Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch - Beamer Conservation Area Grimsby, Ontario, Canada 50TH SPRING MIGRATION COUNT IN 2024 Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 09, 2024 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 1 Turkey Vulture 439 3463 6966 Osprey 1 5 5 Bald Eagle 9 13 76 Northern Harrier 2 9 34 Sharp-shinned Hawk 154 209 271 Cooper's Hawk 31 59 125 American Goshawk 0 0 1 Red-shouldered Hawk 7 20 239 Broad-winged Hawk 1 1 1 Red-tailed Hawk 55 135 715 Rough-legged Hawk 1 1 3 Golden Eagle 0 0 9 American Kestrel 10 12 19 Merlin 1 3 10 Peregrine Falcon 0 1 2 Unknown Accipiter 2 2 6 Unknown Buteo 6 7 19 Unknown Falcon 0 0 1 Unknown Eagle 0 0 8 Unknown Raptor 1 6 29 Total: 720 3946 8540 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 17:00:00 Total observation time: 8.5 hours Official Counter: Catherine Manschot Observers: Cynthia, David Bird, Diana and Rick, Emily Gorda, Gianpiero Tondina, John, John Hannah Visitors: I was fortunate to have many visitors that could serve as observers so we had eyes identifying raptors from the north, south and easterly frontiers. Weather: The day started off in the single digits but shot up to a balmy 21 degrees celsius as the day progressed. Wind was mainly from the south but gentle all day. In the mid-afternoon there were some very warm and gentle winds which made it feel like summer. Overall the cloud cover was minimal. Raptor Observations: The migration was steady and birds ("dots") could be spotted without binoculars. The scope was needed for those that were far away to the south (but still moving west). We had a diverse representation with a token Osprey, Rough-legged Hawk (dark morph) and an early Broad-winged Hawk. We had all four buteo species today, and lots of SSHA and a decent number of COHA as well. John Hannah captured a photo of the RLHA and the BWHA. Also, two falcon species were seen. Non-raptor Observations: Predictions: Light winds look like they will be moving northeast tomorrow so raptors may not "turn the corner" and go west between Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. However, perhaps today was a sign of some momemtum taking place with raptors catching a leading line to the west between the lakes. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Catherine Manschot (hitthetrail.manschot@gmail.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!!!