SMRR- Lake Erie Metropark Brownstown, Michigan, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 09, 2007 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 2337 6176 7961 Osprey 4 29 176 Bald Eagle 5 29 168 Northern Harrier 15 114 614 Sharp-shinned Hawk 167 1039 7744 Cooper's Hawk 10 99 272 Northern Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 4 10 18 Broad-winged Hawk 11 28 69563 Red-tailed Hawk 85 131 494 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 0 0 0 American Kestrel 29 87 1149 Merlin 2 8 34 Peregrine Falcon 1 20 55 Unknown 8 Swainson's Hawk 0 0 2 Total: 2670 7770 88258 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 16:30:00 Total observation time: 8.5 hours Official Counter: Calvin Brennan Observers: Al Kostyniak, Bruce Roberts, Don Sherwood, Fred Kirn Visitors: Benita Garner Ron Harkness Allen Chartier Weather: Today brought a change in the hot and humid weather pattern from the last week or so. After some overnight showers, the early morning today was partly to mostly cloudy with more or less complete clearing occurring by mid morning. Winds were moderate from the west for much of the day becoming gustier in the afternoon and switching to the west-southwest late in the afternoon. Raptor Observations: The flight overall was steady throughout the day with the first vulture groups appearing by the second hour of the count. These groups were somewhat disorganized at first probably because of what was likely substantial upper level winds; making for unstable thermals which I think affected the flight throughout the day. While many of the early kettles were overhead, including the largest group of the day numbering 500+ birds, later groups took a more northerly tract in response to the wind. Today also saw an increase in the Buteo flight with quite a few Red-tails mixed in with the vultures along with a few straggling Broad-wings. Non-raptor Observations: Large numbers of Yellow-rumped Warblers are now present in the park along with quite a few lingering Blackpolls. A Cape May Warbler was also noted today. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Calvin Brennan ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) SMRR- Lake Erie Metropark information may be found at: http://www.smrr.net/ _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list [email protected] For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/ontbirdshow.htm ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at http://www.ofo.ca/ontbirdsguide.htm
