Detroit River Hawk Watch Brownstown, Michigan, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 14, 2025 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 2965 43470 45551 Osprey 0 0 28 Bald Eagle 3 27 124 Northern Harrier 2 48 411 Sharp-shinned Hawk 15 508 3531 Cooper's Hawk 3 24 51 American Goshawk 0 1 1 Red-shouldered Hawk 12 37 37 Broad-winged Hawk 0 46 51920 Swainson's Hawk 0 1 1 Red-tailed Hawk 45 219 365 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 0 4 6 American Kestrel 3 33 956 Merlin 1 6 39 Peregrine Falcon 0 10 40 Unknown Accipitrine 0 0 1 Unknown Buteo 0 1 3 Unknown Falcon 0 0 3 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 6 9 Total: 3049 44441 103077 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 8 hours Official Counter: Jo Patterson Observers: Andrew Sturgess, Bill Peregord, Don Sherwood, Johannes Postma, Mark Hainen, Rosemary Brady Visitors: We welcome visitors to our site as we are eager to share the joys of hawk watching with one and all. Although there may be times in which we are all very busy and need alone-time to concentrate, those are the times that are most enjoyable for visitors as the skies are filled with migrating raptors. Weather: The day began under a hazy blue sky. The sun’s intense glare off the lake made looking east nearly impossible for the first three hours of the watch. Haze obscured any view into Canada, forcing us to scour the horizon and strain our eyes for vultures emerging from the “haze portal.” Wind out of the north had us expecting a decent flight, though patience was required as it didn’t reach ideal speeds until around 11:30. A brief swing to the northwest slowed migration for about two hours, but once the wind shifted back to the northeast, we ended the day with plenty of kettles. The barometer fluctuated slightly, but remained around 30.2”. Air temperatures were pleasant throughout the day, topping out at 70°F. Raptor Observations: We started the morning with two donuts again, but we know the drill by now — patience pays off. Before long, the clickers were in motion. A massive kettle of Turkey Vultures, nearly one thousand strong, emerged dramatically from the haze. Several hundred more followed the same route over the next four hours, totaling an impressive two thousand, nine hundred and sixty-five vultures for the day. What made the flight truly special was that nearly all these birds passed within naked-eye range — a spectacle we’re not often treated to. Mingling within the vulture ranks came forty-five Red-tailed Hawks, fifteen Sharp-shinned Hawks, twelve Red-shouldered Hawks, three Bald Eagles, three Cooper’s Hawks, three American Kestrels, two Northern Harriers, and one Merlin. The low flight line and bright sunlight showcased plumage details rarely visible, especially among the Buteos. Red-shouldered Hawks flashed their translucent crescents, adults displaying rich rufous chests, while Red-tails revealed astonishing plumage variety — young birds glowing bright through their wing panels. Non-raptor Observations: Ruby-crowned and Golden-crowned Kinglets, White-throated Sparrows, Yellow-rumped Warblers, and plenty of American Robins serenaded us from the maples. Tree Swallows hawked insects and squabbled with one another across the sky. Pelicans flew by the hundreds once again. Blue Jays tallied four hundred and twenty, while American Crows contributed a modest five early movers. Two Monarch Butterflies were spotted on their southbound journey — we hope they make it. We appreciated a flock of Rusty Blackbirds chattering from the branches of an elm, providing a moment of calm — until a Cooper’s Hawk dove into the scene. The blackbirds scattered instantly, leaving the unsuccessful hawk perched alone and dejected in their place. Predictions: Tomorrow should bring cloudy skies, cooler air temperatures, and continued northerly winds. Migration numbers will likely mirror those of the past few days. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Jo Patterson (jopatterson06@gmail.com) 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