Detroit River Hawk Watch Brownstown, Michigan, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 15, 2016 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 458 20892 22212 Osprey 0 4 22 Bald Eagle 1 34 88 Northern Harrier 2 66 289 Sharp-shinned Hawk 48 1105 3611 Cooper's Hawk 2 46 90 Northern Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 55 56 Broad-winged Hawk 0 130 17529 Swainson's Hawk 0 0 0 Red-tailed Hawk 2 492 626 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 1 3 3 American Kestrel 0 60 538 Merlin 3 14 32 Peregrine Falcon 0 22 26 Unknown Accipiter 0 2 5 Unknown Buteo 1 21 30 Unknown Falcon 0 0 2 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 1 12 Total: 518 22947 45171 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 07:00:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 8 hours Official Counter: Dustin Brewer Observers: Andrew Sturgess, Don Sherwood, Rosemary Brady Visitors: We had a fairly good crowd today, including Joan, who saw her first Golden Eagle! Weather: We warmed up fast today, though when the wind shifted to blow cold air at us from over the lake (at about the time the sun dipped behind the trees behind us!), it was a bit cold. Barometric pressure dropped steadily after 8, and visibility decreased in the afternoon due to haze. Raptor Observations: The highlight of our day was probably the 'lowlight' of the day of three Great Blue Herons who were startled by a very low flying Golden Eagle. As the big raptor soared to the west of us, flashing its white wing patches, our local Cooper's Hawk flew very low over the water directly at us, adding to the afternoon excitement. We also spotted a distant 'grey ghost' (which is an adult, male Northern Harrier), and a Merlin harassing a migrating Sharp-shinned Hawk right in front of us. Non-raptor Observations: At least 450 Red-winged Blackbirds bounded/flapped above the count site, as did over 300 Blue Jays (but they don't bound). A couple more American Crows were spotted today, and will likely be seen in great numbers relatively soon. Rusty Blackbirds and Common Grackles were present. Eight Monarchs were counted today. Predictions: It will likely rain throughout the day tomorrow, which might impede migration. The dropping barometric pressure today may have indicated to the birds what is coming, as we counted relatively few birds. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Detroit River Hawk Watch (greg_norw...@fws.gov) 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 birdalert@ontbirds.ca 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
