Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch - Beamer Conservation Area Grimsby, Ontario, Canada Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 12, 2023 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 1 1 Turkey Vulture 161 2117 5683 Osprey 2 11 12 Bald Eagle 1 24 74 Northern Harrier 1 11 26 Sharp-shinned Hawk 93 432 480 Cooper's Hawk 0 34 68 Northern Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 44 365 Broad-winged Hawk 6 7 7 Red-tailed Hawk 8 352 927 Rough-legged Hawk 0 2 8 Golden Eagle 0 0 5 American Kestrel 7 19 28 Merlin 1 4 6 Peregrine Falcon 0 0 3 Unknown Accipiter 0 6 9 Unknown Buteo 0 3 15 Unknown Falcon 1 2 2 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 5 10 Short-eared Owl 0 0 1 Total: 281 3074 7730 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 8 hours Official Counter: Catherine Manschot Observers: Bill Lamond, Sheldon McGregor Visitors: We had several visitors who were keen to help with the count including two gentlemen named John and a school group of five children keen to learn about birding and raptors. A big thank you to Bill Lamond and Sheldon MacGregor who worked with me as Official Counters as well as Nick Lonski who also helped with spotting birds and identifying them. A great day on the tower! Weather: It was a balmy day with brief episodic breezes that were very much welcomed. The cloud cover was next to nil so suncreen was applied often! Raptor Observations: We had good diversity including Red-tailed Hawks, Ospreys, a Northern Harrier(Female/Juvenile, Bald Eagle (Immature), 7 American Kestrels, a Merlin, 6 Broad-winged Hawks and a large number of Sharp-shinned Hawks (93!). Most notable was one Red-tailed Hawk which was a dark morph showing dark underside wing coverts and body. Flight feathers were light but barred and tail was red with dark barring with a thicker dark sub-terminal band. Possible Calurus sub-species. Non-raptor Observations: Lots of passerine diversity and some notable species including a Wild Turkey that perched in a tree, a Belted Kingfisher, 3 Rough-winged Swallows, 2 Purple Martins, 4 Tree Swallos and 1 Barn Swallow. We also had a Purple Finch, an Eastern Bluebird, a Chipping Sparrow and 2 Myrtle Warblers. Complete list can be found on ebird. Predictions: I suspect tomorrow will bring similar results as today as the winds look like they will continue to move to the north-northeast and the temperature will follow a similar trajectory. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Catherine Manschot (hitthetrail.manschot@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!!!