Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch - Beamer Conservation Area Grimsby, Ontario, Canada OVER 50 YEARS Of ANNUAL SPRING COUNTS Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 31, 2026 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 259 4269 4277 Osprey 0 5 5 Bald Eagle 0 41 41 Northern Harrier 0 8 9 Sharp-shinned Hawk 5 100 100 Cooper's Hawk 4 70 70 American Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 1 347 347 Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 0 Red-tailed Hawk 0 270 270 Rough-legged Hawk 0 4 4 Golden Eagle 0 2 2 American Kestrel 0 9 9 Merlin 0 3 3 Peregrine Falcon 1 3 3 Unknown Accipitrine 0 6 6 Unknown Buteo 0 21 21 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 4 15 15 Total: 274 5173 5182 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 08:45:00 Observation end time: 12:00:00 Total observation time: 3.25 hours Official Counter: Deena Errampalli Observers: Colleen Cugini Visitors: Only two visitors, Drew and Barbara from Milton, came up to the tower and spent 30 minutes. It was good to see the returning visitors. The forecast of rain and thunderstorms saw a few people with dogs (on leashes), but there were no other visitors up the tower. Weather: It rained all night and until 8:30 am, so the count began at 8:45 am. It was a cloudy day, but visibility was unlimited. There was no precipitation during the count period. Another good spring day, with temperatures ranging between 15 �C and 16 �C and a 21-24 km/hr South Southwest wind. The visibility was 10-14 km. Rain and thunderstorms resumed at 12 pm, at which time the count was concluded. Raptor Observations: We were happy to see 274 raptors over a three-hour period, mostly Turkey Vultures. A Peregrine Falcon was the icing on the cake! We were surprised to see no activity from the local Turkey Vultures or Red-tailed Hawks. Non-raptor Observations: Two Great Blue Herons, four Double-crested Cormorants, and a pair of Wood ducks flew toward the Lake. About 40 grackles, in two different flocks, flew west. In addition to the regular passerines, a couple of Northern Flickers made rhythmic wick-a, wick-a calls. Predictions: Cloudy with a 60% chance of showers and wind northeast 20 km/h is forecasted for tomorrow. With the prediction of northeast winds and temperatures in the single digits, the flight could be light. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Deena Errampalli (deenaerrampalli@bell.net) 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!!!