Date: 11/17/24 5:09 pm From: <reports...> Subject: [birders] Detroit River Hawk Watch (17 Nov 2024) 21 Raptors
Detroit River Hawk Watch Brownstown, Michigan, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 17, 2024 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 09:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 6 hours
Official Counter: Michael Patrikeev
Observers: Bill Peregord, Don Sherwood, Frank Kitakis, Michelle Peregord
Visitors: We welcome visitors to our site by the boat launch in Lake Erie Metropark. 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: Wind shifted between south and south-west; strong in the morning (29 km/hr), it slowed down to 14 km/hr by 3 PM (i.e., from 18 to 8 mi/hr). Temperature remained between +9 and +13C (48 to 55F). Mainly cloudy.
Raptor Observations: Today, we counted thrice as many raptors as in the last two days, but... it amounted only to twenty-one birds. Red-tailed Hawks ruled the roost; twelve were counted, including one very unafraid juvenile, which hunted from low perches around the parking lot. There was much excitement when three Turkey Vultures showed up over the sycamore around noon. Copper's Hawk and juvenile Bald Eagles (two of each) went looking to warmer climes or greener feeding grounds. Don spotted a Peregrine over Gibraltar; same (?) bird stooped at something and went out of view later in the day.
Non-raptor Observations: Five American Crows and a scores of other birds, including many American Robins. Bill and Michele spotted ca. 20 pipits flying overhead. A distant medium-sized shorebird was seen, but its identity is uncertain. Two Belted Kingfishers, inhabiting the area, have not yet decided on departure date.
Predictions: Light easterly winds and temperatures between +9 and +14C (48-57 F) are projected for tomorrow. Although easterly winds are favorable for raptor migration at this site, speeds below 10 km/hour (6 mi/hr) may be insufficient to motivate the remaining hawks to move on. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Erika Van Kirk (<erika_vankirk...>) Detroit River Hawk Watch information may be found at: http://www.detroitriverhawkwatch.org
