Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch - Beamer Conservation Area Grimsby, Ontario, Canada OVER 50 YEARS Of ANNUAL SPRING COUNTS Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 25, 2026 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 1 1 Turkey Vulture 0 2311 6606 Osprey 0 29 34 Bald Eagle 0 34 75 Northern Harrier 0 32 41 Sharp-shinned Hawk 0 725 825 Cooper's Hawk 0 47 117 American Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 10 357 Broad-winged Hawk 0 2236 2236 Red-tailed Hawk 0 222 492 Rough-legged Hawk 0 3 7 Golden Eagle 0 5 7 American Kestrel 0 30 39 Merlin 0 2 5 Peregrine Falcon 0 2 5 Unknown Accipitrine 0 4 10 Unknown Buteo 0 6 27 Unknown Falcon 0 1 1 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 18 33 Total: 0 5718 10918 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 10:45:00 Observation end time: 13:00:00 Total observation time: 2.25 hours Official Counter: John Hannah Observers: Visitors: A dozen or so dog-walkers and hikers visited the park, but none climbed the tower. Weather: There was 100% cloud cover, limited visibility, and a stiff NE wind all day. Steady rain until 10:45 AM; stopped briefly until 13:00. After that, it drizzled for 30 minutes, and then the rain resumed. Raptor Observations: During the mid-day reprieve from the rain, local raptors appeared. Five Turkey Vultures circled, and one flew past the tower below eye level. A Red-Tailed Hawk was kiting over "Poole's," and a lone adult Bald Eagle flew east along the escarpment ridge. Non-raptor Observations: When the rain let up, the flock of White-Throated Sparrows appeared first, to brighten a dreary day, followed by a mixed flock of Yellow-Rumped Warblers, a Blue-Headed Vireo, a singing Black-Throated Green Warbler, and several kinglets (both kinds) and a couple of chickadees. Predictions: I expect a much improved raptor migration day tomorrow. ======================================================================== Report submitted by John hannah (hannahjohn23@gmail.com ) 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!!!