Detroit River Hawk Watch Brownstown, Michigan, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 21, 2012 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 1892 30209 33957 Osprey 3 17 69 Bald Eagle 8 62 183 Northern Harrier 8 60 192 Sharp-shinned Hawk 139 1577 3207 Cooper's Hawk 24 111 248 Northern Goshawk 1 1 2 Red-shouldered Hawk 22 89 107 Broad-winged Hawk 0 4 40923 Swainson's Hawk 0 0 3 Red-tailed Hawk 48 357 543 Rough-legged Hawk 0 1 1 Golden Eagle 0 1 1 American Kestrel 15 137 509 Merlin 3 12 33 Peregrine Falcon 1 12 28 Unknown Accipiter 2 16 36 Unknown Buteo 2 8 22 Unknown Falcon 0 0 1 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 25 61 Total: 2168 32699 80126 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 07:00:00 Observation end time: 15:45:00 Total observation time: 8.75 hours Official Counter: Jonathan Stein Observers: Andrew Sturgess, Don Sherwood, Patrick Mulawa Visitors: Steve Cashell, Rosemary Brady, Martin Berthiaume, Richard Naber, Rodney Laura, Pat Bazany, Joseph Faggan, Stevie Kuroda and Bruce Watson. Weather: The skies were mostly clear, save for a two hour period midday when some puffy white clouds materialized. Temperatures were mild, hovering around the upper 50s most of the day. Morning fog limited visibility early. The wind was out of the west and southwest, shifting to the southeast late. Raptor Observations: It was an action-packed twelve species day. We saw our second Northern Goshawk of the season, had our second straight three Merlin day and got great looks at two close adult male harriers. Several kettles of Turkey Vultures came right overhead and mixed in were quite a few Red-shouldered and Red-tailed Hawks. Non-raptor Observations: There was a lot of songbird activity, most notably Red-winged (12000+) and Rusty (400+) blackbirds, both of which were moving in numbers in the morning. Also on the move were: House Finch (10+), American Goldfinch (200+), Pine Siskin (45+), Blue Jay (150+), American Crow (4000+), American Robin (30+), Northern Flicker (2), Northern Rough-winged Swallow (4) and Tree Swallow (500+). One Palm Warbler and one Blackpoll Warbler joined a large flock of Yellow-rumped Warblers in the trees near the count site. Cedar Waxwings (15+) were noted for the second day in a row. Lastly, Monarchs (8) were more abundant than they have been of late. Predictions: Partly cloudy with highs in the upper 60s and light wind out of the south. There is a slim chance of showers in the afternoon. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Jonathan Stein (jonathanjst...@gmail.com) SMRR- Lake Erie Metropark information may be found at: http://www.drhawkwatch.org Site Description: The primary site used by the Detroit River Hawk Watch (a joint venture of the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge and it's Friends group, the International Wildlife Refuge Alliance) is the Boat Launch at Lake Erie Metropark located approximately 20 miles south of Detroit, Michigan. A secondary site, the Headquarters of Pointe Mouillee State Game Area is used during certain wind conditions. When staffing is available, both sites can be used at the same time. The season begins on the first day of September and concludes on the final day of November. For details and directions, log on to www.drhawkwatch.org 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 birdalert@ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
