Detroit River Hawk Watch Brownstown, Michigan, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 22, 2025 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 0 164 164 Osprey 0 20 20 Bald Eagle 0 67 67 Northern Harrier 2 259 259 Sharp-shinned Hawk 27 2207 2207 Cooper's Hawk 0 7 7 American Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 0 Broad-winged Hawk 0 50745 50745 Swainson's Hawk 0 0 0 Red-tailed Hawk 0 96 96 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 0 0 0 American Kestrel 4 706 706 Merlin 0 24 24 Peregrine Falcon 0 18 18 Unknown Accipitrine 0 0 0 Unknown Buteo 0 2 2 Unknown Falcon 0 1 1 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 1 1 Total: 33 54317 54317 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 5.5 hours Official Counter: Jo Patterson Observers: Bill Peregord, Jerry Jourdan Visitors: We welcome visitors to our site as we are eager to share the joys of hawk watching with one and all. Although there may be times in which we are all very busy and need alone-time to concentrate, those are the times that are most enjoyable for visitors as the skies are filled with migrating raptors. Weather: The sky remained overcast all day, a thick stratus layer stretched above us in mottled shades, dark and bright patches quilted together. A steady rain fell from 11:00 to 12:30, halting the count until it passed. Southwest winds rose and fell unpredictably, and the barometer hovered below 30 inches. Temperatures never rose above 75°F, and occasional gusts of wind cut through the humidity, briefly stirring the heavy, stagnant air. Raptor Observations: The morning drizzle of birds was cut short by the actual drizzle. When the rain passed and the count resumed, a small push followedâmostly sharp-shins that had likely waited out the weather nearby. The final two hours produced only three more sharpies, but at least the day offered practice in patience. Twenty-seven sharpies, four kestrels, and two harriers were counted for a grand total of thirty-three today, not our best but at least not our worst. Non-raptor Observations: The boat ramp was eerily quiet today. Early in the morning, a few shots from hunters sent a mixed flock of Wood Duck, Mallard, and Canada Goose up our inlet. For the most part, the gulls remained silent. One Ring-Billed Gull gave a few squawks as it discoveredâand promptly swallowedâa bluegill. A local Bald Eagle made two passes at a floating fish before abandoning the attempt and turning to harass an Osprey for its meal, which also proved unsuccessful. Nine hundred Blue Jays were seen migrating, mostly in small flocks. Predictions: Tomorrow looks like more of the same⦠overcast skies, SW winds, and a chance of precipitation. We expect a few sharp-shins, kestrels, and possibly a harrier or two, but are not holding out hope for high numbers. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Erika Van Kirk ([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 -- Ontbirds and Birdnews are moderated email Listservs provided by the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO) as a service to all birders in Ontario. Birdnews is reserved for announcements, location summaries, first of year reports, etc. To post a message on Birdnews, send an email to: [email protected]. If you have any questions or concerns, contact the Birdnews Moderators by email at [email protected]. Please review posting rules and guidelines at http://ofo.ca/site/content/listserv-guidelines To find out more about OFO, please visit our website at ofo.ca or Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/OntarioFieldOrnithologists.
