Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch - Beamer Conservation Area Grimsby, Ontario, Canada OVER 50 YEARS Of ANNUAL SPRING COUNTS Daily Raptor Counts: May 03, 2026 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 2 Turkey Vulture 26 48 6697 Osprey 1 2 42 Bald Eagle 1 2 80 Northern Harrier 2 4 49 Sharp-shinned Hawk 5 12 923 Cooper's Hawk 0 1 127 American Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 357 Broad-winged Hawk 21 32 2483 Red-tailed Hawk 1 6 508 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 7 Golden Eagle 0 0 7 American Kestrel 0 1 42 Merlin 0 0 6 Peregrine Falcon 0 0 5 Unknown Accipitrine 0 0 12 Unknown Buteo 0 1 28 Unknown Falcon 0 0 1 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 0 34 Total: 57 109 11410 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 16:45:00 Total observation time: 8.75 hours Official Counter: Gianpiero Tondina Observers: John Blanchard Visitors: Many visitors to the tower asking questions about the raptor migration. Thank you to Dave Joedy from Weiland On., Tony Dobson, and John Blanchard for their help spotting raptors. Weather: Cold morning with south-west wind gusting up to 28 km/h, sun and cloud alternating up to mid day, stronger wind through all afternoon and rain at the end of the day. Raptor Observations: Very slow start in the morning, just a few birds. Low flight early and higher around mid day. Non-raptor Observations: A few species were present at the Park, Northern Cardinal. Blue Jays, White throated Sparrows, American Golden Finch, Ruby Kinglet, song Sparrow, Dark Eye Junco, Northern Flickers, Chipping Sparrow. Wooden Duck flying, Cormorant, Loon, and two soaring Ravens. Predictions: Monday May 4th the weather looks more promising and warmer. Lets hope for a numbers of raptors. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Sandy Darling (darlinga@cogeco.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!!!