Breathtaking Scenery and Soaring Hawks Sure to Delight Visitors at Beamer Memorial Conservation Area in Grimsby, Ontario

Grimsby, ON – It may be snowing outside today, but spring is in the air, and a sure indication of its imminent arrival is the beginning of the annual ‘Hawkwatch’ Season. From March 1st and continuing to May 15th, birders, nature lovers and interested observers are invited to join the Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch group (NPH) at Beamer Memorial Conservation Area in Grimsby. Since 1990, many dedicated volunteers have been monitoring birds of prey as they migrate from South and Central America, the Caribbean and the United States to their nesting territories in Canada. NPH members will be on site during good weather/viewing conditions from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and visitors are invited to share in the excitement and answer any questions.

Renowned as the best vantage point in the Niagara Peninsula to observe the annual spring migration, Beamer also offers visitors hiking trails and one of the most spectacular views of the Niagara Escarpment and Lake Ontario.

Raptors are noted as top-level predators, occupying large home ranges, inhabiting most ecosystems, and are sensitive to environmental contamination and other human disturbances. The migration trends of birds of prey serve as a valuable biological indicator of ecosystem health. Averages of 15,000 birds normally pass over Beamer. In 2009 volunteers spent over 525 hours at the site and recorded over 17,577 raptors, the highest numbers since 1990 and the fourth highest ever at the site. These species include Bald Eagles, Turkey Vultures, Red-tailed Hawks, and Broad – winged Hawks.

So grab your binoculars and a camera and join the Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch to learn more about this phenomenon. Don’t forget to Mark your calendar and plan to attend the annual Hawkwatch Open House on Good Friday, April 2, 2010 featuring live hawk demonstrations, talks on the hawk migration, and children’s program.

For directions or more information, visit the website at www.hwcn.org/link/niaghawk/<http://www.hwcn.org/link/niaghawk/> or www.npca.ca<http://www.npca.ca/

February 25, 2010   Posted in: Canada