This notice has been posted with the permission of the coordinator. The Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch will undertake its annual count of migrating diurnal raptors at Beamer Memorial Conservation Area above Grimsby from March 1 to May 15, but a number of restrictions will apply, because of COVID-19. We have met with staff of the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority (NPCA) to develop protocols so that we can conform to public health guidelines. The NPCA is discussing these protocols with Niagara Health, the Town of Grimsby and By-law officers. Public health guidelines can change in response to changing conditions, but the following conditions will apply at least initially: 1. Access to the tower will be restricted to one counter and one spotter, whose names have been submitted to NPCA. There will be no public access during the hours of the count. 2. Outside gatherings are limited and the permitted numbers vary among regions and can change, and so we ask that you do not congregate at Beamer. The Town of Grimsby and the By-law Office will be responsible for enforcement. While we normally encourage visitors to come, we ask that you not gather at Beamer. Our experience last year demonstrated that migrating raptors can be seen close to the escarpment between Grimsby and Stoney Creek, after which the flight is more dispersed. 3. The gate will remain closed. Parking will be restricted to the parking lot outside the gate and no parking is permitted on Quarry Road. 4. Washrooms will be closed. We ask that all respect these provisions to stop the spread of COVID-19. By doing so, you will protect yourself, the community and not endanger the permission we received to conduct the count. Sandy Darling Keith Dieroff Count Coordinator President & Treasurer darlinga@cogeco.ca <mailto:darlinga@cogeco.ca> kdieroff@yahoo.ca <mailto:kdieroff@yahoo.ca> 905 689 7481