A Foreword by Doug Draper
For those of us who’ve been waiting all the long, cold winter to get outdoors and enjoy the sights and sound of spring, don’t forget the annual migration of hawks, eagles, falcons and vultures through the Niagara region.
A juvenile bald eagle soars over Niagara. Photo copyright courtesy of Jamie Head.
Hawkwatching, which takes in all of these other great birds from hawks to eagles, is becoming an ever more popular past time in this region, especially at this time of year when the birds are migrating north again. If you are lucky, you might catch a rare photo like the one a young Niagara, Ontario resident Jamie Head took this past March over the Mel Swart Conservation Park in Thorold of a young bald eagle soaring over the waters of Lake Gibson.
One of the very best places to enjoy watching these birds over the Easter weekend is the Beamer Memorial Conservation Area – one of the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority’s fine green sites – on top of the Niagara Escarpment in Grimsby.
If you have the time to go and you’ve never been there before, you will not only find the birds overhead, but a beautiful view of Niagara’s greenbelt below and Lake Ontario.
A view from Beamer Memorial Conservation Park. Photo from NPCA website.
Niagara At Large is posting information on the hawkwatch at the Beamer site in Grimsby, circulated by the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority, including instructions on how to get to the site and other details about events occurring there. The same media release reminds area residents about the annual Rainbow Trout fishing event for families this Saturday, April 23 the NPCA’s St. John’s Conservation Area in Pelham, Ontario.
Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority Invites you to Celebrate Spring’s Arrival at Easter Weekend Special Events
Spring like temperatures have us all eagerly anticipating the many ways to celebrate this most anticipated season. So, take time to get up, get out and join us for a breath of fresh air this Easter weekend.
The Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority invites you to join us for two favourite activities which coincides with Earth Day, 2011. On Good Friday, April 22, 2011, grab the binoculars, and head to Beamer Memorial Conservation Area to discover Niagara’s best viewing location for the annual spring migration of hawks, eagles, falcons and vultures.
The annual Hawkwatch Open House activities will take place 10:00 to 3:00. The migration is a spectacular natural phenomenon and Beamer Memorial is the place to be to observe these birds of prey as they make their spring flights from South and Central America, the Caribbean and the United States to their nesting territories in Canada.
Members of the Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch group (NPH) have been at the site since March 1st, monitoring species of these bird populations. John Stevens of the Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch notes, “30 Bald Eagles and 472 beautiful Red-shouldered Hawks were among the record March count of nearly 6,400 raptors observed over Beamer. The cool spring weather in April is delaying much of the flight so we could get a big rush of birds by the time of the Open House” Many interesting activities are being planned for visitors including live hawk demonstrations, ‘Talks on the Hawk Migration’, and a children’s program.
DIRECTIONS TO BEAMER CONSERVATION AREA FROM TORONTO/HAMILTON: Travel along QEW Niagara and take Exit 71, Christie St; Proceed south on Christie St. which turns into Mountain Rd. at RR #81; Follow Mountain Rd. up the escarpment, turn Right onto Ridge Rd.; Turn Right onto Quarry Rd.; 5. Park Entrance is on Quarry Rd.
FROM BUFFALO/NIAGARA. Travel along QEW Toronto and take Exit 71, Christie St.; which turns into Mountain Rd. at RR #81; Follow Mountain Rd. up the escarpment, turn Right onto Ridge Rd.; Turn Right onto Quarry Rd.; 5. Park Entrance is on Quarry Rd.
On Saturday, April 23, trade the binoculars for your fishing licence and fishing rods and come out to St. Johns Conservation Area in Pelham for the opening of Trout Season. The season officially kicks off at 12:00 noon when board member Mickey DiFruscio of Thorold makes the first cast.
The pond is stocked annually with Rainbow Trout courtesy of the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Foundation. This year a contribution has been made by the Kinsmen Club of Fonthill and District towards the event. St. Johns pond offers anglers of all ages and their families a site close to home to enjoy the sport of fishing in a tranquil natural area.
In addition to fishing, the site offers a variety of walking trails where the public can experience the plant and animal life of the unique Carolinian forest, including its Tulip tree stand and variety of songbirds.
A valid fishing license is required and conservation limits apply. Check your Ontario Fishing Regulations for fish limits and details. And please note that fishing is not permitted prior to the official opening on April 23rd.
DIRECTIONS TO ST. JOHNS CONSERVATION AREA FROM TORONTO/HAMILTON: Travel along QEW Niagara and take Exit 57, Victoria Ave. (RR #24). Turn Right onto South Service Road; at the lights, turn Left onto Victoria Ave. (RR #24); Turn Left onto Hwy 20; Turn Left onto North Pelham St., which turns into Hollow Rd.; Follow Hollow Rd. through the “S” bends to Barron Rd. 7. Park Entrance is at intersection of Barron and Hollow Rd.
DIRECTIONS FROM BUFFALO/NIAGARA: Travel along QEW Toronto to Lundy’s Lane (Hwy. 20); follow Lundy’s Lane which turns into Hwy 20 to Town of Pelham; turn right at lights on to North Pelham St. ., which turns into Hollow Rd.; Follow Hollow Rd. through the “S” bends to Barron Rd. 7. Park Entrance is at intersection of Barron and Hollow Rd.
NOTE: Admission to both events is FREE. For visitor convenience ‘Simply the Best Mobile Catering’ will offer a refreshment concession at both the Hawkwatch Open House and St. Johns Trout Season events.
(Visit Niagara At Large at www.niagaraatlarge.com for more news and commentary on matters of interest and concern to residents in our greater Niagara region and beyond.)
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