Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch - Beamer Conservation Area (25 Apr 2026) Raptors

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Apr 25, 2026, 7:12:43 PMApr 25
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Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch - Beamer Conservation Area
Grimsby, Ontario, Canada

OVER 50 YEARS Of ANNUAL SPRING COUNTS

Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 25, 2026
SpeciesDay's CountMonth TotalSeason Total
Black Vulture011
Turkey Vulture023116606
Osprey02934
Bald Eagle03475
Northern Harrier03241
Sharp-shinned Hawk0725825
Cooper's Hawk047117
American Goshawk000
Red-shouldered Hawk010357
Broad-winged Hawk022362236
Red-tailed Hawk0222492
Rough-legged Hawk037
Golden Eagle057
American Kestrel03039
Merlin025
Peregrine Falcon025
Unknown Accipitrine0410
Unknown Buteo0627
Unknown Falcon011
Unknown Eagle000
Unknown Raptor01833
Total:0571810918


Observation start time: 10:45:00
Observation end time: 13:00:00
Total observation time: 2.25 hours
Official CounterJohn Hannah
Observers:



Visitors:
A dozen or so dog-walkers and hikers visited the park, but none climbed the tower.

Weather:
There was 100% cloud cover, limited visibility, and a stiff NE wind all day. Steady rain until 10:45 AM; stopped briefly until 13:00. After that, it drizzled for 30 minutes, and then the rain resumed.

Raptor Observations:
During the mid-day reprieve from the rain, local raptors appeared. Five Turkey Vultures circled, and one flew past the tower below eye level. A Red-Tailed Hawk was kiting over "Poole's," and a lone adult Bald Eagle flew east along the escarpment ridge.

Non-raptor Observations:
When the rain let up, the flock of White-Throated Sparrows appeared first, to brighten a dreary day, followed by a mixed flock of Yellow-Rumped Warblers, a Blue-Headed Vireo, a singing Black-Throated Green Warbler, and several kinglets (both kinds) and a couple of chickadees.

Predictions:
I expect a much improved raptor migration day tomorrow.


Report submitted by John hannah (hannah...@gmail.com )
Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch - Beamer Conservation Area information may be found at: http://nphawkwatch.ca/
More information at hawkcount.org: [Site Profile] [Day Summary] [Month Summary]




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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