Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch - Beamer Conservation Area Grimsby, Ontario, Canada 50TH SPRING MIGRATION COUNT IN 2024 Daily Raptor Counts: May 01, 2024 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 2 Turkey Vulture 7 7 8150 Osprey 0 0 23 Bald Eagle 0 0 116 Northern Harrier 1 1 58 Sharp-shinned Hawk 8 8 687 Cooper's Hawk 2 2 180 American Goshawk 0 0 2 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 241 Broad-winged Hawk 6 6 1168 Red-tailed Hawk 1 1 843 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 4 Golden Eagle 0 0 10 American Kestrel 0 0 36 Merlin 1 1 13 Peregrine Falcon 0 0 4 Unknown Accipiter 0 0 9 Unknown Buteo 1 1 32 Unknown Falcon 0 0 1 Unknown Eagle 0 0 9 Unknown Raptor 1 1 57 Total: 28 28 11645 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 06:45:00 Observation end time: 14:30:00 Total observation time: 7.75 hours Official Counter: Simon Carter Observers: Visitors: Ryk Naves visited the park during the morning, including some time on the tower. A scout for "Murdoch Mysteries", whose name I forgot to get, took photos of the park from all angles, including from the tower, but did not seem to be interested in the Hawkwatch. Mike Stel, a birder from Smithville, brought groups of 4th graders from John Calvin Elementary up the tower to explain the Hawkwatch, and I answered some of their questions. Many dog walkers and hikers were out enjoying the beautiful spring weather. Weather: Fog until 08:15, clearing completely by 09:00. Light south-easterly breeze, strengthening and becoming southerly around 12:00. Sunny periods through the morning, and clear skies after 14:00. Raptor Observations: A slow trickle, though good variety, of migrants, highlights being a female/immature Northern Harrier and a Merlin. Most migrants passed north of the tower, a few directly overhead, and a couple way to the south (unidentified birds). Three Bald Eagles made appearances from the East, all returned; an Adult, a 4/5 year bird, and a first year. Local Cooper's hawks, Red-tailed Hawks and Turkey vultures were active after 9:00am. Non-raptor Observations: Lots of migrants, particularly warblers (Pine, Black-throated Green, Yellow-rumped, Black and White, and singles of Nashville, American Redstart). Brown Thrasher, Eastern Towhees and Gray Catbirds were vocal. Two Sandhill Cranes passed close to the tower around 13:25, flying West, one was photographed and appeared to have a broken leg. Predictions: Similar conditions and numbers as today, winds northerly. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Simon Carter () 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!!!