Detroit River Hawk Watch
Brownstown, Michigan, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 18, 2019
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Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
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Black Vulture 0 0 0
Turkey Vulture 2324 36883 37374
Osprey 1 6 36
Bald Eagle 7 18 69
Northern Harrier 10 55 229
Sharp-shinned Hawk 92 1223 3301
Cooper's Hawk 2 42 53
Northern Goshawk 0 0 0
Red-shouldered Hawk 9 49 49
Broad-winged Hawk 34 572 64370
Swainson's Hawk 0 0 0
Red-tailed Hawk 36 248 363
Rough-legged Hawk 8 8 8
Golden Eagle 0 3 3
American Kestrel 11 101 674
Merlin 0 6 22
Peregrine Falcon 2 26 41
Unknown Accipiter 0 0 0
Unknown Buteo 0 0 1
Unknown Falcon 0 0 0
Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
Unknown Raptor 0 0 0
Total: 2536 39240 106593
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Observation start time: 08:00:00
Observation end time: 16:00:00
Total observation time: 8 hours
Official Counter: Kevin Georg
Observers: Andrew Sturgess, Frank Kitakis, John Elliott,
Rosemary Brady
Visitors:
We had assistance today from a spirited bunch of hawk lovers. Special
thanks to Marty, Michelle, Johannes and Dee and their keen eyesight.
Weather:
A more mellow day today after the raucous arrival of the high pressure
system yesterday. The predicted computer model actually conformed to the
weather that we saw today. Easy winds from the NW to start, ending up SE
off the lake kept the wind-turbines in Canada spinning on their towers
chasing the wind around the compass. Sunny skies prevailed with the
occasional cloud to use as a landmark for spotting raptors. The wind kept
our site cool and kept the flight line changing throughout the day. The
barometer did fall throughout the day but less than a tenth of an inch Hg.
Raptor Observations:
Once again we were engaged in the Sisyphean task of counting turkey
vultures in October. They did not make it easy as the day progressed.
Whether due to a higher more northerly flight line or hazy skies obscuring
the view it was difficult to track them. We ended up with 2324. Although
we had expected more birds in the early hours with the NW wind it seemed
that the afternoon hours were more productive as the wind shifted to the
SE. Buteos were on the move but not in kettle quantities yet. 44
red-tailed hawks sailed by, along with 9 red-shoulders. Sharpies were
frequent afternoon flyers with 125. Cooperâs seemed to have taken the
week off with only 2. Harriers rebounded with 14, including a flyover by a
Gray Ghost right over the site. No golden eagles were seen but 7 bald
eagles were counted. An osprey made the list along with 11 kestrels and 2
peregrines.
Non-raptor Observations:
We had our first murder at the site today. Crows were spotted migrating
towards us with their constantly flapping wings. We are always grateful
that they do not flap and glide making it much easier to separate them from
the raptors. A brace of American white pelicans were seen flying over
Celeron Island today. We had observed two birds previously but it is
unknown whether these are the same birds
Predictions:
The barometer is predicted to fall tomorrow but gradually. Light winds are
predicted to stay in the same SE quarter generally. This should not inhibit
the vultures from moving and the sharpies and harriers might be on the
move. Hopefully the drop in pressure will be moderate enough so the buteos
are not inhibited.
AJS
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Report submitted by Kevin Georg ([email protected])
Detroit River Hawk Watch information may be found at:
http://www.detroitriverhawkwatch.org
More site information at hawkcount.org:
http://hawkcount.org/siteinfo.php?rsite=285
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