Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch - Beamer Conservation Area Grimsby, Ontario, Canada Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 27, 2023 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 1 1 Turkey Vulture 1 2687 6253 Osprey 1 31 32 Bald Eagle 2 39 89 Northern Harrier 2 31 46 Sharp-shinned Hawk 20 1134 1182 Cooper's Hawk 2 69 103 Northern Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 53 374 Broad-winged Hawk 110 3348 3348 Red-tailed Hawk 5 465 1040 Rough-legged Hawk 0 2 8 Golden Eagle 0 2 7 American Kestrel 0 35 44 Merlin 0 5 7 Peregrine Falcon 0 1 4 Unknown Accipiter 0 11 14 Unknown Buteo 0 10 22 Unknown Falcon 0 3 3 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 3 26 31 Short-eared Owl 0 0 1 Swainson's Hawk 0 1 1 Total: 146 7954 12610 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 07:30:00 Observation end time: 15:30:00 Total observation time: 8 hours Official Counter: Simon Carter Observers: John Niewiadomski, Phil Waggett, Tim Foran Visitors: Phil Wagget and Tim Foran spotted for much of the day, and John Niewiadomski for the last hour. Steve Vine visited for the first hour. Bob Grosse helped with spotting from mid-morning until close. Joe and Heather Lucas visiting from Oshawa joined us on the tower and a dozen children came up & chatted mid-afternoon. Many dog-walkers and hikers in the park. Weather: Clear skies all day, with light to moderate north-easterly winds. Raptor Observations: Eight species over the course of the day, but in lower numbers than expected, given the good conditions. A slow trickle, increasing until midday, of Broad-winged Hawks and Sharp-shinned Hawks, a few Red-tailed Hawk, two each of Northern Harrier, Bald Eagle and Cooper's hawk, and a single Osprey. Local Turkey Vultures were very active all day, however there was only one likely migrant south of the farm in the morning hours. A Black Vulture appeared with local Turkey Vultures, flew West, then returned and flew East, not to be seen again (not counted). After a lull between 12:00 and 13:00, the flight moved mostly south, and a few distant kettles of Broad-winged Hawks were counted. Flight finished shortly after 15:00. Non-raptor Observations: No new migrants. An Eastern Phoebe with very yellow underparts was notable, as were many singing Ruby-crowned Kinglets. An Eastern Towhee sung briefly in the first hour. Tree, Barn and Northern Rough-winged Swallows were active all day. Flyovers included Great Blue Heron, Double-crested Cormorants and Ring-billed Gulls. Predictions: There are birds in the pipeline - Derby Hill had 900 Broad-winged Hawks today, so if the forecast easterly winds continue, and the rain holds off, there could be a better flight than today. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Simon Carter () 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!!!