Detroit River Hawk Watch Brownstown, Michigan, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 10, 2012 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 3691 11848 15596 Osprey 0 11 63 Bald Eagle 1 52 173 Northern Harrier 4 26 158 Sharp-shinned Hawk 84 681 2311 Cooper's Hawk 4 38 175 Northern Goshawk 0 0 1 Red-shouldered Hawk 1 10 28 Broad-winged Hawk 0 3 40922 Swainson's Hawk 0 0 3 Red-tailed Hawk 3 112 298 Rough-legged Hawk 0 1 1 Golden Eagle 0 1 1 American Kestrel 1 73 445 Merlin 0 5 26 Peregrine Falcon 2 7 23 Unknown Accipiter 2 9 29 Unknown Buteo 0 3 17 Unknown Falcon 0 1 2 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 9 45 Total: 3793 12890 60317 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 07:00:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 8 hours Official Counter: Jonathan Stein Observers: Andrew Sturgess Visitors: None Weather: Overcast all day, occasionally the gray clouds saw fit to spray down a touch of misty drizzle. Temperatures never rose above the low 50s and a brisk wind blustered out of the west from start to finish. Raptor Observations: A steady procession of Turkey Vultures ventured by the count site today. Brought down low by the heavy cloud cover and strong west wind, vultures could frequently be seen streaming by low and very close to us, sometimes at eye level. Additionally, great looks at two adult Peregrine Falcons made for an all-around enjoyable day. Non-raptor Observations: Small numbers of Rusty Blackbirds (25+) are starting to join the many Red-winged Blackbirds (600+) moving through. Blue Jays (4000+) were again abundant during the morning hours. Four Northern Shovelers flew overhead in the afternoon. Tree Swallows can still be seen in significant numbers out over the lake. Chimney Swifts (5) are still around. Predictions: Mostly sunny with highs in the low 60s and strong wind out of the southwest. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Jonathan Stein (jonathanjstein@gmail.com) SMRR- Lake Erie Metropark information may be found at: http://www.drhawkwatch.org Site Description: The primary site used by the Detroit River Hawk Watch (a joint venture of the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge and it's Friends group, the International Wildlife Refuge Alliance) is the Boat Launch at Lake Erie Metropark located approximately 20 miles south of Detroit, Michigan. A secondary site, the Headquarters of Pointe Mouillee State Game Area is used during certain wind conditions. When staffing is available, both sites can be used at the same time. The season begins on the first day of September and concludes on the final day of November. For details and directions, log on to www.drhawkwatch.org Directions to site: Lake Erie Metropark: >From I-75, exit at Huron River Drive (exit 27). Continue east on Huron River Drive. Turn left on West Jefferson and proceed a few hundred yards to the entrance of Lake Erie Metropark. After paying the entrance fee, follow the signs to the Boat Launch.