Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch - Beamer Conservation Area Grimsby, Ontario, Canada 50TH SPRING MIGRATION COUNT IN 2024 Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 23, 2024 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 114 1173 1183 Osprey 0 0 0 Bald Eagle 0 48 48 Northern Harrier 0 19 20 Sharp-shinned Hawk 0 16 17 Cooper's Hawk 0 41 41 American Goshawk 0 1 1 Red-shouldered Hawk 1 151 151 Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 0 Red-tailed Hawk 4 363 374 Rough-legged Hawk 0 2 2 Golden Eagle 1 8 8 American Kestrel 0 3 3 Merlin 0 3 3 Peregrine Falcon 0 1 1 Unknown Accipiter 0 1 1 Unknown Buteo 0 7 7 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle 0 1 1 Unknown Raptor 0 8 8 Total: 120 1846 1869 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 09:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 7 hours Official Counter: Philip Waggett Observers: Sarah Stover Visitors: Phil Vriend stopped in for a few hours and Sarah Stover helped with the spotting for two hours in the afternoon. Weather: The day started out overcast with brisk north winds and cold.At about 10.15, the clouds began to break up until blue skies dominated by 11:30. Wind moderated slightly into the NNE and temperatures moderated slightly. Raptor Observations: A few vultures in the first two hours but as the sky cleared, the flight picked up in the afternoon, again dominated by turkey vultures. The buteo flight was disappointing with only 4 red-tails and 1 red-shoulder. The highlight of the day was a subadult golden eagle that flew low over the tower at 1:19. No migrating accipiters were noted although the male coop displayed several times during the watch. Non-raptor Observations: No other migratory activity was noted today. The only noteworthy sighting was a male pileated woodpecker that flew across the park. Predictions: The weather forecast is favourable--clear with winds predominantly out of the north-east. If there are more birds in the pipeline, it could be a repeat of today. Unfortunately, both Braddock's and Derby Hill had few birds today and the hawkwatches at Ripley and Presqu'ile did not operate so no data on the flight is available. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Phillip Waggett (philip waggett <philipwaggett@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. &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!!!