Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch - Beamer Conservation Area Grimsby, Ontario, Canada 50TH SPRING MIGRATION COUNT IN 2024 Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 06, 2024 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 1 Turkey Vulture 2059 2226 5729 Osprey 1 2 2 Bald Eagle 1 2 65 Northern Harrier 0 0 25 Sharp-shinned Hawk 5 9 71 Cooper's Hawk 2 2 68 American Goshawk 0 0 1 Red-shouldered Hawk 1 3 222 Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 0 Red-tailed Hawk 17 32 612 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 2 Golden Eagle 0 0 9 American Kestrel 1 1 8 Merlin 0 1 8 Peregrine Falcon 1 1 2 Unknown Accipiter 0 0 4 Unknown Buteo 1 1 13 Unknown Falcon 0 0 1 Unknown Eagle 0 0 8 Unknown Raptor 0 0 23 Total: 2089 2280 6874 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 8 hours Official Counter: Philip Waggett Observers: Gianpiero Tondina, Kevin Empey Visitors: A huge shoutout to Gianpiero Tondina and Kevin Empey who were the spotters today. Dan Birkenbergs, Joedy Groulx, and Luc Fazio were also invaluable in spotting the birds, especially to the south. Weather: A pleasant spring day with only a few clouds. A bit of a wind chill with a moderate north wind off the lake, later shifting to ENE in the last two hours of the count. Raptor Observations: In many years of counting at Beamer, I can't remember a day in which turkey vultures so totally dominated the count. The primary vulture migration was between the tower and the escarpment, with about 20% of the vulture count far to the south of the tower. Two adult bald eagles were noted, although the first one at 8:30 was flying east and not counted. Also noted today was our second osprey of the season and a juvenile (1 year old) peregrine falcon. Local coops, red-tails, and turkey vultures were very active today, especially in the morning. Non-raptor Observations: 7 Sandhill Cranes were observed in groups of 5 and 2. The pileated woodpecker (male) again was present. One belted kingfisher was noted as well as a raven that flew along the escarpment. The park contained several song sparrows as well as two northern flickers. Predictions: Tomorrow's weather forecast is very good with north east winds predicted. There seems to be lots of birds in the pipeline; although today's flight died quickly just before 3:45, the hawkwatch at Ripley New York had a big flight as did Braddock's Bay and Derby Hill. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Phillip Waggett (philip waggett <philipwaggett@hotmail.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. &copy;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!!!