Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch - Beamer Conservation Area Grimsby, Ontario, Canada OVER 50 YEARS Of ANNUAL SPRING COUNTS Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 26, 2025 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 1 1 Turkey Vulture 46 2990 6456 Osprey 0 23 28 Bald Eagle 0 27 73 Northern Harrier 0 18 29 Sharp-shinned Hawk 2 631 751 Cooper's Hawk 0 46 97 American Goshawk 0 1 1 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 17 232 Broad-winged Hawk 0 1949 1949 Red-tailed Hawk 3 289 694 Rough-legged Hawk 0 2 9 Golden Eagle 0 0 3 American Kestrel 0 20 23 Merlin 0 7 9 Peregrine Falcon 0 1 4 Unknown Accipitrine 0 11 13 Unknown Buteo 0 7 19 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle 0 2 2 Unknown Raptor 0 3 5 Total: 51 6045 10398 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 14:00:00 Total observation time: 6 hours Official Counter: Sarah Stover Observers: Phil Waggett Visitors: Many visitors to the Conservation Area trails as well as the Count Board. Two visitors to the tower - a youth and his family member. Both were interested to hear about the activity of the day and share about their previous Osprey sightings(unfortunately none today). Weather: 100% Cloud cover with WNW winds at 31/km for most the count. Temperature at 9 degrees celsius but felt like 5. Light rain for the first 30 minutes of the count. Raptor Observations: Heavy rains overnight and unfavourable flight conditions made for a light day with only three species observed on the migratory route: Turkey Vulture, Red-tailed Hawk and Sharp-shinned Hawk. An adult Bald Eagle was spotted heading East at 9:03 a.m. Local Cooper's Hawk noted on two occasions. A local Red-tailed Hawk was seen throughout the day with most flight activity occuring above treeline in the Corner and Quarry when other birds were present. Turkey Vultures (TV) especially seemed to agitate the Red-tailed as it was observed to chase after TVs on a number of occasions. Non-raptor Observations: Flyovers of other bird species included: Two Common Ravens - one which appeared to be carrying a large meal in its beak, a pair of Great Blue Heron, many unidentified ducks, Wood Duck, Cormorant, Canadian Goose, unidentified Gull, American Crow. Many swallows were busy feasting on insects in the area: Purple Martins, Tree Swallows and Barn Swallows all seen. Other bird species noted in the park: Northern Flicker, White Throated Sparrow, American Robin, Blue Jay, Northern Cardinal. Predictions: Tomorrow's weather forecast calls for sun, clear skies, a high of 16 degrees celcius in the afternoon. In the morning, wind direction expected to be similar to today (WNW) but at lighter speed; expected to shift to a northerly wind in the afternoon. The sun and warmer temp may contribute to some nice thermals for flight but wind conditions may be a challenge. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Sarah Stover (stoversaraha@gmail.com) 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!!!