Date: 10/27/24 5:46 pm From: <reports...> Subject: [birders] Detroit River Hawk Watch (27 Oct 2024) 1554 Raptors
Detroit River Hawk Watch Brownstown, Michigan, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 27, 2024 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 7.5 hours
Official Counter: Michael Patrikeev
Observers: Ben Sehl, Bill Peregord, Mark Hainen, Michelle Peregord, Rosemary Brady, Shelly Andrews
Visitors: We welcome visitors to our site by the boat launch in Lake Erie Metro Park. We have brochures and educational information we are happy to share. Let us share our enthusiasm for migration and raptors with you! While we welcome your questions and company, please know that 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: Sun and cloud; up to 80% cloud cover. Light winds from NNW in the morning, stronger southerly of up to 19 km/hour (12 mi/hr) in the afternoon. Air temperature did not exceed +13C (55F).
Raptor Observations: In the morning, nearly 800 Turkey Vultures moved over Celeron and Gibraltar heading north-west and west, but their migration slowed down as soon when the wind changed direction around noon. Another peak of vulture activity occurred after 3 PM, when a thin, but steady stream of birds was seen crossing over water northwest of the count site. Twenty-nine Red-tailed Hawks, thirteen Bald Eagles, six Golden Eagles, and five Rough-legged Hawks were traveling with the vultures.
Non-raptor Observations: American Crows traveled in flocks of hundreds, totaling 2,070. We also sighted one Bonaparte's Gull, several White Pelicans and Buffleheads. As far as we know, this was first sighting of the latter species at the count site in the fall of 2024.
Predictions: Warmer temperatures and southerly winds are in the forecast for tomorrow. Although we expect to see some vultures and other species, we do not anticipate them in thousands. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Erika Van Kirk (<erika_vankirk...>) Detroit River Hawk Watch information may be found at: http://www.detroitriverhawkwatch.org
