Detroit River Hawk Watch Brownstown, Michigan, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 22, 2015 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 1 Turkey Vulture 41 1443 73561 Osprey 0 1 81 Bald Eagle 9 51 206 Northern Harrier 20 132 608 Sharp-shinned Hawk 5 200 5519 Cooper's Hawk 2 42 237 Northern Goshawk 0 1 5 Red-shouldered Hawk 22 217 693 Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 72461 Swainson's Hawk 0 0 1 Red-tailed Hawk 149 2353 3995 Rough-legged Hawk 2 13 17 Golden Eagle 5 40 94 American Kestrel 0 4 816 Merlin 0 5 46 Peregrine Falcon 0 4 36 Unknown Accipiter 0 5 16 Unknown Buteo 0 12 38 Unknown Falcon 0 0 4 Unknown Eagle 0 0 1 Unknown Raptor 0 10 40 Total: 255 4533 158476 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 09:00:00 Observation end time: 16:30:00 Total observation time: 7.5 hours Official Counter: Jonathan Stein Observers: Andrew Sturgess, Don Sherwood Visitors: 5 Weather: Trudging through the remnants of the first snow of the season, we arrived to sub-freezing temperatures this morning. But a warm sun was there to smile down at us and keep our shivering to a minimum, at least for a little while. Not until after noon did an array of hulking cumulus drift into view, presenting us with a double-edged sword, helpful for spotting but not for staying warm. Thankfully, the wind remained light and out of the west throughout. Raptor Observations: Starved for warmth, we were anything but starved for raptors today. Itching to move after last night's snow, buteos, eagles and harriers flooded the viewing area from mid-morning to late afternoon. Red-tailed Hawks dominated the overall totals, streaming by in wave after wave during the midday hours. Pushing through along with them, Red-shouldered Hawks and Golden Eagles helped keep us on our toes. But with the Redtails petering out by mid-afternoon, Bald Eagles and Northern Harriers picked up the slack. Harriers, in particular, engaged in a highly enjoyable late day surge, sending us over 600 for the season for the first time since 2007. Non-raptor Observations: Red-winged Blackbird (450+), Common Grackle (30+), Brown-headed Cowbird (12), Pine Siskin (45+), American Goldfinch (70+), Horned Lark (15+), Cedar Waxwing (25+), Tundra Swan (140+), Canada Goose (250+), Common Merganser (3), Ruddy Duck (1), Pied-billed Grebe (1), Great Blue Heron (24) Predictions: Overcast with chilly temps and moderate southwest wind. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Jonathan Stein ([email protected]) Detroit River Hawk Watch information may be found at: http://www.drhawkwatch.org Site Description: The Detroit River Hawk Watch (a joint venture of the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge and its Friends group, the International Wildlife Refuge Alliance) is the Boat Launch at Lake Erie Metropark located approximately 20 miles south of Detroit, Michigan. The location is at the mouth of the Detroit River as it enters Lake Erie. 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 including how to unsubscribe visit http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdssetup Posting guidelines can be found at http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdsguide
