Detroit River Hawk Watch Brownstown, Michigan, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 30, 2019 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 156 491 491 Osprey 1 30 30 Bald Eagle 5 51 51 Northern Harrier 9 174 174 Sharp-shinned Hawk 90 2078 2078 Cooper's Hawk 1 11 11 Northern Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 0 Broad-winged Hawk 153 63798 63798 Swainson's Hawk 0 0 0 Red-tailed Hawk 3 115 115 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 0 0 0 American Kestrel 19 573 573 Merlin 1 16 16 Peregrine Falcon 0 15 15 Unknown Accipiter 0 0 0 Unknown Buteo 0 1 1 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 0 0 Total: 438 67353 67353 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 7 hours Official Counter: Kevin Georg Observers: Andrew Sturgess, Mark Hainan, Mark Hainen, Patrick Mulawa, Rosemary Brady Visitors: Roll Tide. Visitors were on the slim side today as might be expected with the weather but one Alabama sweat-shirt wearing aspiring bird photographer made an appearance. Weather: In a scene at times more suitable for a backdrop for Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce sleuthing out The Hound of the Baskervilles mystery on foggy moors we sat down to count those intrepid birds that chose to make the flight on instruments rather than relying on impeded sight. The winds went round from NE to SSE throughout the day and skies were finally clearing towards the end. Barometer started on the high side despite the looks of the sky but fell a full tenth during the day. Our flight seemed to diminish with that fall and the easing winds. Raptor Observations: The broadwings are still flying, in smaller numbers of course, and seem to be teaming up with the early turkey vultures that are getting a jump on their brethren. 150+ TV's and 130+ BW were counted. Sharp shins continue to move with 90, kestrels were present too but in lesser numbers. Red tailed hawks numbered 3. Harriers nearly made double digits with 9. 1 angry merlin was noted. We suspect that we may have had more birds on the move but visibility issues were problematic. Non-raptor Observations: It was a dreary day with some of our landmarks disappearing at times in a foggy haze that enveloped us. A cormorant provided some entertainment as it struggled to get a longnose gar down the hatch. All the fish eaters eat the fish headfirst so a very thin nosed, foot-long fish presented a challenge. Of course, the bird managed it eventually but not without some considerable effort expended. Predictions: Tomorrow is forecast to have increasing SW winds with possibly record setting temperatures in the high eighties. The barometer will be falling as rain approaches. Not our favorite scenario. Bring bathing suits. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Jason Sodergren (ja...@taiga.com) 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 Count data submitted via Dunkadoo - Project info at: https://dunkadoo.org/explore/detroit-river-international-wildlife-refuge/detroit-river-hawk-watch-fall-2019 _______________________________________________ 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