Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch - Beamer Conservation Area Grimsby, Ontario, Canada OVER 50 YEARS Of ANNUAL SPRING COUNTS Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 29, 2026 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 1 1 Turkey Vulture 0 2343 6638 Osprey 0 35 40 Bald Eagle 0 37 78 Northern Harrier 0 36 45 Sharp-shinned Hawk 0 810 910 Cooper's Hawk 0 54 124 American Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 10 357 Broad-winged Hawk 0 2449 2449 Red-tailed Hawk 0 230 500 Rough-legged Hawk 0 3 7 Golden Eagle 0 5 7 American Kestrel 0 32 41 Merlin 0 2 5 Peregrine Falcon 0 2 5 Unknown Accipitrine 0 6 12 Unknown Buteo 0 6 27 Unknown Falcon 0 1 1 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 19 34 Total: 0 6081 11281 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 07:00:00 Observation end time: 13:00:00 Total observation time: 6 hours Official Counter: Chris Escott Observers: Visitors: Many dog walkers and hikers passed through the Conservation Area, even in the rain, but none came up the tower. Weather: Overcast and dry to start but steady rain started at 10 AM and continued intermittently before becoming steady again around noon, below average temperatures fell slightly throughout the day, and a light breeze from the northeast didn�t last. Radar showed a large area of heavier rain to the south and east, and light rain with fog was settling in on the escarpment, so with little hope of an afternoon flight the count was terminated at 1:00 PM. Raptor Observations: Lots of Turkey Vulture activity, but none really appeared determined to migrate so none were counted, and the local Cooper�s Hawk made one appearance before the rain started. Non-raptor Observations: Lots of White-throated Sparrow, but otherwise a rather boring day with very few migrant passerines and nothing else very exciting. Predictions: Forecast is cool with a moderate breeze from the northwest and a small chance of afternoon showers, not looking great but there should be more migrant raptors than they were today! ======================================================================== Report submitted by Chris Escott (chris@escott.ca) 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!!!