Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch - Beamer Conservation Area
Grimsby, Ontario, Canada
OVER 50 YEARS Of ANNUAL SPRING COUNTS
Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 25, 2026
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Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture 0 0 0
Turkey Vulture 1043 2135 2143
Osprey 0 1 1
Bald Eagle 5 35 35
Northern Harrier 1 7 8
Sharp-shinned Hawk 12 30 30
Cooper's Hawk 7 37 37
American Goshawk 0 0 0
Red-shouldered Hawk 100 336 336
Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 0
Red-tailed Hawk 104 208 208
Rough-legged Hawk 0 4 4
Golden Eagle 0 2 2
American Kestrel 1 6 6
Merlin 0 2 2
Peregrine Falcon 0 2 2
Unknown Accipitrine 3 4 4
Unknown Buteo 9 12 12
Unknown Falcon 0 0 0
Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
Unknown Raptor 0 7 7
Total: 1285 2828 2837
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Observation start time: 08:00:00
Observation end time: 15:00:00
Total observation time: 7 hours
Official Counter: John Blanchard
Observers: Gianpiero Tondina, Jean Iron, Katherine Stoltz,
Shannon Hingston, Susan Fraser
Visitors:
Many visitors passed through and helped out for a few hours, John H spent
most of the day counting hundreds of vultures passing well south with his
scope. Dave Archibell and Marco both spent a few hours with us.
Weather:
The day started with fairly clear skies and temps of 2 degrees C and a very
light south wind. The wind gradually picked up and shifted throughout the
the day to the East and then North. By 2pm clouds had moved in and the sun
was gone.
Raptor Observations:
A good day for raptors with over 1200 counted. Majority TV, but over 100
each Red-shouldered and Red-tailed hawks. Many of the vultures were seen
using a spotting scope and counting a very steady flight well to the
south.
5 Bald eagles were seen, 3 adult, one juvenile, and one 4th yr.
Non-raptor Observations:
3 Great blue herons and one small flock of tundra swans.
Predictions:
Rain is in the forecast, although there may be a short window in the
morning before it arrives.
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Report submitted by John Blanchard ([email protected])
Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch - Beamer Conservation Area information may be found
at:
http://nphawkwatch.ca/
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!!!
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