Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch - Beamer Conservation Area Grimsby, Ontario, Canada 50TH SPRING MIGRATION COUNT IN 2024 Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 31, 2024 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 1 1 Turkey Vulture 154 3493 3503 Osprey 0 0 0 Bald Eagle 0 63 63 Northern Harrier 0 24 25 Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 61 62 Cooper's Hawk 3 66 66 American Goshawk 0 1 1 Red-shouldered Hawk 3 219 219 Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 0 Red-tailed Hawk 14 569 580 Rough-legged Hawk 0 2 2 Golden Eagle 0 9 9 American Kestrel 0 7 7 Merlin 0 7 7 Peregrine Falcon 0 1 1 Unknown Accipiter 0 4 4 Unknown Buteo 1 12 12 Unknown Falcon 0 1 1 Unknown Eagle 3 8 8 Unknown Raptor 10 23 23 Total: 189 4571 4594 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 06:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 9.5 hours Official Counter: Deena Errampalli, Gianpiero Tondina Observers: John Hannah Visitors: A pleasant Easter Sunday with 8C brought many visitors to the Beamer CA and the Hawkwatch tower. Thanks to Phil Vriend from Toronto, who spent 2 hours; Joedy Groulx from Welland, who spent 4 hours; and John Hannah from Hamilton, who helped spot the raptors with bins and cameras. Other visitors included Adam from Kitchner(60 min), Molly Holloway (30 min) from Grimsby; Sherri from Stoney Creek/Grimsby area was interested in the volunteer opportunity, and John H., and I suggested she look up the NPHW; Mandy Pacile and family from Beamsville; one visitor from Hamilton and three children from Beamsville; and Claudia, Nate, and Anjani from St. Catharines. Weather: There was 100% cloud cover until noon, and then it gradually cleared to 40%. Visibility was 10-12 km. The Temperature was between 2C and 8C with wind ranging between 5 km/hr and 13 km/hr. The wind direction changed from NW in the morning to SE/S in the afternoon. Most of the migration was seen on the south side between 2 and 4 p.m. Raptor Observations: A total of 189 raptors, predominantly turkey vultures, followed by Red-tailed Hawks, moved from East to West. Only three Red-shouldered hawks were seen, but one flew over the tower and gave us a good view. John Hannah took photos and we could clearly see the ‘windows’ on the wings. Non-raptor Observations: The local Turkey Vultures circled above the gorge. Local Cooper Hawks and Red-tailed Hawks pairs showed midair courtship behavior. Two Pileated Woodpeckers called from the direction of Poole's house; 4 Double-crested Cormorants and 3 Mallard Ducks flew towards the Lake. 2 Northern Flickers flew by the tower. Heard a symphony of the Red-bellied woodpeckers, American Crows, Northern Cardinals, American Robins, and Blue Jays. 7 gulls were seen and heard. A deer was spotted in the vineyard behind the Farmhouse. Predictions: The weather forecast for sunny skies and a high of 10 C on April 1 looks favourable. Derby Hill Bird Observatory reported a good number of TUVU and RTHA today. The flight at Beamers might look like today’s flight. Birds will move before a very unsettled week ahead—rain and precipitation are forecasted for Tuesday through next Thursday. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Deena Errampalli (deenaerrampalli@bell.net) 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!!!