Date: 9/25/25 2:53 pm From: <reports...> Subject: [birders] Detroit River Hawk Watch (25 Sep 2025) 403 Raptors
Detroit River Hawk Watch
Brownstown, Michigan, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 25, 2025
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Observation start time: 08:00:00
Observation end time: 15:00:00
Total observation time: 7 hours
Official Counter: Jo Patterson
Observers: Andrew Sturgess, Bill Peregord, Mark Hainen
Visitors:
We welcome visitors to our site as we are eager to share the joys of hawk
watching with one and all. Although there may be times in which we are all
very busy and need alone-time to concentrate, those are the times that are
most enjoyable for visitors as the skies are filled with migrating raptors.
Weather:
Although the rain passed yesterday, the cloudy aftermath remained today.
The morning hours felt a little close and dull. The afternoon had a little
more light, with blue crevice’s showing in the heavily laden cumulus
clouds of many hues, ranging from dark steel blue to titanium white. The
light winds were their usual indecisive selves with peaks and valleys in
strength, retaining a northerly component for the most part; although the
wind seemed to be coming off the lake at the end of the day, which is not
to the north. The temperature topped out at seventy-four degrees. The
barometer finally bottomed out at 29.8 inches and should begin a gradual
climb over the next few days. An interesting day to look at, with
constantly changing clouds, a day always looking like it wanted to clear
up, but never quite managing to do so.
Raptor Observations:
We are in a transitional time in the hawk watch. The broadwings race is
nearly run and the turkey vultures are getting into the starting blocks
with a few leaving before the gun has fired. We counted one hundred and
thirty-four of them today. They are starting to kettle and stream in bigger
numbers, even though some single birds are still wandering aimlessly around
the sky. The broadwings were not too far behind today with one hundred and
seventeen being observed. No big kettles anymore, but an unsteady trickle
of handfuls of birds. Ninety-eight sharpies flew by, most taking the high
road in the light winds. It was a neck-stretching day today, watching high
overhead for most travelers. Kestrels numbered thirty-one birds. Fourteen
harriers pumped through. The number three was shared by both red-tailed
hawks and Cooper’s hawks. We also noted one peregrine falcon.
Non-raptor Observations:
Gull flak was an issue today as there seemed to be a large migration of
dragonflies that attracted attention. The gulls took to the air, performing
aerobatics in pursuit of prey. Even some broadwings were seen hawking
insects. Every small kettle of raptors seemed to be located in a large
kettle of gulls, needing to be sorted out and counted. The pelicans were
small in number today, roosting by the Celeron jetty. What appeared, at
first glance, to be a flight of them turned out to be about twenty mute
swans flying in formation. Our resident kingfisher was out today. The
marshes have returned to marshy status after the heavy rains of yesterday.
Blue jays numbered two thousand, eight hundred and seventy today. Monarchs
came in heavier numbers later in the day, but only forty-two were counted.
Predictions:
Tomorrow should be sunnier with temperatures about two degrees higher. The
barometer will be slowly rising, but stay in the 29.8” range. Winds are
going to be light from a west-north-west direction. Light winds are usually
erratic, rising and falling during the day, no matter what the prediction
says. The birds will probably be high again, but hopefully, a few more will
come our way. The usually suspects at this time of year, sharpies,
kestrels, harriers, straggling broadwings and a growing number of turkey
vultures should be on the menu.
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Report submitted by Andrew Sturgess (<ajyes72...>)
Detroit River Hawk Watch information may be found at:
http://www.detroitriverhawkwatch.org
