DRHW- Lake Erie Metropark
Brownstown, Michigan, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 23, 2011
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Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
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Black Vulture 0 0 0
Turkey Vulture 29 1300 52734
Osprey 0 0 85
Bald Eagle 1 42 222
Northern Harrier 5 49 273
Sharp-shinned Hawk 5 96 5330
Cooper's Hawk 14 103 754
Northern Goshawk 3 14 25
Red-shouldered Hawk 26 251 455
Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 195858
Swainson's Hawk 0 0 5
Red-tailed Hawk 296 2165 4001
Rough-legged Hawk 0 11 19
Golden Eagle 2 68 163
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 16 40
Total: 382 4147 260798
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Observation start time: 08:00:00
Observation end time: 15:00:00
Total observation time: 7 hours
Official Counter: Jonathan Stein
Observers: Andrew Sturgess, Don Sherwood, Jim Lynch, Patrick Mulawa,
Rodney Laura
Visitors:
Greg Smith hung out all day and was a huge help. Doug and Ellen Bidlack
stopped by in the afternoon.
Weather:
As dismal as yesterday's weather was, today's was the polar opposite, a
much welcomed turnaround. Sunny and clear with temperatures reaching up
into the low 50s, the wind was mostly light and out of the north, turning
more northwest later on. There were a few strong gusts here and there but
not many.
Raptor Observations:
A great, great day of late November raptor migration. Most of the action
was centered around midday and consisted primarily of red-tailed hawks. On
two separate occasions, kettles of 15+ redtails could be seen moving
through. Red-shouldered hawks had another solid day. Cooper's hawks were
well represented. And northern goshawks continue to be seen with increasing
frequency. Activity really began to peter out during the last hour. But an
adult golden eagle flying low over the parking lot proved to be a fitting
end to an enjoyable day.
Non-raptor Observations:
Five black-crowned night herons were seen low over the flag pole in the
morning. Late in the day, a flock of eight great egrets passed overhead. A
common loon was again present in the channel.
Predictions:
Sunny and clear with highs in the mid-50s. The wind will be light and out
of the southwest. Sounds like another great day to be at the park. Here's
hoping the birds agree.
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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.
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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/
