.niagarapeninsulahawkwatch.org/ More site information at hawkcount.org: https://hawkcount.org/siteinfo.php?rsite=389 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. Only the counter and designated spotters can drive into and park in the conservation area; there is a parking lot outside for visitors. 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 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. If parking at the entrance or on the roads, do NOT leave valuables in your car. Please note: 1) Data in this report is not official until reviewed and finalized after the end of the season. ©2020 Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch. 2) Vehicular traffic into the park is allowed, but visitors are asked to have their cars outside the gate by 3PM. 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