Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch - Beamer Conservation Area Grimsby, Ontario, Canada OVER 50 YEARS Of ANNUAL SPRING COUNTS Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 07, 2026 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 52 1220 5515 Osprey 0 12 17 Bald Eagle 0 3 44 Northern Harrier 0 7 16 Sharp-shinned Hawk 2 66 166 Cooper's Hawk 2 7 77 American Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 2 349 Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 0 Red-tailed Hawk 4 59 329 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 4 Golden Eagle 0 3 5 American Kestrel 0 4 13 Merlin 0 0 3 Peregrine Falcon 0 1 4 Unknown Accipitrine 0 0 6 Unknown Buteo 0 0 21 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 0 15 Total: 60 1384 6584 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 07:15:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 8.75 hours Official Counter: Chris Escott Observers: Catherine Manschot, Colleen Cugini, Gianpiero Tondina, John Blanchard, Susan Fraser Visitors: The help of the two Spotters, Susan and Colleen, was greatly appreciated, especially for keeping the conversation going and helping the relatively raptor-free hours pass quickly. Thanks as well the Gianpiero, Catherine, and John who also spent time with us on the tower. Kevin from Buffalo came by the tower for a brief chat before hiking out to the point, and Tony from Stoney Creek shared his sightings and photos with us for a while. A number of other brave souls were out for a hike in the cold, many of them with dogs. Weather: Subzero for much of the day with a strong northwest wind creating wind chills in the minus double digits. Significant cloud in the first couple of hours gave way to clearing skies and eventual clear blue sky by the end of the count. Raptor Observations: A disappointing day, given the amount of sunshine with scattered cloud, but perhaps the northwest wind and frigid temperatures were a factor. More likely, there were no birds in the pipeline. Non-raptor Observations: Nothing very exciting. A common loon flew high overhead to the south. Several Fox Sparrows were seen, as well an Eastern Phoebe and a Yellow breasted Sapsucker, plus most of the other expected songbirds. Predictions: The weather forecast suggests another cold day, but with light southeast winds and blue sky. Reports from counts to the south today indicate very few birds so, even with a decent day no precipitation, there may not be a lot of birds to count. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Chris Escott (chris@escott.ca) Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch - Beamer Conservation Area information may be found at: http://nphawkwatch.ca/ 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!!!