Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch - Beamer Conservation Area Grimsby, Ontario, Canada Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 10, 2021 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 1 1 1 Turkey Vulture 52 236 236 Osprey 0 0 0 Bald Eagle 6 15 15 Northern Harrier 1 2 2 Sharp-shinned Hawk 2 7 7 Cooper's Hawk 2 3 3 Northern Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 5 8 8 Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 0 Red-tailed Hawk 9 147 147 Rough-legged Hawk 2 5 5 Golden Eagle 0 1 1 American Kestrel 2 2 2 Merlin 0 1 1 Peregrine Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Accipiter 0 0 0 Unknown Buteo 0 0 0 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 0 0 Total: 82 428 428 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 09:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 7 hours Official Counter: Tom Thomas Observers: Peter Booker Weather: A clear and sunny day for the most part, but strong gusty winds from the south. I think our spotter Peter is still at Beamer looking for his hat, and some of my paperwork. Raptor Observations: A good day for raptors considering it's still early March, with 10 species tallied including a Black Vulture which appeared around 2:00 pm. 6 Bald Eagles and two Rough-legs. There was no common flight line, as birds were spotted to the south, over the escarpment, and some right overhead. I did notice a kettle of about 30 Turkey Vultures just south of the Q.E.W. and Woolverton Road while on my way home, so I expect some of the migration may have been missed. Non-raptor Observations: Tundra Swans, Sandhill Cranes, and Killdeer. ======================================================================== 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. 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 park vehicles (along the road) and 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. Parking is normally available inside the park. 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!!!