Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch - Beamer Conservation Area Grimsby, Ontario, Canada 50TH SPRING MIGRATION COUNT IN 2024 Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 04, 2024 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 7 18 28 Osprey 0 0 0 Bald Eagle 0 2 2 Northern Harrier 0 0 1 Sharp-shinned Hawk 0 0 1 Cooper's Hawk 1 2 2 American Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 0 Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 0 Red-tailed Hawk 5 14 25 Rough-legged Hawk 0 1 1 Golden Eagle 0 1 1 American Kestrel 0 0 0 Merlin 0 0 0 Peregrine Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Accipiter 0 0 0 Unknown Buteo 1 1 1 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 1 1 Total: 14 40 63 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 09:00:00 Observation end time: 14:45:00 Total observation time: 5.75 hours Official Counter: Michael Macleod Observers: Gianpiero Tondina Visitors: We had a handful of curious guests through the day (~10 people) Weather: Very foggy in the morning, with visibility getting below 100m. The fog partially lifted around 10:00 before coming back in and lifting fully a bit after 11:00. The sky was virtually cloud free aside from the fog, just a few cirrus clouds. Winds were light (0-5km/h) starting from west, moving to southeast, and getting slightly stronger as the day went. Overall, a beautiful day. Raptor Observations: A few resident birds were visible. An apparent pair of resident Cooper's Hawks made a few appearances, as did a red-tail and a couple of reluctant Turkey Vultures. A total of 14 migrants were observed for another slow day. Two additional Turkey Vultures were observed post-count. Non-raptor Observations: A mix of expected birds, but more singing today than yesterday. An American Tree Sparrow joined the feeding Juncos, as did a handful of Song Sparrows that didn't make an appearance yesterday. Predictions: Difficult to say. The weather today had us expecting more birds, but tomorrow looks like a mixed bag for weather. Cautious optimism for the morning, but it looks like good conditions won't be had by noon hour. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Michael Macleod (Michael Macmikemacleod24@gmail.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. ©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!!!