Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch - Beamer Conservation Area Grimsby, Ontario, Canada OVER 50 YEARS Of ANNUAL SPRING COUNTS Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 21, 2025 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 195 1757 1757 Osprey 0 1 1 Bald Eagle 5 36 36 Northern Harrier 0 9 9 Sharp-shinned Hawk 5 102 102 Cooper's Hawk 0 36 37 American Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 16 205 205 Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 0 Red-tailed Hawk 34 351 351 Rough-legged Hawk 0 6 6 Golden Eagle 1 1 1 American Kestrel 0 2 2 Merlin 0 2 2 Peregrine Falcon 0 2 2 Unknown Accipitrine 0 2 2 Unknown Buteo 4 12 12 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 1 2 2 Total: 261 2526 2527 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 07:45:00 Observation end time: 15:45:00 Total observation time: 8 hours Official Counter: Katherine Stoltz Observers: Keith Dieroff Visitors: Many thanks to Akshay from Milton, a first-timer to Beamer, Sean from Hamilton, Terri and Mike from Fonthill, and a cameo appearance by Keith Dieroff just in time to see the Golden Eagle. Weather: Winds calm in the early morning, building to sustained 24 km SW winds with gusts of 35 km. Sky appeared blue to the naked eye, but with binoculars, there was a dirty haze which obscured view. Later in the day, contrails and high wisps of cloud to the south provided some contrast and eye relief. Raptor Observations: With no qualified spotter for 7 of the 8 hours and no clear flightpath until the final hour, it was a challenging day. The strong southwest winds later in the day pushed many birds to the far north. That being said, we had 7 species, dominated by Turkey Vultures. BOD was an adult Golden Eagle soaring low near the tower. Local CH and RT were active, especially in the afternoon, and local TV's made a nuisance of themselves. Non-raptor Observations: Very little non-raptor migration. Best sighting was a Belted Kingfisher vocalizing in flight over the tower. Predictions: Light showers predicted in the morning, followed by mix of sun and cloud with dropping temps and strong NW winds. Not optimal for a strong flight, but you never know. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Katherine Stoltz (Katherine Stoltzstoltz.katherine@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!!!