SMRR- Lake Erie Metropark Brownstown, Michigan, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 25, 2006 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 65 430 430 Osprey 9 162 162 Bald Eagle 3 85 85 Northern Harrier 10 392 392 Sharp-shinned Hawk 357 3640 3640 Cooper's Hawk 9 103 103 Northern Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 4 4 Broad-winged Hawk 389 29263 29263 Red-tailed Hawk 10 127 127 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 0 0 0 American Kestrel 112 1339 1339 Merlin 0 23 23 Peregrine Falcon 3 23 23 Unknown Swainson's Hawk 0 2 2 Total: 967 35593 35593 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 07:15:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 8.75 hours Official Counter: Calvin Brennan Observers: Jim Maki, Paul Cypher, Terry Angevine Visitors: Robert Westland Weather: Sunny conditions prevailed throughout the day but with substantial amounts of cumulous clouds forming in the afternoon. Winds were light to moderate west-southwest in the morning becoming strong and gusty in the afternoon. Raptor Observations: The flight began strongly with very good numbers of Sharpies coming through from the start of the count right through until the end of the day, although tapering off somewhat with the stronger winds in the afternoon. Kestrels also had a good showing particularly in the afternoon and it appears that Peregrines have hit their stride as well. Although obviously not counted as migrants, two of the local Bald Eagle pairs were in view at once, putting a very nice show for all. Non-raptor Observations: A Praying Mantis was seen drifting low over the channel at one point today and just as it was about to hit the water, it was snapped up by a keen-eyed Ring-billed Gull. The gull in turn was pirated by one of its own, the other gull then making a quick meal of the insect. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Calvin Brennan ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) SMRR- Lake Erie Metropark information may be found at: http://www.smrr.net/
