Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch - Beamer Conservation Area Grimsby, Ontario, Canada 50TH SPRING MIGRATION COUNT IN 2024 Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 27, 2024 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 220 2478 2488 Osprey 0 0 0 Bald Eagle 4 55 55 Northern Harrier 1 21 22 Sharp-shinned Hawk 6 22 23 Cooper's Hawk 0 52 52 American Goshawk 0 1 1 Red-shouldered Hawk 4 169 169 Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 0 Red-tailed Hawk 15 429 440 Rough-legged Hawk 0 2 2 Golden Eagle 0 8 8 American Kestrel 1 7 7 Merlin 0 5 5 Peregrine Falcon 0 1 1 Unknown Accipiter 2 3 3 Unknown Buteo 1 8 8 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle 0 4 4 Unknown Raptor 2 13 13 Total: 256 3278 3301 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 07:45:00 Observation end time: 15:15:00 Total observation time: 7.5 hours Official Counter: Simon Carter Observers: Bill Lamond, Denys Gardiner, Jude Szabo Visitors: Kaia Jasper and Phil Vriend helped with spotting during much of the day. Bruce Marion, Dale from Mississauga, and Dave and Leslie from Brantford visited and spent some time on the tower. A few groups of hikers and the usual dog walkers passed by, quite a few stopped to check the count notice board. Weather: Overnight rain had stopped around dawn, and there was no further precipitation. A steady south westerly wind, occasionally gusting to 40-50km/h, persisted throughout the day, with only a few brief lulls, creating a strong headwind for migrants. Cloud cover increased gradually during the day, and temperatures did not get above 10C, so there was little lift for birds moving W. Raptor Observations: Migration was mainly to the north and south of the tower, only a few birds passed directly over the tower. A steady stream of Turkey Vultures continued throughout the day, tapering off rapidly around 3pm. Bald Eagles, Buteos and Sharp-shinned Hawks were sparse, most were north of the escarpment. The Bald Eagles were far to the north, visible only through binoculars/scopes. Local Red-tailed hawks and Coopers Hawks were active during the morning and mid-day hours. Non-raptor Observations: Three Wood-ducks and three Sandhill Cranes made early flypasts, and the usual passerine migrants and residents were active during the morning hours. Predictions: Possibly better than today, if the wind does not get too strong. The overnight frost may mean a slow start. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Simon Carter () 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!!!