Detroit River Hawk Watch
Brownstown, Michigan, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 26, 2023
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Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
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Black Vulture 0 0 0
Turkey Vulture 52 79185 81318
Osprey 0 2 53
Bald Eagle 2 25 97
Northern Harrier 1 104 459
Sharp-shinned Hawk 99 2841 6594
Cooper's Hawk 0 39 50
American Goshawk 0 0 0
Red-shouldered Hawk 0 169 169
Broad-winged Hawk 0 108 107690
Swainson's Hawk 0 1 1
Red-tailed Hawk 3 744 830
Rough-legged Hawk 0 9 9
Golden Eagle 0 5 5
American Kestrel 4 292 1277
Merlin 0 11 42
Peregrine Falcon 3 23 43
Unknown Accipiter 0 0 0
Unknown Buteo 0 1 2
Unknown Falcon 0 0 1
Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
Unknown Raptor 0 0 0
Total: 164 83559 198640
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Observation start time: 08:00:00
Observation end time: 15:00:00
Total observation time: 7 hours
Official Counter: Andrew Sturgess, Kevin Georg
Observers: Andrew Sturgess, Bill Peregord, Carolyn Small, Don Sherwood,
Kevin Georg, Mark Hainen, Sam Heilman
Visitors:
We welcome visitors to our site and are very willing to share migration
information, photography and ID tips with them. We have cards and
pamphlets, so come and talk to us. However, during times of high traffic,
requiring extra focus and concentration, we would respectfully ask that
everyone use their indoor voices and allow us to fulfill our mission to the
best of our abilities. Thank you.
Weather:
Southerly winds pushed the temperature up past the seventy-degree mark, but
also pushed the buteos off to the north beyond another nearly impenetrable
shimmering haze barrier. Wind speeds were up over ten mph at times. There
is a lot of rain around us if you back off the radar screen to show the
entire state. The sky reflected that unsettled state by changing from
benign cirrus designs, with enough ice crystals aloft to give us sun dogs
and a halo around the sun, to scenes suggesting that rain was imminent. It
was a very confused sky, changing moods in what seemed to be minutes. The
barometer started to decline in the morning hours and will continue to dip
through tomorrow, with a rebound on Saturday.
Raptor Observations:
Well, at least the sharpies were not intimidated by the polymorphous sky
and adverse winds. They stayed on the top step today with ninety-nine of
them showing their resolute determination to stay the course. Turkey
vultures claimed the next podium position with fifty-two counted, most of
them seen over Canada since there was very little traffic on their normal
flight path off to the north. Kestrels claimed the bronze with just four
birds. Just off the podium were red-tailed hawks and peregrine falcons,
sharing a three count. Two bald eagles were counted. Only one harrier flew
by.
Non-raptor Observations:
Our airspace was relatively quiet in front of us today, probably a result
of the robust winds. Some shoveler ducks were noted. Forsterâs terns were
seen at a distance. Cormorants are observed in flight, but not fishing near
us in big numbers anymore. The âlocalâ osprey is still looking for
meals in one of the channels behind the Gibraltar Islands. Some blue jays
were seen in the haze off to the north, as well as a smattering of crows.
One monarch decided to make an appearance.
Predictions:
It looks like we will be at the mercy of even higher speed winds from the
south tomorrow. A warmer day is forecast but then the temps will decline to
more seasonal temps in the low forties for the next week. A northern wind
will introduce the cold and may bring us more birds on Saturday, if the
stars align. The barometer will stay low tomorrow, but rebound on Saturday,
another positive sign. Sunday might be a rain-day so the exact timing of
all of these occurrences will be important, and may affect the flight.
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Report submitted by Andrew Sturgess ([email protected])
Detroit River Hawk Watch information may be found at:
http://www.detroitriverhawkwatch.org
More site information at hawkcount.org:
https://hawkcount.org/siteinfo.php?rsite=285
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