Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch - Beamer Conservation Area Grimsby, Ontario, Canada Daily Raptor Counts: May 11, 2023 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 3 4 Turkey Vulture 4 229 6500 Osprey 0 7 40 Bald Eagle 0 4 95 Northern Harrier 0 4 52 Sharp-shinned Hawk 2 119 1350 Cooper's Hawk 0 11 117 Northern Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 374 Broad-winged Hawk 0 317 3667 Red-tailed Hawk 1 37 1077 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 8 Golden Eagle 1 3 10 American Kestrel 0 0 45 Merlin 0 0 7 Peregrine Falcon 0 2 6 Unknown Accipiter 0 1 15 Unknown Buteo 0 4 27 Unknown Falcon 0 0 2 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 1 32 Short-eared Owl 0 0 1 Swainson's Hawk 0 0 1 Total: 8 742 13430 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 07:45:00 Observation end time: 12:45:00 Total observation time: 5 hours Official Counter: Sandy Darling Observers: Visitors: None Weather: Day started with cloud cover of 30% which increased to 98% at 10:00 EST and later 100% with winds up to force 5 from south to west direction. Cloud started to clear at 10:45, wind dropped and temperature rose into 20s. Birds got blown to Braddock Bay which had hundreds of birds today. Early viewing against clouds was easy, but later one had to scan, but this found mainly local RTs, CHs and TVs. Raptor Observations: The first bird of the day at 10:15 was a GOLDEN EAGLE flying EAST. It must have roosted somewhere overnight and decided that it was easy to ride a force 5 wind, so it passed quickly with little wing-movement at a low height for an eagle. Non-raptor Observations: Over 20 non-raptor species including 3 Eastern Bluebirds low over the tower to start the day, Rose-breasted Grosbeak (heard), Chimney Swifts, Belted Kingfisher and Wood Thrush. A photographer reported Palm and Black-throated Green Warblers in the woods. Predictions: Probably slow again ======================================================================== Report submitted by Sandy Darling (darlinga@cogeco.ca) 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!!!