Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch - Beamer Conservation Area Grimsby, Ontario, Canada Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 15, 2023 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 7 292 292 Osprey 0 0 0 Bald Eagle 6 16 16 Northern Harrier 0 2 2 Sharp-shinned Hawk 0 1 1 Cooper's Hawk 0 2 2 Northern Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 2 2 Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 0 Red-tailed Hawk 5 61 61 Rough-legged Hawk 0 1 1 Golden Eagle 0 1 1 American Kestrel 0 0 0 Merlin 0 0 0 Peregrine Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Accipiter 0 1 1 Unknown Buteo 0 2 2 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 0 0 Total: 18 381 381 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 15:15:00 Total observation time: 7.25 hours Official Counter: Simon Carter Observers: Barry Cherriere, Brian Roberts, Matt Mills Visitors: The park was quite busy, with schools on vacation. Adults who climbed the tower to talk and watch were Bernard, Debbie & Shirley, Betty Jean, Adrienne, Ann, Steve, and John. A number of kids came up to chat and look around. Weather: Clear skies throughout. Temperatures climbed steadily from -4C to 4C. Wind was light, 10-12km/h at start, dropping off through the morning to calm. 1.30pm a light southerly wind got up, 10.12km/h. Raptor Observations: Low numbers of TV and RT throughout the day. Six Bald Eagles, of varying ages, passed, four close together at 12.44. A local Cooper's hawk, and a local Red-tailed Hawk, were seen twice each. Last migrants were seen just after 2pm EST, and the count was stopped at 3.15pm. Non-raptor Observations: The Tufted Titmouse was again very active, singing continuously for an hour between 12-1pm. A pair of Ravens made several appearances, small flocks of migrating crows were seen, but no other migrant passerines noted. Predictions: Southerly winds and a warmer, sunny forecast bodes well. Hamburg, near Buffalo, had 140 TV late in the afternoon, so numbers should be better than today. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Simon Carter () 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!!!