Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch - Beamer Conservation Area Grimsby, Ontario, Canada Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 24, 2021 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 2 2 Turkey Vulture 425 1878 1878 Osprey 0 0 0 Bald Eagle 1 46 46 Northern Harrier 0 5 5 Sharp-shinned Hawk 20 72 72 Cooper's Hawk 2 43 43 Northern Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 12 231 231 Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 0 Red-tailed Hawk 29 403 403 Rough-legged Hawk 1 9 9 Golden Eagle 0 7 7 American Kestrel 0 10 10 Merlin 1 6 6 Peregrine Falcon 1 3 3 Unknown Accipiter 0 1 1 Unknown Buteo 3 12 12 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 0 0 Total: 495 2728 2728 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 8 hours Official Counter: Bill Lamond Observers: Visitors: In order to comply with COVID safety provisions we remind you that the size of gatherings is restricted and so we do not encourage visitors. Access to the tower is restricted to the official counter and one assigned spotter, whose names have been provided in advance to the appropriate authorities. Please cooperate by keeping yourself and others safe. Weather: Day started out largely sunny with moderately strong SE winds. Cool at about 7 degrees Celsius. Cloud cover changed throughout the day but it was largely clear until almost 100% cloud-cover by 3:30. Temperature shot up to about 17 degrees by noon when winds shifted to SW. By 3:00 the winds shifted to moderate N winds and temperatures really cooled off. Raptor Observations: An abundance of Turkey Vultures today with many of them coming in the last hour. Moderate numbers of Red-tailed and Red-shouldered Hawks and one each of Merlin, Peregrine, Rough-legged Hawk and Bald Eagle. Non-raptor Observations: A modest passerine migration of blackbirds and robins in the morning with one meadowlark, one Tree Swallow and a few bluebirds. Three flickers and over 30 Killdeers were also noted. It was interesting to observe five cormorants soaring very high against the brilliant white clouds. I was very ably assisted by Sarah Lamond. Those young eyes come in mighty handy. Predictions: Clearing overnight with moderate SW winds on Thursday so could be good for hawks. SE winds would be better but at least they are southern. The High is supposed to be up to 17 degrees Celsius so should be pleasant enough. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Bill Lamond (bill-lamond@hotmail.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. 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 park vehicles (along the road) and 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. Parking is normally available inside the park. 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!!!