Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch - Beamer Conservation Area Grimsby, Ontario, Canada OVER 50 YEARS Of ANNUAL SPRING COUNTS Daily Raptor Counts: May 09, 2026 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 2 Turkey Vulture 16 120 6769 Osprey 0 4 44 Bald Eagle 2 14 92 Northern Harrier 0 7 52 Sharp-shinned Hawk 36 109 1020 Cooper's Hawk 0 8 134 American Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 357 Broad-winged Hawk 7 96 2547 Red-tailed Hawk 3 25 527 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 7 Golden Eagle 0 0 7 American Kestrel 0 1 42 Merlin 0 0 6 Peregrine Falcon 0 2 7 Unknown Accipitrine 0 0 12 Unknown Buteo 0 1 28 Unknown Falcon 0 0 1 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 1 35 Total: 64 388 11689 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 14:30:00 Total observation time: 6.5 hours Official Counter: Simon Carter Observers: Visitors: Craig with daughters Clara and Nathalie, from Cayuga; Dave and Cat from Toronto/Grimsby; a local teacher and three kids, a couple from Dundas, and a few dads/grandpas with young sons & grandsons climbed the tower for the view and a chat. Many dog-walkers and hikers in the park today. Weather: A fine spring day, though still a bit chilly on the tower due to moderately strong southerly winds. Temperatures rose from 10C at 8.00EST to 17C at 12.00 EST, then began to decline. Winds were light, SSW, picking up from around 10.00, and gusting strongly from time to time. A frontal system began to move in around 2.00pm, when the skies became overcast. Raptor Observations: A steady stream of Sharp-shinned Hawks throughout most of the morning, with a few individuals of four other species. Flight line was along the escarpment for most birds, with a few coming over or just south of the tower. A few birds were able to take advantage of thermals (where the local Turkey Vultures were often to be found ), some of the Buteos and the occasional Sharp-shinned Hawk. An adult Bald eagle flew west at 11.35, and a first year Bald Eagle at 11.50. Since neither bird returned, both were counted as migrants. A pair of local Red-tailed Hawks, the local male Cooper's Hawk, male Northern Harrier and possibly a local Sharp-shinned Hawk were active. Non-raptor Observations: Birdsong was less evident due to the wind, and no warblers were seen. Wood Duck, Common Loon, four species of Swallow, two cavorting Ravens and a male Indigo Bunting were highlights. Predictions: Probably similar to today, though more sun likely. Take layers, it will be cool in the wind. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Simon Carter () 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. ©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!!!