Niagara’s Hawkwatch Is One Of The First Great Ways To Get Close To Nature Each Spring

Submitted to NAL by Niagara, Ontario’s Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority 

(A very brief foreward note from Niagara At Large– This is a great opportunity to enjoy some of our most majestic wild birds at a beautiful green place atop of the Niagara Escarpment, with a spectacular view of Lake Ontario and the lands below.)

Hawkwatch Activities at Beamer Memorial Conservation Area

A Red-Tailed Hawk soars over the Niagara Escarpment and Niagara, Ontario’s Beamers Conservation Area. Come join the majest of the great birds migrating over this scenic site this March. Photo courtesy of NPCA

It’s been a long cold winter, and now it’s time to grab your binoculars and head to Beamer Memorial Conservation Area in Grimsby to witness the spectacular spring migration phenomenon of migratory 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. The winter weather this year saw more raptors migrating further south. 

For the period of March 1^st  to May 15th, 2014 during good weather/viewing conditions, members of the Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch group will be on site at Beamer from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM recording the sightings as part of a global environmental watch. This year marks the 25th year that the Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch group has partnered with the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority on this endeavour. On average over 15,000 raptors are viewed flying over Beamer annually. Visitors will view species such as Broadwinged Hawks, Turkey Vultures, Peregrine Falcons, Bald Eagles and Golden Eagles to name a few. We have even had the pleasure of witnessing an unusual visit by a Mississippi Kite, a graceful southern species that rarely occurs in Ontario in a previous season. The spring raptors are expected to be equally as impressive in 2014 and it will be interesting to see what surprises await. Due to the cold and snowy winter it is expected that we may see a high volume of Rough-legged Hawks this year. Trends in these migrating bird populations serve as valuable biological indicators for ecosystem health, as raptors are top-level predators, occupying large home ranges, inhabiting most ecosystems, and being sensitive to environmental contamination and other human disturbances. 

Be sure to mark your calendar for the he annual Hawkwatch Open House activities which will take place 10:00 to 3:00 on Good Friday, April 18th, 2014. A family favourite outing for everyone to enjoy, the event will feature a number of activities including live hawk demonstrations, ‘Talks on the Hawk Migration, children’s program, and Earth Day programs. 

Take the time to get out and join us at Beamer Conservation Area for a breath of fresh air!

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.

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