Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch - Beamer Conservation Area Grimsby, Ontario, Canada Daily Raptor Counts: May 01, 2023 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 1 Turkey Vulture 60 60 6331 Osprey 0 0 33 Bald Eagle 0 0 91 Northern Harrier 0 0 48 Sharp-shinned Hawk 19 19 1250 Cooper's Hawk 1 1 107 Northern Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 374 Broad-winged Hawk 23 23 3373 Red-tailed Hawk 0 0 1040 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 8 Golden Eagle 0 0 7 American Kestrel 0 0 45 Merlin 0 0 7 Peregrine Falcon 0 0 4 Unknown Accipiter 0 0 14 Unknown Buteo 0 0 22 Unknown Falcon 0 0 3 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 0 31 Short-eared Owl 0 0 1 Swainson's Hawk 0 0 1 Total: 103 103 12791 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 07:00:00 Observation end time: 16:30:00 Total observation time: 9.5 hours Official Counter: John Stevens Observers: Bouwe Bergsma, Gianpiero Tondina Visitors: Marshall Byle from Kincardine stopped for a while and one gentleman from Toronto whose name I didn't get. Weather: Moderate to strong southwesterly winds. Mostly overcast with frequent intermittent showers and very brief periods of sunshine. Clearing somewhat after 3 pm EST. Still cool on the tower in the wind. Raptor Observations: A most frustrating day what with taking cover from the rain and with birds moving in the normal western direction but also to the east requiring us to scan in 360 degrees. Seven BW went east and 16 west. 13 SS went west and six went east. The vulture count represents the net west as they regularly cycle around. The hawk counts are the totals. Local RT seen a few times. Non-raptor Observations: Perhaps it was the wind but there was little evidence of other birds. Predictions: Looks like a copy of today but with lighter winds. ======================================================================== 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!!!