DRHW- Lake Erie Metropark Brownstown, Michigan, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 22, 2011 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 5 1271 52705 Osprey 0 0 85 Bald Eagle 2 41 221 Northern Harrier 12 44 268 Sharp-shinned Hawk 0 91 5325 Cooper's Hawk 8 89 740 Northern Goshawk 2 11 22 Red-shouldered Hawk 4 225 429 Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 195858 Swainson's Hawk 0 0 5 Red-tailed Hawk 124 1869 3705 Rough-legged Hawk 0 11 19 Golden Eagle 1 66 161 American Kestrel 0 2 664 Merlin 0 1 21 Peregrine Falcon 0 3 21 Unknown Accipiter 0 5 61 Unknown Buteo 0 19 60 Unknown Falcon 0 2 5 Unknown Eagle 0 0 2 Unknown Raptor 1 15 39 Total: 159 3765 260416 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 12:15:00 Total observation time: 4.25 hours Official Counter: Jonathan Stein Observers: Andrew Sturgess, Fred Kirn Visitors: Nope. Weather: Blustery and overcast from the get-go, it began to rain in earnest around 1 pm. The wind was strong and out of the northeast, shifting more easterly later. Raptor Observations: Well, today certainly exceeded expectations. With such dreary conditions, we weren't expecting many birds to be up and about. That turned out not to be the case. Red-tailed hawks were itching to move. And northern harriers were coming over in groups of twos, threes and fours. Our first four harriers were spotted low over Celeron Island and they all crossed together. Also, an adult golden eagle came right overhead and two more northern goshawks offered up silhouetted looks. Non-raptor Observations: Our friendly neighborhood common loon was foraging close by when we arrived in the morning. Bufflehead and lesser scaup gave us several fly-bys throughout the day. Predictions: Partly sunny in the morning and clear in the afternoon. Highs in the low 50s. Light to moderate north winds will turn toward the northwest in the afternoon. No sign of precipitation. With favorable winds and today's rain likely putting many interested migrants down, there's a high probability tomorrow could be another very good day. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Jonathan Stein ([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/
