Detroit River Hawk Watch Brownstown, Michigan, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 11, 2023 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 37 189 189 Osprey 10 13 13 Bald Eagle 4 8 8 Northern Harrier 20 38 38 Sharp-shinned Hawk 245 520 520 Cooper's Hawk 0 5 5 American Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 0 Broad-winged Hawk 83 415 415 Swainson's Hawk 0 0 0 Red-tailed Hawk 3 17 17 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 0 0 0 American Kestrel 47 177 177 Merlin 2 8 8 Peregrine Falcon 0 3 3 Unknown Accipiter 0 0 0 Unknown Buteo 0 0 0 Unknown Falcon 0 1 1 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 0 0 Total: 451 1394 1394 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 09:00:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 6 hours Official Counter: Kevin Georg Observers: Andrew Sturgess, Bill Peregord, Don Sherwood, Patrick Mulawa, 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: Old Glory was at half-mast today as we entered the park. It was lowered in memory of those who lost their lives on this date twenty-two years ago. Rest in peace, all the victims and vanquished heroes of that day. The start of today’s watch was delayed an hour due to foggy conditions. We didn’t know quite what to expect in the way of migration or weather, but for once, we were pleasantly surprised on both counts. We knew the forecast was not to be trusted, however, this time it worked in our favor as the clouds did not fill in until the final hour of the watch. Winds did the predicted turnaround from N to S, but once again, they lacked conviction until they settled in the SSW and started to build, peaking at nine mph before backing off the pedal. Temperatures were about the same as yesterday, reaching seventy-three degrees. The barometer started its decline in the afternoon hours as rain appears to be approaching. The dip in pressure appears to be short-lived as it should rebound tomorrow after the rain system passes and more northerly winds resume. Raptor Observations: We had some very good counts for our site today with a couple of species exceeding their normal numbers. Although numerically they well down in overall count, ten ospreys and twenty northern harriers were more than we have come to expect in the last few years. Sharp-shins were the leaders of the pack with 245 keeping us on our toes as the light winds allowed many different flight lines. Their usual traveling partners, the kestrels, tallied forty-seven birds today. Broadwing numbers seemed to dwindle in the afternoon as the winds turned southerly and grew stronger. Most of the groups we saw were very small but they eventually totaled eighty-three on the day. Turkey vultures are moving but also in small numbers with only thirty-seven counted today, most of them off to the north. Four bald eagles rushed through with a determined look. Three red-tailed hawks were noted. Two merlins brought the total to 451 birds on the day. Non-raptor Observations: Wood ducks and blue-winged teal were on the wing in front of us today. Their may be a couple of black ducks in with the mallards, but unconfirmed due to poor light lately. Great blue herons appear restless, seen flying over the site frequently. Great egrets seem to be flying more as well. Kingfishers are acting like hummingbirds with frequent chases and squabbles. The flickers are seen frequently flying back and forth to Gibraltar. A red-bellied woodpecker makes its presence known with vocals from time to time. Predictions: Tomorrow will be another tricky day to call. The rain should clear in the early morning hours but the timing will be unknown until it actually happens. We should see solid cloud cover all day, The winds should start to turn to WNW as the rain passes and remain at moderate strength around eight to ten mph. The barometer will still be falling through most of the day, but still just below thirty inches, until the evening hours when it will climb again. Temperatures will not reach seventy degrees tomorrow but will come close. I suspect that the sharpies may come, but winds from that direction tend to push birds towards the lake so it may be difficult for us to see whatever decides to travel. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Andrew Sturgess (ajyes72@gmail.com) 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