Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch - Beamer Conservation Area Grimsby, Ontario, Canada OVER 50 YEARS Of ANNUAL SPRING COUNTS Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 23, 2025 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 246 2132 2132 Osprey 0 1 1 Bald Eagle 3 40 40 Northern Harrier 1 10 10 Sharp-shinned Hawk 0 103 103 Cooper's Hawk 1 38 39 American Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 2 208 208 Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 0 Red-tailed Hawk 5 359 359 Rough-legged Hawk 0 6 6 Golden Eagle 2 3 3 American Kestrel 0 3 3 Merlin 0 2 2 Peregrine Falcon 0 2 2 Unknown Accipitrine 0 2 2 Unknown Buteo 0 12 12 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 2 2 Total: 260 2923 2924 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 7.67 hours Official Counter: Carol Teed, Deena Errampalli Observers: Alicia Dobson, Bob Curry, Carol Teed, Dave Don, Glenda Slessor, Lyn Hanna-Folkes Visitors: Tyler from 88.5 The Lake CKLK FM, the local radio station; Adam, Monika, Axel, Isla, Lily, August, April, and Tim, and sorry we did not get the name of the town they were from. E and Ted from Grimsby. Thanks to the excellent observers for helping with the count: Alicia Dobson (1.75 hours), Lyn Folks (1.75 hours), Dave Don (1.3 hours), Bob Curry (1 hour), and Glenda Slessor (1 hour). Weather: It was a cloudy day. The cloud cover increased from 25- 50% and cleared to 10% around 11 a.m. Then, from 1 pm to 4 pm, there was 90 % cloud cover. The temperature was between -1C and 2C with 14 -20 km/hr east-northeast wind. The wind chill made it very uncomfortable at times. The visibility was 10-14 km. Raptor Observations: We were happy to see 260 raptors: predominantly turkey vultures, followed by red-tailed hawks. Three bald eagles, including an adult, flew over the tower and gave us good views. It was our lucky day to see two golden eagles. In the last hour, we counted six Turkey Vultures only. Non-raptor Observations: Local Cooper’s Hawk made territorial calls. The local turkey vultures and red-tailed Hawks flew around. Six unidentified ducks flew toward the Lake, and two ravens flew east. 12 gulls, including Ring-billed (calls), flew over the tower. The passerines include 20 American Robin, 12 Dark-eyed Junco, a pair of Fox Sparrow, a White-throated Sparrow, a pair of Song Sparrow, many Common Grackle, and a pair of White-breasted Nuthatch. Predictions: The weather forecast for tomorrow is a mix of sun and clouds, with a 40 percent chance of showers. The wind is southwest at 40 km/h, gusting to 70. The high will be 7 C, falling to 5C in the afternoon. The conditions look favourable for raptor migration ======================================================================== Report submitted by Deena Errampalli (deenaerrampalli@bell.net) 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!!!