Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch - Beamer Conservation Area Grimsby, Ontario, Canada OVER 50 YEARS Of ANNUAL SPRING COUNTS Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 28, 2025 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 197 3340 3340 Osprey 0 1 1 Bald Eagle 0 46 46 Northern Harrier 0 11 11 Sharp-shinned Hawk 6 119 119 Cooper's Hawk 1 47 48 American Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 1 215 215 Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 0 Red-tailed Hawk 13 404 404 Rough-legged Hawk 0 6 6 Golden Eagle 0 3 3 American Kestrel 0 3 3 Merlin 0 2 2 Peregrine Falcon 0 2 2 Unknown Accipitrine 0 2 2 Unknown Buteo 0 12 12 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 2 2 Total: 218 4215 4216 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 07:00:00 Observation end time: 15:15:00 Total observation time: 8.25 hours Official Counter: Katherine Stoltz Observers: Colleen Cugini, Gianpiero Tondina Visitors: Ken from Hamilton braved the dodgy weather. Weather: Full cloud deck all day except for a brief reprieve in the 1-2 EST hour. Clouds became progressively more dense and gray until light rain started at 3:15 EST and the count was terminated. Raw east/northeast winds made the high of 5 degrees feel much cooler. Raptor Observations: Although many birds in the pipeline, inclement weather to the west may have inhibited migration. Primarily a Turkey Vulture day with a side order of buteos ( Red-taileds and a lone Red-shouldered) and accipitrines ( Sharpies and a solo Cooper's) Local TV's were active and 7 of them accompanied me eastbound to roost on my way home. Local Cooper's Hawk pair showed nicely, with the male performing courtship flight. A presumably local Merlin flew east. Adult Bald Eagle flew west and then 35 minutes later, another flew east. Adult and juvenile seen heading east in the late afternooon. Flight path predominantly north of tower and directly over the tower, with a few stragglers to the south. All birds easily seen with naked eye. Non-raptor Observations: 2 Great Blue Herons and a Fox Sparrow. Common Raven doing barrel roll. Predictions: Rain off and on predicted. Expectations are low. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Katherine Stoltz (Katherine Stoltzstoltz.katherine@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!!!