SMRR- Lake Erie Metropark
Brownstown, Michigan, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 07, 2006
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Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
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Black Vulture 0 0 0
Turkey Vulture 4768 26993 28884
Osprey 1 14 202
Bald Eagle 5 18 133
Northern Harrier 39 143 648
Sharp-shinned Hawk 168 849 5122
Cooper's Hawk 33 134 280
Northern Goshawk 0 0 0
Red-shouldered Hawk 5 15 19
Broad-winged Hawk 5 2498 67950
Red-tailed Hawk 181 433 634
Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0
Golden Eagle 1 2 3
American Kestrel 12 161 1796
Merlin 0 8 35
Peregrine Falcon 0 4 33
Unknown
Swainson's Hawk 3 4 7
Total: 5221 31276 105746
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Observation start time: 07:45:00
Observation end time: 16:30:00
Total observation time: 8.75 hours
Official Counter: Calvin Brennan
Observers: Charlene Borchers, Chuck Owens, Jeff Schultz, Jim Maki,
Patrick Mulawa
Visitors:
Don Sherwood
Richard Naber
Jerry Wright
Gloria Harkness
Ron Harkness
Weather:
Conditions overall were similar to yesterday with clear, mostly cloudless
skies. Winds were moderate to fairly strong northeast in the morning,
lulling at midday and then becoming light to moderate southeast in the
afternoon.
Raptor Observations:
Migration was very active in the morning tapering off noticeably when the
wind dropped at midday and picking up again once the wind switched. TVs
dominated much of the flight, such is the time of year but most species
were seen in very good numbers. The Buteo flight in particular was very
well represented highlighted by three Swainsons Hawks. The views of the
first two of these were indeed stellar as they both came in low over the
trees and even soared around, giving us extended looks at this beautiful
western raptor. The first was a rufous morph juvenile, the second a dark
adult; one of the darkest individuals Ive seen here in Michigan. By the
way, congratulations Darlene for finally getting that elusive Swainsons
in Michigan! One additional highlight to an already fine day was a
low-flying juvenile Golden Eagle seen near the end of the day.
Non-raptor Observations:
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Report submitted by Calvin Brennan ([EMAIL PROTECTED])
SMRR- Lake Erie Metropark information may be found at:
http://www.smrr.net/
