Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch - Beamer Conservation Area Grimsby, Ontario, Canada 50TH SPRING MIGRATION COUNT IN 2024 Daily Raptor Counts: May 02, 2024 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 2 Turkey Vulture 61 68 8211 Osprey 0 0 23 Bald Eagle 1 1 117 Northern Harrier 0 1 58 Sharp-shinned Hawk 10 18 697 Cooper's Hawk 1 3 181 American Goshawk 0 0 2 Red-shouldered Hawk 1 1 242 Broad-winged Hawk 10 16 1178 Red-tailed Hawk 1 2 844 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 4 Golden Eagle 0 0 10 American Kestrel 0 0 36 Merlin 0 1 13 Peregrine Falcon 0 0 4 Unknown Accipiter 0 0 9 Unknown Buteo 0 1 32 Unknown Falcon 0 0 1 Unknown Eagle 0 0 9 Unknown Raptor 1 2 58 Total: 86 114 11731 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 07:30:00 Observation end time: 14:30:00 Total observation time: 7 hours Official Counter: Kevin Empey, Sandy Darling Observers: Gianpiero Tondina, Kevin Empey, Phil Waggett Visitors: None who stayed Weather: Temperature ranged from 10 to 20 C, virtually no cloud. Wind moderate and becoming from NE. Raptor Observations: Despite winds with an easterly component birds continue to go round the other end of Lake Ontario. I am surprised that TVs continue to migrate. A squadron of 12 TVS showed birds where the air stream was so we had 51 migrants in the 10:00 to 11:00 hour. Non-raptor Observations: 28 non=raptor species with more at the quarry. Phoebe, Least Flycatcher, Wood Thrush Eastern Towhee and others. Predictions: Much the same until rain later ======================================================================== Report submitted by Sandy Darling (darlinga@cogeco.ca) 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!!!