Detroit River Hawk Watch
Brownstown, Michigan, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 17, 2024
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Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture 0 0 0
Turkey Vulture 3 2963 65221
Osprey 0 0 18
Bald Eagle 2 66 204
Northern Harrier 0 20 340
Sharp-shinned Hawk 0 81 3477
Cooper's Hawk 2 35 110
American Goshawk 0 2 2
Red-shouldered Hawk 0 150 323
Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 6785
Swainson's Hawk 0 0 1
Red-tailed Hawk 12 1017 1948
Rough-legged Hawk 0 4 18
Golden Eagle 0 73 117
American Kestrel 0 1 410
Merlin 0 2 25
Peregrine Falcon 1 4 32
Unknown Accipiter 0 3 18
Unknown Buteo 1 16 47
Unknown Falcon 0 0 13
Unknown Eagle 0 3 6
Unknown Raptor 0 2 30
Total: 21 4442 79145
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Observation start time: 09:00:00
Observation end time: 16:00:00
Total observation time: 6 hours
Official Counter: Michael Patrikeev
Observers: Bill Peregord, Don Sherwood, Frank Kitakis,
Michelle Peregord
Visitors:
We welcome visitors to our site by the boat launch in Lake Erie Metropark.
We have brochures and educational information we are happy to share. Let us
share our enthusiasm for migration and raptors with you! While we welcome
your questions and company, please know that our professional counter,
apprentices, and volunteers must communicate with each other frequently to
successfully conduct the count, and they also must maintain an unobstructed
view of the horizon.
Weather:
Wind shifted between south and south-west; strong in the morning (29
km/hr), it slowed down to 14 km/hr by 3 PM (i.e., from 18 to 8 mi/hr).
Temperature remained between +9 and +13C (48 to 55F). Mainly cloudy.
Raptor Observations:
Today, we counted thrice as many raptors as in the last two days, but... it
amounted only to twenty-one birds. Red-tailed Hawks ruled the roost; twelve
were counted, including one very unafraid juvenile, which hunted from low
perches around the parking lot. There was much excitement when three Turkey
Vultures showed up over the sycamore around noon. Copper's Hawk and
juvenile Bald Eagles (two of each) went looking to warmer climes or greener
feeding grounds. Don spotted a Peregrine over Gibraltar; same (?) bird
stooped at something and went out of view later in the day.
Non-raptor Observations:
Five American Crows and a scores of other birds, including many American
Robins. Bill and Michele spotted ca. 20 pipits flying overhead. A distant
medium-sized shorebird was seen, but its identity is uncertain. Two Belted
Kingfishers, inhabiting the area, have not yet decided on departure date.
Predictions:
Light easterly winds and temperatures between +9 and +14C (48-57 F) are
projected for tomorrow. Although easterly winds are favorable for raptor
migration at this site, speeds below 10 km/hour (6 mi/hr) may be
insufficient to motivate the remaining hawks to move on.
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Report submitted by Erika Van Kirk (erika_vank...@fws.gov)
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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