Detroit River Hawk Watch (30 Oct 2024) 285 Raptors

R
reports@hawkcount.org
Thu, Oct 31, 2024 1:46 AM

Detroit River Hawk Watch
Brownstown, Michigan, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 30, 2024

Species            Day's Count    Month Total  Season Total


Black Vulture                0              0              0
Turkey Vulture            270          60641          61574
Osprey                      0              2            18
Bald Eagle                  3            105            138
Northern Harrier            0            135            318
Sharp-shinned Hawk          2          1252          3389
Cooper's Hawk                0            36            75
American Goshawk            0              0              0
Red-shouldered Hawk          0            166            166
Broad-winged Hawk            0            37          6785
Swainson's Hawk              0              1              1
Red-tailed Hawk              7            872            927
Rough-legged Hawk            0            14            14
Golden Eagle                0            44            44
American Kestrel            2            123            402
Merlin                      0              9            23
Peregrine Falcon            0            20            28
Unknown Accipiter            0            10            15
Unknown Buteo                0            18            31
Unknown Falcon              0              5            13
Unknown Eagle                1              3              3
Unknown Raptor              0              6            28

Total:                    285          63499          73992

Observation start time: 08:00:00
Observation end  time: 15:00:00
Total observation time: 7 hours

Official Counter:        Michael Patrikeev

Observers:        Don Sherwood, Jo Patterson

Visitors:
We welcome visitors to our site by the boat launch in Lake Erie Metropark!
Come visit us for ID tips and other educational information. While we
welcome your questions and company, please know our professional counter,
apprentices, and volunteers must communicate with each other frequently to
successfully conduct the count and they also must maintain an unobstructed
view of the horizon.

Weather:
The unseasonably warm weather continued today. Temperatures ranged from 18C

  • 24C (64F - 75F). A strong SSW breeze continued to strip the leaves off
    our maple, although the leaves hit us with less vigor than yesterday. Cloud
    cover increased throughout the day and the barometer remained around 30
    inHg.

Raptor Observations:
285 raptors today, only slightly worse than yesterday. The bulk, of course,
were Turkey Vulture. 270 vultures glided across the treetops to the North.
They flickered in and out of the haze, traveling painfully slow in the
headwind. 2 Kestral, 7 Red-tail, 2 Sharp-shins, and 3 Bald Eagle also
braved the wind.

Non-raptor Observations:
Although there were not many migrants, we still had a wonderful time
observing our local diversity. A local Bald Eagle with a fish was chased
and harassed by a young Herring Gull. Unfortunately for the gull, its
attempts to make the eagle drop its snack were unsuccessful. The local
Cooper’s was observed shadowing another Starling ball. The same Coop was
also seen hunting the Gibraltar birdfeeders. Lots of Asian lady beetles
continued to crawl around us, but we also found a native twice-stabbed
ladybug! A red-veined meadowhawk dragonfly caught a fly and ate it at our
feet.

Predictions:
Tomorrow is predicted to be similar to our last two days: temperatures in
the high 60s, strong SSW winds, and variable cloud cover. However, we do
have a chance for afternoon rain showers. Halloween may not be the best day
for our migrants, but we are hopeful that the incoming rain and cold front
will bring a glorious Friday flight.


---======
Report submitted by Erika Van Kirk (erika_vankirk@fws.gov)
Detroit River Hawk Watch information may be found at:
http://www.detroitriverhawkwatch.org

More site information at hawkcount.org:  https://hawkcount.org/siteinfo.php?rsite=285

Detroit River Hawk Watch Brownstown, Michigan, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 30, 2024 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 270 60641 61574 Osprey 0 2 18 Bald Eagle 3 105 138 Northern Harrier 0 135 318 Sharp-shinned Hawk 2 1252 3389 Cooper's Hawk 0 36 75 American Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 166 166 Broad-winged Hawk 0 37 6785 Swainson's Hawk 0 1 1 Red-tailed Hawk 7 872 927 Rough-legged Hawk 0 14 14 Golden Eagle 0 44 44 American Kestrel 2 123 402 Merlin 0 9 23 Peregrine Falcon 0 20 28 Unknown Accipiter 0 10 15 Unknown Buteo 0 18 31 Unknown Falcon 0 5 13 Unknown Eagle 1 3 3 Unknown Raptor 0 6 28 Total: 285 63499 73992 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 7 hours Official Counter: Michael Patrikeev Observers: Don Sherwood, Jo Patterson Visitors: We welcome visitors to our site by the boat launch in Lake Erie Metropark! Come visit us for ID tips and other educational information. While we welcome your questions and company, please know our professional counter, apprentices, and volunteers must communicate with each other frequently to successfully conduct the count and they also must maintain an unobstructed view of the horizon. Weather: The unseasonably warm weather continued today. Temperatures ranged from 18C - 24C (64F - 75F). A strong SSW breeze continued to strip the leaves off our maple, although the leaves hit us with less vigor than yesterday. Cloud cover increased throughout the day and the barometer remained around 30 inHg. Raptor Observations: 285 raptors today, only slightly worse than yesterday. The bulk, of course, were Turkey Vulture. 270 vultures glided across the treetops to the North. They flickered in and out of the haze, traveling painfully slow in the headwind. 2 Kestral, 7 Red-tail, 2 Sharp-shins, and 3 Bald Eagle also braved the wind. Non-raptor Observations: Although there were not many migrants, we still had a wonderful time observing our local diversity. A local Bald Eagle with a fish was chased and harassed by a young Herring Gull. Unfortunately for the gull, its attempts to make the eagle drop its snack were unsuccessful. The local Cooper’s was observed shadowing another Starling ball. The same Coop was also seen hunting the Gibraltar birdfeeders. Lots of Asian lady beetles continued to crawl around us, but we also found a native twice-stabbed ladybug! A red-veined meadowhawk dragonfly caught a fly and ate it at our feet. Predictions: Tomorrow is predicted to be similar to our last two days: temperatures in the high 60s, strong SSW winds, and variable cloud cover. However, we do have a chance for afternoon rain showers. Halloween may not be the best day for our migrants, but we are hopeful that the incoming rain and cold front will bring a glorious Friday flight. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Erika Van Kirk (erika_vankirk@fws.gov) Detroit River Hawk Watch information may be found at: http://www.detroitriverhawkwatch.org More site information at hawkcount.org: https://hawkcount.org/siteinfo.php?rsite=285