Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch - Beamer Conservation Area Grimsby, Ontario, Canada Daily Raptor Counts: May 06, 2023 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 2 3 Turkey Vulture 62 163 6434 Osprey 1 5 38 Bald Eagle 1 2 93 Northern Harrier 3 3 51 Sharp-shinned Hawk 47 107 1338 Cooper's Hawk 2 8 114 Northern Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 374 Broad-winged Hawk 165 290 3640 Red-tailed Hawk 11 22 1062 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 8 Golden Eagle 0 0 7 American Kestrel 0 0 45 Merlin 0 0 7 Peregrine Falcon 0 2 6 Unknown Accipiter 0 1 15 Unknown Buteo 1 4 26 Unknown Falcon 0 0 3 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 1 32 Short-eared Owl 0 0 1 Swainson's Hawk 0 0 1 Total: 293 610 13298 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 07:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 9 hours Official Counter: Markus Legzdins Observers: Gianpiero Tondina Visitors: Dominique Collado from St. Catherines helped spot many raptors from 9:10 to 12:20. Felix Chen from Toronto took photos and helped spot distant raptors for nearly 2 hours. John N. shared his wonderful birding experiences with us as well as spotting a few significant kettles. Weather: Weather was very pleasing today! Light NE breeze throughout the day, sunny skies with some cloud cover (no more than 50%). Temperatures rose gradually, reaching a high of 16 degrees around 3pm. Raptor Observations: In the morning hours, small groups of Broad-winged Hawks offered great looks as they glided directly over the tower and formed small kettles to the West. The Sharp-shinned Hawks took advantage of the thermals and glided a little higher. Around noon, we started to notice that the flight line had moved way South of the tower, further than the "farmhouse". As it warmed up, haze made it near impossible to identify the distant raptors that had taken the new flight line. After 1pm, raptors were few and far between over the tower but were delighted to see an adult Bald Eagle. The local Cooper's Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, and many Turkey Vultures were also out enjoying the spectacular weather. 3 separate Northern Harries were nice to see. Non-raptor Observations: Really good passerine movement between 8am & 11am. Singing Northern Waterthrush right by the sightings board for a few hours, Black-throated Green, Yellow, Yellow-rumped and Palm Warbler. Several flocks of Purple Finch, Pine Siskin and American Goldfinch were flying around. 5 species of swallow and Chimney Swifts. 2 Baltimore Orioles, one Common Raven, and 4 Eastern Bluebirds were also highlights. Predictions: Tomorrow's forecast calls for a little cooler temperatures, 60% chance of rain in the afternoon, and light NW winds. Flight might look something similar to today's with it being productive in the morning and tapering off in the afternoon. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Markus Legzdins (markuslegzdins@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!!!