Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch - Beamer Conservation Area Grimsby, Ontario, Canada 50TH SPRING MIGRATION COUNT IN 2024 Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 08, 2024 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 1 Turkey Vulture 41 3024 6527 Osprey 1 4 4 Bald Eagle 1 4 67 Northern Harrier 1 7 32 Sharp-shinned Hawk 8 55 117 Cooper's Hawk 4 28 94 American Goshawk 0 0 1 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 13 232 Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 0 Red-tailed Hawk 2 80 660 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 2 Golden Eagle 0 0 9 American Kestrel 1 2 9 Merlin 0 2 9 Peregrine Falcon 0 1 2 Unknown Accipiter 0 0 4 Unknown Buteo 0 1 13 Unknown Falcon 0 0 1 Unknown Eagle 0 0 8 Unknown Raptor 5 5 28 Total: 64 3226 7820 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 8 hours Official Counter: John Stevens Observers: Bouwe Bergsma, Gianpiero Tondina, John Niewiadomski Visitors: Numerous visitors to the tower on a day without school. For the eclipse, there were well over one hundred spectators spread out around the tower in chairs, on groundsheets, etc. Mike Kirchin and Mike Jr. were a big help. Weather: Light to very light winds, generally from the northeast. Seasonal temperature around 10C, Fully overcast for the morning with very minor breaks starting around 10 EST until about 2:15 EST when the skies cleared briefly allowing for a full view of the total eclipse, thereafter a mix of sun and cloud. Raptor Observations: Almost no flight despite the favourable winds and lack of precipitation. Local CH seen a few times and several of the TVs circulated about. Strangely, most migrants were far to the north or south of the tower. Non-raptor Observations: A few Great Blue Herons, a tight flock of gulls, several Double-crested Cormorants, pair of Wood Ducks, Pileated Woodpecker Predictions: Warmer temperatures might help the tally. We are in prime season for a good variety. ======================================================================== Report submitted by John Stevens (jrstevens@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!!!