Date: 11/18/24 4:07 pm From: <reports...> Subject: [birders] Detroit River Hawk Watch (18 Nov 2024) 25 Raptors
Detroit River Hawk Watch Brownstown, Michigan, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 18, 2024 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 09:15:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 6.75 hours
Official Counter: Michael Patrikeev
Observers: Jerry Jourdan, Rosemary Brady
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: Fog lifted ca. 09:15 AM, but it was still hazy until noon. In the morning, wind was so light, the flags hardly moved at all. Around 1 PM, it shifted to the south, but did not exceed 10 km/hour (6 mi/hr) at any given time. Temperature between +9 and +13C (48-55F). Barometric pressure was dropping steadily.
Raptor Observations: Low numbers. Red-tailed Hawks "outnumbered" other species again (14 of 25). It was nice to see Sharp-shins (5) and one Red-shouldered Hawk; both were absent from our counts for 4-5 days. A lone Turkey Vulture sailed over the canal, searching for his friends. Local Bald Eagles were active in late afternoon; two pairs were involved, perhaps in a territorial dispute. Earlier in the day, we saw a 4th year bird (in the fourth basic plumage, with dark remaining on the head and rectrices).
Non-raptor Observations: Corvids: 34 American Crows and one Blue Jay. A flock of ca. 50 Rusty Blackbirds by the wetland at the count site. American Tree Sparrow - 2.
Predictions: Rain (4-5 mm) is expected tomorrow, between 9 AM and 7 PM, most intensive in the morning. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Erika Van Kirk (<erika_vankirk...>) Detroit River Hawk Watch information may be found at: http://www.detroitriverhawkwatch.org
