DRHW- Lake Erie Metropark
Brownstown, Michigan, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 22, 2011
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture 0 0 0
Turkey Vulture 5 235 235
Osprey 3 41 41
Bald Eagle 6 68 68
Northern Harrier 2 83 83
Sharp-shinned Hawk 49 1683 1683
Cooper's Hawk 3 62 62
Northern Goshawk 0 0 0
Red-shouldered Hawk 0 2 2
Broad-winged Hawk 0 192967 192967
Swainson's Hawk 0 5 5
Red-tailed Hawk 0 66 66
Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0
Golden Eagle 0 0 0
American Kestrel 6 340 340
Merlin 1 8 8
Peregrine Falcon 0 4 4
Unknown Accipiter 0 4 4
Unknown Buteo 0 0 0
Unknown Falcon 1 2 2
Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
Unknown Raptor 0 1 1
Total: 76 195571 195571
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 07:00:00
Observation end time: 15:00:00
Total observation time: 8 hours
Official Counter: Jonathan Stein
Observers: Fred Kirn, Jim Linch, Patrick Mulawa, Raburn Howland,
Rodney Laura
Visitors:
A wonderfully eclectic stream of visitors joined many of our regulars at
the picnic tables today. Thanks to Ken and Carol Baumgartner, Mark Simek,
Allan Brushaber, Melinda Powers, Tom Dare, Jackie Owens, Stan Kowalski,
Pete Przybylski and Bob from Pennsylvania for spending some of your day by
the boat launch.
Weather:
It was a calm and serene day at the park, temperate with just a hint of a
breeze kicking up every now and again. Cloud cover declined significantly
throughout the day, leaving us with blue skies and warm sunshine for much
of the watch. Winds were out of the southwest before shifting to the east
and southeast later.
Raptor Observations:
Not a whole lot of movement today but certainly enough to hold our
interest. There was some good variety, highlighted by a solid bald eagle
flight.
Non-raptor Observations:
The first rusty blackbird of the season was spotted perched atop a tall
tree across the channel. Blue jay migration continued apace.
Conservatively, more than 2,000 jays passed by the watch site today, mostly
during the morning hours.
Predictions:
Looks like rain again. There's an 80 percent chance of rain in the morning
and a 70 percent chance of rain in the afternoon. The winds are supposed to
shift to the north and northeast, which would be a welcomed change. If the
rain doesn't wash away the day, we might be able to get some good hawk
watching in.
========================================================================
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/
