Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch - Beamer Conservation Area Grimsby, Ontario, Canada OVER 50 YEARS Of ANNUAL SPRING COUNTS Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 18, 2026 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 1 1 Turkey Vulture 43 2121 6416 Osprey 1 22 27 Bald Eagle 3 21 62 Northern Harrier 3 23 32 Sharp-shinned Hawk 216 540 640 Cooper's Hawk 1 28 98 American Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 8 355 Broad-winged Hawk 137 650 650 Red-tailed Hawk 9 162 432 Rough-legged Hawk 0 2 6 Golden Eagle 0 5 7 American Kestrel 7 22 31 Merlin 0 2 5 Peregrine Falcon 1 2 5 Unknown Accipitrine 0 0 6 Unknown Buteo 0 1 22 Unknown Falcon 0 1 1 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 9 24 Total: 421 3620 8820 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 07:00:00 Observation end time: 13:30:00 Total observation time: 6.5 hours Official Counter: Phil Waggett Observers: Dave Don, David Jacobs, Gianpiero Tondina, Joedy Groulx, Sarah Stover, Susan Fraser Visitors: I was pleasantly surprised by the number of birders and hawkwatchers who showed up today and helped spotting the birds. Joedy, Andre, Susan Fraser, Gianpiero, Dave Don, Kayo Roy, David Jacobs, Sarah Stover, Shannon, and Gina Turone all made their way to the tower. We also had Mike and his family--Yelena, Russell, Geneva visit from Smithville; once again, Yelena did a great job of recording data on the count sheet for me. Also visiting Beamer was the South Peel Naturalists, led by Jim Watt. Weather: A very warm spring day with south winds frequently gusting to 50+km/hr. Mostly overcast with rain starting at 12 noon, followed by a brief lull and then showers began again just after 1 pm leading to the cancellation of the hawkwatch for the day. Raptor Observations: The flight was dominated by sharp-shins and broad wings which came in at tree top height in steady but relatively small numbers. Three bald eagles were observed--2 adults and a 4th year bird. The best bird was a peregrine falcon that flew directly over the tower just after 8 am. Local TV's and the male coop were very active today. Non-raptor Observations: The park was relatively quiet--a single white-throated sparrow and an eastern towhee were noted. Six great blue herons migrated across the hawkwatch, 4 of them together. A number of skeins of cormorants also migrated across the hawkwatch. Predictions: A chance of scattered showers with westerly winds which aren't too favourable for this location. However, based on the counts at Ripley and Presqu'ile, there are still significant numbers of birds in the pipeline. ======================================================================== 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!!!