Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch - Beamer Conservation Area Grimsby, Ontario, Canada 50TH SPRING MIGRATION COUNT IN 2024 Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 21, 2024 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 1 Turkey Vulture 84 4458 7961 Osprey 2 19 19 Bald Eagle 7 44 107 Northern Harrier 1 26 51 Sharp-shinned Hawk 36 472 534 Cooper's Hawk 4 102 168 American Goshawk 0 1 2 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 22 241 Broad-winged Hawk 98 565 565 Red-tailed Hawk 3 221 801 Rough-legged Hawk 0 2 4 Golden Eagle 0 1 10 American Kestrel 1 25 32 Merlin 1 4 11 Peregrine Falcon 0 3 4 Unknown Accipiter 1 3 7 Unknown Buteo 3 17 29 Unknown Falcon 0 0 1 Unknown Eagle 0 1 9 Unknown Raptor 0 23 46 Total: 241 6009 10603 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 08:30:00 Observation end time: 16:30:00 Total observation time: 7 hours Official Counter: Markus Legzdins Observers: Carol Teed, Gianpiero Tondina, Tim Foran Visitors: Owen and Olivia visiting the area from Toronto were keen to know more about raptor migration and identification. Martin Daly from Guelph joined us on the tower for an hour. Weather: High of 9℃ with on and off sunshine. ~20 km/h winds from the west all day. What looked to be snow squalls to the north at 10 AM (EST) but never reached us. Raptor Observations: The flight was once again relatively low with many Sharp-shinned and Broad-winged Hawks passing directly over the tower. Around 12 PM (EST) skies cleared and raptors such as Bald Eagles soared to incredible heights and the Broad-winged flight shifted well north of the tower and also rose to great heights where a scope became essential. I surely would have missed a large part of these birds if it wasn’t for our great team up on the tower; Carol Teed, Gianpiero Tondina, and Tim Foran. A steady flight of raptors throughout the day kept us busy and made for a very enjoyable day. Non-raptor Observations: Four Common Loons, two Wood Ducks, two Purple Martins were observed flying over the park. Singing White-throated Sparrows and Ruby-crowned Kinglets were lovely to hear. Predictions: A sunny day with warmer temperatures and clear skies — could make for a nice flight of Broad-winged Hawks. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Markus Legzdins (markuslegzdins@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!!!