Detroit River Hawk Watch Brownstown, Michigan, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 09, 2023 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 1212 6628 8761 Osprey 0 2 53 Bald Eagle 0 5 77 Northern Harrier 6 48 403 Sharp-shinned Hawk 41 646 4403 Cooper's Hawk 3 11 22 American Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 8 8 Broad-winged Hawk 5 33 107615 Swainson's Hawk 0 0 0 Red-tailed Hawk 11 59 145 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 0 0 0 American Kestrel 21 224 1209 Merlin 0 5 36 Peregrine Falcon 0 7 27 Unknown Accipiter 0 0 0 Unknown Buteo 0 0 1 Unknown Falcon 0 0 1 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 0 0 Total: 1299 7676 122761 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 7 hours Official Counter: Andrew Sturgess, Kevin Georg Observers: Andrew Sturgess, Bill Peregord, Kevin Georg, Mark Hainen 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: For a while, it appeared that the forecasted winds would not materialize, as the waters in front of us were calm upon our arrival. It took a little time but the accelerator was finally pressed to the floor and off we went on another “batten down the hatches” day. The winds aloft must have been even stronger as we witnessed cirrus clouds being spread and formed into intricate and unique patterns. We had our share of cumulus and stratus clouds scud through during the day as well. It was pleasing day for all cloud aficionados. Temperatures were in the mid-fifties and as long as the sun was out it was not an uncomfortable day. The barometer was steadily dropping, reaching the 29.6” range by days end. Winds did reach the fifteen-mph mark with gusts exceeding that, staying W most of the day. Raptor Observations: The winds are probably affecting our count with the smaller birds having to battle into the wind. Turkey vultures seem content to slowly work their way into the wind, appearing mostly to the north of us. We managed to snag 1,212 of them today with 500 coming in the third hour. Sharp-shins were a distant second with only forty-one managing to make it by us. They really do have to work hard in the high winds. Kestrels seem to have a little easier passage but they were hiding in the lee of the trees today seeking calmer air. Twenty-one were counted. Our buteo selection included eleven red-tails and five broad-wings. Northern harriers are probably hiding elsewhere as we only noted six. Three Cooper’s hawks were also tallied today. Non-raptor Observations: Pelicans were up in bigger numbers today, about sixty-five to seventy-five birds were in fragmented formations. These birds are always difficult to count as they frequently shift lines and break up into smaller groups. Today we had three Caspian terns for a brief while, possibly a pair of migrants joined our resident bird, receiving a scolding for their temerity. A flock of shorebirds, likely pectoral sandpipers, made an appearance. Forster’s terns were noted. Kingfishers were present and accounted for. Shoveler ducks were seen flying back and forth. The water is still being blown up the lake in Buffalo’s direction, leaving our water level below normal. Predictions: The winds will drop a little tomorrow, possibly below ten-mph. The direction should shift slightly to WSW. Temperatures will be about the same, in the mid-fifties range. Cloud cover looks to be more complete but that may be a mixture of cirrus and cumulus as it was today. The barometer will start a slow climb that should last for three days. Rain is in the forecast for Thursday but the chance seems to have diminished somewhat, so stay tuned. Hopefully, the southern turn in wind driection will be offset by the drop in strength of the wind and we may continue to see a similar traffic pattern to the last two days. ======================================================================== 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