Date: 10/31/24 4:02 pm From: <reports...> Subject: [birders] Detroit River Hawk Watch (31 Oct 2024) 5 Raptors
Detroit River Hawk Watch
Brownstown, Michigan, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 31, 2024
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Observation start time: 08:00:00
Observation end time: 15:00:00
Total observation time: 7 hours
Official Counter: Andrew Sturgess, Jo Patterson
Observers: Don Sherwood, Erika Van Kirk, Jo Patterson
Visitors:
We welcome visitors to our site by the boat launch in Lake Erie MetroPark.
We are willing to spread the gospel with pamphlets and information cards,
along with tips on IDing the raptors, and photography tips for those behind
the cameras. Let us share our enthusiasm for this miracle of nature with
you.
Weather:
Harry Nilsson informed us that “One is the loneliest number that you will
ever do.” It seemed that might be an ambitious number of raptors to hope
for when looking at today’s forecast. A roaring wind out of the
south-westerly quarter that started around fourteen mph and reached
twenty-three with gusts exceeding that number. The barometer bottoming out
as a low-pressure area approached. Rain and thunderstorms appeared in the
early forecast. It did not inspire confidence. Yellow leaves flew by us as
the nearby maple shed its foliage, prepping for the winter to come…if it
ever does. Unfortunately, the leaves far outnumbered the countable migrants
flying in the sky, much as we expected.
Raptor Observations:
Five birds. Two red-tailed hawks, two sharpies, one harrier. The harrier
did its usual very low flight over the water when the winds are really
blowing. It understands laminar flow apparently.
Non-raptor Observations:
The non-raptor side of things was a little more interesting today. Swallows
continue to ply their trade, even in the stiff winds. A common loon was
seen flying much lower than they normally do, skimming the treetops on
Celeron Island. Bonaparte’s Gulls were seen over the lake, around twenty
or so. A pair of terns were seen there too. It was too dark to see whether
Forster’s or Common. Four sandhill cranes did the flyover today. Great
blue herons were not intimidated by the maelstrom and a couple were noted
flying by. Thousands of ducks are out on Lake Erie riding the whitecaps
today. They all took off when the M/V Columbia Star/American Century, my
old home away from home, sailed by with a load of coal for Monroe. Killdeer
were up today, flopping around much more than they usually do. Greater
Yellowlegs were seen in the mudflats as the southwest wind had pushed a lot
of water up to Buffalo leaving the marshes drained
Predictions:
Our fortunes should change tomorrow. The barometer will rocket up as
high-pressure rolls in. This brings colder air from the north. The
temperature will drop about twenty degrees from today’s balmy
seventy-three to around fifty-degrees. The winds, the winds, therein lies
the rub. Strength wise, still in the teens to start the day, coming from
the west, and turning west-northwest as the day progresses. Not quite the
sweet spot we would hope for, but certainly better than today.
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Report submitted by Andrew Sturgess (<ajyes72...>)
Detroit River Hawk Watch information may be found at:
http://www.detroitriverhawkwatch.org
