Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch - Beamer Conservation Area Grimsby, Ontario, Canada OVER 50 YEARS Of ANNUAL SPRING COUNTS Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 21, 2026 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 88 995 1003 Osprey 0 0 0 Bald Eagle 2 22 22 Northern Harrier 0 5 6 Sharp-shinned Hawk 0 16 16 Cooper's Hawk 0 29 29 American Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 13 230 230 Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 0 Red-tailed Hawk 8 94 94 Rough-legged Hawk 0 4 4 Golden Eagle 0 1 1 American Kestrel 0 3 3 Merlin 0 2 2 Peregrine Falcon 0 2 2 Unknown Accipitrine 0 1 1 Unknown Buteo 0 3 3 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 7 7 Total: 111 1414 1423 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 7 hours Official Counter: Philip Waggett Observers: Eric O'Connor, Matt Mills, Sarah Stover Visitors: Sarah Stover, Eric O'Connor, Marco and Matt Mills were a big help with spotting the birds that were often high to the south during the count. A number of other birders visited the tower today--Dave Michielsen & Jennifer Brooks (Paris, ON), Stefan Andic, Robert Stamp, George Bryant, and Dominic Stones. A large group from the Niagara Bruce Trail Club stopped in at the park. Weather: Overcast throughout the count period with light winds from the east and north-east. Cool with temperatures only reaching 4C. Raptor Observations: A modest flight dominated by turkey vultures. Thirteen shoulders today. Two bald eagles--an adult and a second-year bird. Local TV's were quite active--this number seems to have grown to at least 14 individuals. Local coops were also displaying. Non-raptor Observations: Little migratory activity today. Thirteen tundra swans were noted along with a total of 6 great blue herons. Two killdeer also flew over. In the park, a single fox sparrow, a song sparrow and a white-throated sparrow were noted. Predictions: Based on predicted precipitation, there likely will be only a few birds or likely no count. The "pipeline" later in the day today seemed quite empty, also noted in the counts from the New York hawkwatches. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Phillip Waggett (philip waggett <philipwaggett@hotmail.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. &copy;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!!!