Detroit River Hawk Watch Brownstown, Michigan, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 06, 2023 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 217 2604 93224 Osprey 0 0 52 Bald Eagle 2 11 119 Northern Harrier 2 9 473 Sharp-shinned Hawk 14 54 6826 Cooper's Hawk 1 2 60 American Goshawk 0 0 2 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 22 299 Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 103457 Swainson's Hawk 0 0 1 Red-tailed Hawk 24 161 1554 Rough-legged Hawk 0 3 18 Golden Eagle 5 11 24 American Kestrel 3 5 1277 Merlin 0 1 47 Peregrine Falcon 1 5 54 Unknown Accipiter 0 0 0 Unknown Buteo 0 0 2 Unknown Falcon 0 0 1 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 0 0 Total: 269 2888 207490 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 09:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 7 hours Official Counter: Kevin Georg Observers: Jackie Quinones 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: Disclaimer!! This post was done by Jackie Quinones, a Hawk Watch Apprentice, not Andrew Sturgess. I will try to muster his wit and wisdom while he is in Belize watching the Hook-billed kite migration. Cough Cough- jealous. If yesterday’s count was dominated by the fog, then today’s was dominated by the wind; and if it’s one thing this still-learning-hawk-watcher can tell you, it’s that wind changes everything. Mother nature did not make it easy to see or ID the birds today with her strong winds from the south. If the birds weren’t tiny specks to the north, they were flapping erratically- desperately trying to cross the water. With rain on the predicted forecast, we waited for the heavens to open up, but it never truly came. The clouds were moving too quickly overhead for us to feel many drops. The warmer weather was a relief today with temperatures reaching the low 60s. We even got to see the sun, a more increasingly rare sight as the fall comes to an end. Raptor Observations: With most birds far away in the north, today’s highlight was most definitely the two very close young Goldens that lazily flew right by us. We haven’t seen Goldens this close yet this season, and it was truly a sight to see. I want to personally thank all photographers that did not come by today- we owe these close fly-bys to you! In all seriousness, we wish everyone could have seen it. Other than this event though, you did not miss much. The totals were as follows: 217 far TVs, 24 flappy red tails, 14 frantic sharpies, 5 awesome goldens, 3 quick kestrels, 2 nonlocal bald eagles, 2 struggling harriers, 1 nonlocal coop, 1 soaring peregrine, and a partridge in a pear tree. Non-raptor Observations: Let’s get to the point: the infamous little gull was not seen today. There were plenty of gulls to be had, but none of which with the striking black underwing. We will report back to you if we see it again. Don’t lose hope, it has come back once and it can come back again! Now that that is off my chest, onto the other birds! There were plenty of Dunlin flying around today, but not in the numbers we saw yesterday. Crows are still moving, with around 150 or so seen today. Another notable sight to see were 6 Great Blue Herons flying high in the sky near Celeron Island. While I occasionally see one or two flying near the metropark, I have not seen them flying in groups like this across the river. Predictions: Now I shall channel my inner Andrew and say: please take the next portion with a grain of salt. We all know how much weather predictions can change in just one night, but dare I say, tomorrow’s winds are looking promising. While the winds are a little strong, ranging from 11-14 km/h, the direction should play in our favor: NW for most of the day. Temperatures are looking comfortable in the high 40s / low 50s, and the sun should be partly visible the whole day. If you are planning to come this week, tomorrow could be your chance! ======================================================================== Report submitted by Jessie Fletcher (jessica_fletcher@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 Count data submitted via Dunkadoo - Project info at: https://dunkadoo.org/explore/detroit-river-international-wildlife-refuge/detroit-river-hawk-watch-fall-2023