Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch - Beamer Conservation Area Grimsby, Ontario, Canada OVER 50 YEARS Of ANNUAL SPRING COUNTS Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 23, 2025 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 1 1 Turkey Vulture 51 2891 6357 Osprey 1 23 28 Bald Eagle 2 27 73 Northern Harrier 1 18 29 Sharp-shinned Hawk 87 529 649 Cooper's Hawk 5 44 95 American Goshawk 0 1 1 Red-shouldered Hawk 2 17 232 Broad-winged Hawk 776 1947 1947 Red-tailed Hawk 5 282 687 Rough-legged Hawk 0 2 9 Golden Eagle 0 0 3 American Kestrel 2 19 22 Merlin 0 6 8 Peregrine Falcon 1 1 4 Unknown Accipitrine 1 10 12 Unknown Buteo 0 7 19 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle 0 2 2 Unknown Raptor 0 2 4 Total: 934 5829 10182 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 07:00:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 8 hours Official Counter: Gianpiero Tondina, Simon Carter Observers: Gianpiero Tondina, Markus Legzdins, Matt Mills, Simon Carter Visitors: Lots: Frank, Karen, Nicole and sister from Toronto; Stacey and Aiden from Hamilton; Peter Langballe with Emma and her daughter, from Hamilton; Jennifer from Stoney Creek; Dick and Russ from Dundas; Rez and Philip from St. Catherines; Shannon from Beamsville and Vanessa from Hamilton. Weather: Light north to north-easterly winds all day, with varying cloud cover, from 10 to 70%. Still cool on the tower but enough heat to provide good lift to kettles of Broad-winged and Sharp-shinned Hawks, especially to the south of the tower. Raptor Observations: A good movement of Broad-winged and Sharp-shinned Hawks, with individuals and small numbers of ten other species. After a trickle of raptors during the first couple of hours, north of and over the tower, Broad-winged numbers increased after 10.00 EST and the flight line split, with higher numbers in numerous kettles at the limit of binoculars to the south. The flight at Beamer had more or less stopped by 12.30pm EST. (Matt Mills and Markus Legdzins left and found the flight a few kilometres south - another 600+ Broad-winged Hawks - not counted here). Last raptor of the day was a Peregrine Falcon over the tower at 14:10. The Local Coopers and Red-tailed Hawks were active, and a single Merlin flew N-S. Non-raptor Observations: Highlights were a Black-bellied Plover found by Markus, five Sandhill Cranes, four Common Loons, a flock of Purple Finches, two Belted Kingfishers, and a Caspian Tern. Much song from the woods, especially Ruby-crowned Kinglets and White-throated Sparrows. Predictions: Hard to say; temperatures around 20C, mostly westerly winds until the afternoon. Maybe a flight mid to later in the day? ======================================================================== 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!!!