Detroit River Hawk Watch Brownstown, Michigan, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 16, 2016 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 17 243 243 Osprey 0 7 7 Bald Eagle 3 28 28 Northern Harrier 20 112 112 Sharp-shinned Hawk 154 1047 1047 Cooper's Hawk 4 25 25 Northern Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 0 Broad-winged Hawk 80 3337 3337 Swainson's Hawk 0 0 0 Red-tailed Hawk 5 80 80 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 0 0 0 American Kestrel 16 287 287 Merlin 1 11 11 Peregrine Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Accipiter 0 3 3 Unknown Buteo 1 4 4 Unknown Falcon 0 1 1 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 8 8 Total: 301 5193 5193 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 07:00:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 8 hours Official Counter: Dustin Brewer Observers: Andrew Sturgess, John Elliott Visitors: There was a decent crowd (~20 people) for much of the day, especially after the Fred Kirn memorial and kiosk dedication, which took place right next to the count site. Weather: There was partial cloud cover all day, at around 25 percent. We watched a couple of uniquely long, dark, and thin clouds materialize as if a knife slowly cut a line through the sky. Winds were from the east and south, and almost always weak down at our level. Raptor Observations: We had more Sharp-shinned Hawks fly over today (154) than on any other day yet this season. We also matched our best Northern Harrier day, at 20 individuals. Few Broad-winged Hawks flew by within sight. We suspect that many of the Broad-wings may have flown to the north of us, as winds were southerly. Further, we spotted a small kettle (a swirling body of hawks, soaring) far to the north. Non-raptor Observations: While looking through the sky, one (and maybe only one!, i.e. the report writer) can sometimes momentarily mistake the fluttering wings of a butterfly for the fluttering wing beats of a distant Sharp-shinned Hawk. Many Monarch butterflies were spotted today, as the gentle, south easterly winds appeared to be ideal to help ease them on their way south. When life jerks us around, it may help to think of the tiny, migratory Monarch butterflies which have so far survived in a windy world! And try to remember to appreciate favorable wind!! Predictions: Scattered rain and thunderstorms are predicted all day tomorrow, and winds from the west, which will likely not be conditions ideal for much movement. Though we shall see... ======================================================================== Report submitted by Detroit River Hawk Watch ([email protected]) Detroit River Hawk Watch information may be found at: http://www.drhawkwatch.org _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO) - 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 Visit the OFO Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/OntarioFieldOrnithologists
