Detroit River Hawk Watch Brownstown, Michigan, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 07, 2023 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 457 3061 93681 Osprey 0 0 52 Bald Eagle 4 15 123 Northern Harrier 6 15 479 Sharp-shinned Hawk 46 100 6872 Cooper's Hawk 1 3 61 American Goshawk 0 0 2 Red-shouldered Hawk 70 92 369 Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 103457 Swainson's Hawk 0 0 1 Red-tailed Hawk 792 953 2346 Rough-legged Hawk 1 4 19 Golden Eagle 18 29 42 American Kestrel 0 5 1277 Merlin 0 1 47 Peregrine Falcon 2 7 56 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: 1397 4285 208887 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 09:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 7 hours Official Counter: Kevin Georg Observers: Don Sherwood, Jackie Quinones, 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: Jackie Quinones again, coming back to give you the latest Detroit River Hawk Watch intel. The north western winds beckoned, and the birds followed indeed. The birds did not make it easy though, as they arrived very distant and then took the wind elevator up until they were way high above our heads. While windy, the temperatures remained comfortable staying around 50 degrees the whole day. Blue skies tried their best to make an appearance, but only managed to do so toward the end of the afternoon. Raptor Observations: I was having trouble deciding if the BOTD (bird of the day) was the Golden Eagle or the Red-tailed Hawk. On one hand it was the Golden yesterday, but on the other, Goldens are super cool and I am sure you all agree about their grandeur. I have decided that we must go back to grade school and make it a tie! Whichever you prefer, 18 golden eagles and 792 Red-tails in just one day is truly something remarkable. Kettles upon kettles of birds kept coming in throughout the day making today’s total just shy of 1400 birds. Non-raptor Observations: Now the real BOTD may be the crows, but that obviously wouldn’t suffice. Murders were pouring in throughout the day by the thousands. They flew through the kettles trying to steal the show, but the Goldens and Red tails take that prize no matter their numbers. The tundra swans were heard overhead with their familiar whooping; we counted 12. We also heard the local bald eagles calling to each other, particularly when one Golden was crossing overhead. Predictions: Tomorrow is looking like a big fat womp womp- thumbs down, boo, whatever you prefer. Whether you take into account the strong winds from the east or the 40-60% chance of rain all day the odds are not looking good tomorrow. But alas, we shall see. The forecast has changed before, and it certainly can change again. In the meantime, I will study the high and low pressure maps that Andrew lives by. ======================================================================== 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