Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch - Beamer Conservation Area Grimsby, Ontario, Canada
OVER 50 YEARS Of ANNUAL SPRING COUNTS Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 03, 2025 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 322 1050 4516 Osprey 3 5 10 Bald Eagle 2 6 52 Northern Harrier 4 5 16 Sharp-shinned Hawk 33 38 158 Cooper's Hawk 0 5 56 American Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 1 216 Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 0 Red-tailed Hawk 7 46 451 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 7 Golden Eagle 0 0 3 American Kestrel 6 6 9 Merlin 0 1 3 Peregrine Falcon 0 0 3 Unknown Accipitrine 0 0 2 Unknown Buteo 0 0 12 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 0 2 Total: 377 1163 5516 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 8 hours Official Counter: Bill Lamond Observers: David Thomas, John Niewiadomski, Kevin Empey Visitors: I hate to list Kiah Jasper as just a visitor and not a qualified observer as he was spotting most of the hawks from 10 am -2 pm. However, I see no way to add him as an observer on the website. A family group climbed the tower at one point to see what we were up to but the park was quieter than usual despite the warm weather. Weather: It was a warm day but with blustery SW winds. The sky was a mix of sun and clouds with the blue obscured by thin clouds for much of the day. Despite this, it was bright and the clouds made it easier to spot the hawks, more so as the flight was low due to the substantial winds. Raptor Observations: The strong SW winds proved too challenging for buteos and only a handful of Red-tails were observed. The Vultures didn't mind however, and they were "rockin and rollin" past the tower to the south and north for much of the day. Sharp-shins put in a fair showing, as did Harriers, Kestrels and Ospreys. Non-raptor Observations: Not a whole lot of other things going on. The two Fox Sparrows (same?) were often singing, Tree Swallows flew over a few times, three Common Loons were noted as were about 30 Cormorants. Robins were flying over in low numbers for much of the day and Flickers were observed often. I suppose the non-raptor highlight were two sightings of Sandhill Cranes. Predictions: A mainly sunny day is forecasted for the 4th with a 10% chance of showers given for every hawkwatch hour. Winds are moderate at 12km/hr and begin from the NW but switch to the NE by lunchtime. That looks promising. Should be pleasant enough with highs of 9 degrees Celsius. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Bill Lamond ([email protected]) 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. If parking at the gate DO NOT LEAVE VALUABLES IN YOUR VEHICLE!!! -- Ontbirds and Birdnews are moderated email Listservs provided by the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO) as a service to all birders in Ontario. Birdnews is reserved for announcements, location summaries, first of year reports, etc. To post a message on Birdnews, send an email to: [email protected]. 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