Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch - Beamer Conservation Area Grimsby, Ontario, Canada OVER 50 YEARS Of ANNUAL SPRING COUNTS Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 19, 2025 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 724 1420 1420 Osprey 1 1 1 Bald Eagle 8 31 31 Northern Harrier 0 9 9 Sharp-shinned Hawk 51 90 90 Cooper's Hawk 8 35 36 American Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 91 177 177 Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 0 Red-tailed Hawk 94 313 313 Rough-legged Hawk 2 4 4 Golden Eagle 0 0 0 American Kestrel 2 2 2 Merlin 0 2 2 Peregrine Falcon 0 2 2 Unknown Accipitrine 0 2 2 Unknown Buteo 7 8 8 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 1 1 Total: 988 2097 2098 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 8 hours Official Counter: Bill Lamond Observers: Gianpiero Tondina, Jean Iron, Matt Mills, Sheldon McGregor, Simon Carter, Tim Foran Visitors: Visitors today included Bob Stamp, Debbie Garbe, Brad Reinhardt. Mike Copeland was there with his mother, the son and wife of NPH founder Dave Copeland. I regret I did not remember Mrs Copeland's first name. Weather: A fine day weather-wise with fairly steady and brisk S to SSW winds and a high temperature of 23 degrees Celsius. Although the sky was half-clouds for most of the day it was light cloud and bright and thus sun-screen was needed for those with sensitive skin. The clouds were of great aid to the spotters for picking out those hawks that were high. Raptor Observations: A very good day for hawks. 11 species were noted. Hawks started moving from the get-go with vultures, Red-shoulders and Sharp-shins noted throughout the day, with vultures peaking in the last hour. Normally I would say the number of RSHA was the highlight but a very early Osprey definitely took first prize. As noted by Matt Mills, the number of SSHA was impressive for the early date. A Peregrine was noted moving rapidly east (therefore not officially on the Count) and a local Harrier did not make the official list. Non-raptor Observations: Typical diurnal spring migrants were noted in the first hour. A large flock of at least 80 Pintails flew over to the north and the first Cormorants of the season were noted. Also of note was one Sandhill Crane, one Tree Swallow, one Pine Siskin and a handful of bluebirds. Predictions: Doubtful that tomorrow will be as fruitful as today. A 70% chance of rain is predicted in the first three hours with a mix of sun and cloud predicted for the remainder of the day and a 30% chance of rain in each hour. Winds will be SW and brisk for almost all of the day with 30km/hr winds in the morning rising to 45 km/hr winds mid-afternoon with gusts up to 65km/hr. High of 12 degrees Celsius predicted but it will likely feel much colder. Dress warmly. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Bill Lamond (bill-lamond@hotmail.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!!!