Detroit River Hawk Watch Brownstown, Michigan, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 25, 2025 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 134 340 340 Osprey 0 22 22 Bald Eagle 0 70 70 Northern Harrier 14 289 289 Sharp-shinned Hawk 98 2397 2397 Cooper's Hawk 3 11 11 American Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 0 Broad-winged Hawk 117 50880 50880 Swainson's Hawk 0 0 0 Red-tailed Hawk 3 110 110 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 0 0 0 American Kestrel 31 766 766 Merlin 0 25 25 Peregrine Falcon 1 22 22 Unknown Accipitrine 0 0 0 Unknown Buteo 0 2 2 Unknown Falcon 1 2 2 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 1 2 2 Total: 403 54938 54938 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 7 hours Official Counter: Jo Patterson Observers: Andrew Sturgess, Bill Peregord, Mark Hainen 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: Although the rain passed yesterday, the cloudy aftermath remained today. The morning hours felt a little close and dull. The afternoon had a little more light, with blue creviceâs showing in the heavily laden cumulus clouds of many hues, ranging from dark steel blue to titanium white. The light winds were their usual indecisive selves with peaks and valleys in strength, retaining a northerly component for the most part; although the wind seemed to be coming off the lake at the end of the day, which is not to the north. The temperature topped out at seventy-four degrees. The barometer finally bottomed out at 29.8 inches and should begin a gradual climb over the next few days. An interesting day to look at, with constantly changing clouds, a day always looking like it wanted to clear up, but never quite managing to do so. Raptor Observations: We are in a transitional time in the hawk watch. The broadwings race is nearly run and the turkey vultures are getting into the starting blocks with a few leaving before the gun has fired. We counted one hundred and thirty-four of them today. They are starting to kettle and stream in bigger numbers, even though some single birds are still wandering aimlessly around the sky. The broadwings were not too far behind today with one hundred and seventeen being observed. No big kettles anymore, but an unsteady trickle of handfuls of birds. Ninety-eight sharpies flew by, most taking the high road in the light winds. It was a neck-stretching day today, watching high overhead for most travelers. Kestrels numbered thirty-one birds. Fourteen harriers pumped through. The number three was shared by both red-tailed hawks and Cooperâs hawks. We also noted one peregrine falcon. Non-raptor Observations: Gull flak was an issue today as there seemed to be a large migration of dragonflies that attracted attention. The gulls took to the air, performing aerobatics in pursuit of prey. Even some broadwings were seen hawking insects. Every small kettle of raptors seemed to be located in a large kettle of gulls, needing to be sorted out and counted. The pelicans were small in number today, roosting by the Celeron jetty. What appeared, at first glance, to be a flight of them turned out to be about twenty mute swans flying in formation. Our resident kingfisher was out today. The marshes have returned to marshy status after the heavy rains of yesterday. Blue jays numbered two thousand, eight hundred and seventy today. Monarchs came in heavier numbers later in the day, but only forty-two were counted. Predictions: Tomorrow should be sunnier with temperatures about two degrees higher. The barometer will be slowly rising, but stay in the 29.8â range. Winds are going to be light from a west-north-west direction. Light winds are usually erratic, rising and falling during the day, no matter what the prediction says. The birds will probably be high again, but hopefully, a few more will come our way. The usually suspects at this time of year, sharpies, kestrels, harriers, straggling broadwings and a growing number of turkey vultures should be on the menu. ======================================================================== 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 -- 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]. 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