Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch - Beamer Conservation Area Grimsby, Ontario, Canada OVER 50 YEARS Of ANNUAL SPRING COUNTS Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 16, 2026 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 1 1 Turkey Vulture 21 2007 6302 Osprey 3 20 25 Bald Eagle 1 14 55 Northern Harrier 6 20 29 Sharp-shinned Hawk 80 319 419 Cooper's Hawk 5 21 91 American Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 2 8 355 Broad-winged Hawk 177 227 227 Red-tailed Hawk 4 141 411 Rough-legged Hawk 0 2 6 Golden Eagle 2 5 7 American Kestrel 6 15 24 Merlin 0 2 5 Peregrine Falcon 0 1 4 Unknown Accipitrine 0 0 6 Unknown Buteo 0 0 21 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 3 7 22 Total: 310 2810 8010 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 07:45:00 Observation end time: 14:45:00 Total observation time: 7 hours Official Counter: Sandy Darling Observers: David Thomas, Gianpiero Tondina Visitors: Don Geegan helped for an hour, Cathy James, and Larry Blight Weather: beautiful spring day to start with temperature in teens C and winds, unfortunately, from SSW. Flash of lightening led to evacuation of tower at 12:15 EST, but counting continued from ground for 20 minutes and counting continued during light rain with count closed when heavy rain came. Raptor Observations: 310 migrants over 11 species. Broad-wings and Sharp-shins dominated with few TV migrants (more like old times). 6 Harriers and 6 kestrels were noteworthy. Marco found 2 high-flying Golden Eagles for us. 2 Ospreys made about five appearances, so that some thought that we undercounted! Local TVs and Cooper's Hawk active Non-raptor Observations: About 20 species with a few Common Loons and my FOY Chopping Sparrows. Predictions: Probably good variety but numbers depend on winds -we need an easterly component! ======================================================================== 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!!!