DRHW- Lake Erie Metropark Brownstown, Michigan, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 09, 2011 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 2 6 6 Osprey 2 5 5 Bald Eagle 5 7 7 Northern Harrier 7 7 7 Sharp-shinned Hawk 169 189 189 Cooper's Hawk 7 11 11 Northern Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 0 Broad-winged Hawk 6 7 7 Swainson's Hawk 0 0 0 Red-tailed Hawk 0 7 7 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 0 0 0 American Kestrel 3 10 10 Merlin 0 0 0 Peregrine Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Accipiter 1 1 1 Unknown Buteo 0 0 0 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 0 0 Total: 202 250 250 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 07:00:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 5.5 hours Official Counter: Jonathan Stein Observers: Fred Kirn Visitors: Rodney Laura came by twice, once in the morning when it was raining and again in the afternoon when it wasn't. Robert Boelter stopped by during the last hour for some lively conversation. Also, thanks so much to Fred Kirn for doing such an admirable job spotting birds and handling recording duties. Weather: There was rain early and rain late but in between there was significant clearing. The sun made a welcomed appearance as the morning's gray skies and misty rain gave way to blue skies and patchy clouds in the afternoon. Very light winds out of the northeast predominated throughout the day. Raptor Observations: Well, we managed to substantially increase our season total during four very productive hours of counting this afternoon. Sharpies were the big winners but there was also quite a few other species on the move including our first harriers of the season. Non-raptor Observations: The trees around the watch site were full of warbler activity in the early morning. Given some time to wander around before starting the watch, I had 12 species total, all within 100 feet of the picnic tables. Present and accounted for were cape may, blackpoll, pine, bay-breasted, chestnut-sided, black-throated green, black-throated blue, magnolia, nashville, tennessee, black-and-white and american redstart. Predictions: Like today, the forecast is calling for on-again, off-again rain. Right now, it looks like it's going to be overcast in the morning with the chance of rain steadily increasing throughout the rest of the day. Hopefully, we can find another nice window of favorable weather during which birds will be up and flying. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Greg Norwood ([email protected]) 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. _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to [email protected] For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
