Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch - Beamer Conservation Area Grimsby, Ontario, Canada Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 11, 2023 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 1 1 Turkey Vulture 78 1956 5522 Osprey 0 9 10 Bald Eagle 0 23 73 Northern Harrier 1 10 25 Sharp-shinned Hawk 43 339 387 Cooper's Hawk 3 34 68 Northern Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 44 365 Broad-winged Hawk 0 1 1 Red-tailed Hawk 1 344 919 Rough-legged Hawk 0 2 8 Golden Eagle 0 0 5 American Kestrel 0 12 21 Merlin 0 3 5 Peregrine Falcon 0 0 3 Unknown Accipiter 0 6 9 Unknown Buteo 0 3 15 Unknown Falcon 0 1 1 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 5 10 Short-eared Owl 0 0 1 Total: 126 2793 7449 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 7 hours Official Counter: Tom Thomas Observers: Dave Sked, Gianpiero Tondina Visitors: Nina, Rob Buchanan, Ben Oldfield, young Gabriel street who brought along his dad Chris, Jerry Bloom, Mary Jane. Weather: 11 degrees at the start of the count and we were ready for a warm day. Unfortunately there was a strong cross wind blowing from the south which was a blessing at times because a good sunblock was needed in case of sunburn. By early afternoon heavy clouds moved in and cooled things off a little. Raptor Observations: Owing to the strong south wind, a good flight never materialized. The flight was dominated by Turkey Vultures and Sharp-shins. I don't think we have had a day this season with fewer Buteo Hawks than today, with only one Red-tailed Hawk counted. Non-raptor Observations: Yellow-rumped Warbler (4), Eastern Phoebe, Ruby-crowned and Gold-crowned Kinglets, Common Loons, Rough-winged Swallows, Belted Kingfisher, Bonaparte's Gull, Great Blue Herons, and Chipping Sparrow. Predictions: A bit hard to predict, depends what's in the pipeline. Maybe the strong south winds of today will have brought up some birds for tomorrow. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Tom Thomas (tthomas@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!!!