Date: 10/9/24 5:31 pm From: <reports...> Subject: [birders] Detroit River Hawk Watch (09 Oct 2024) 3337 Raptors
Detroit River Hawk Watch
Brownstown, Michigan, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 09, 2024
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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, Johannes Postma, Mark Hainen
Visitors:
We welcome visitors to our site by the boat launch in Lake Erie Metro Park.
We are happy to share raptor ID tips and pamphlets with you!
Weather:
Lots of sunshine today. The temperature reached a high of 17C and light to
moderate NW winds blew for the duration of the count. Between the breeze
and the shade of the turning maple, we were pretty chilly today. Fall
weather seems to finally be upon us! The barometer dropped slightly, and
humanity remained low.
Raptor Observations:
Over 3,000 raptors were counted today: not quite as good as Monday, but a
strong finish, nonetheless. Turkey Vulture were the bulk of our birds:
3,240 made the clicker. The first vulture kettles were seen around 10am and
strong numbers persisted right up to the end of the day, with a notable
peak at noon. Sharp-Shin and Red-Tail were our next biggest players: 45 and
26 respectively. Sharpies came mostly as singles, flying low and battling
the winds. Red-Tails were hidden within vulture kettles and most IDs were
thanks to Don’s impressive ability to pick them out. 7 high flying Bald
Eagles made the count, as well as 8 Harriers, 1 Coop, 1 Red-Shoulder, 1
Broad-Wing, 5 Kestrel, and 1 Peregrin. The Peregrin came low overhead,
right in time to be seen by a visiting school group!
Non-raptor Observations:
1,785 Blue Jay were counted this morning, mostly in the first hour of our
watch. Large groups of Pelican flew circles over Celeron and the lake
throughout the day.
Predictions:
Tomorrow should be another day of clear skies and crisp air. Wind is
predicted to be a light breeze from the NE in the morning before switching
to SE later in the afternoon. The favorable morning wind direction, paired
with a rising barometer, could mean another great day for our migrants.
Fingers crossed we find a Golden Eagle in the mix sometime soon.
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Report submitted by Erika Van Kirk (<erika_vankirk...>)
Detroit River Hawk Watch information may be found at:
http://www.detroitriverhawkwatch.org
