Date: 11/7/25 4:58 pm From: <reports...> Subject: [birders] Detroit River Hawk Watch (07 Nov 2025) 21 Raptors
Detroit River Hawk Watch Brownstown, Michigan, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 07, 2025 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 09:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 5 hours
Official Counter: Jo Patterson
Observers:
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: Rain postponed the start of the watch by two hours, and the sky remained draped in thick overcast until the final thirty minutes of the day. A strong southwest wind, gusting over twenty miles per hour, swept the low clouds northward. The barometer dropped, and the air stayed heavy with humidity, occasionally releasing a faint mist. The one redeeming element of the weather was the mild temperature, which lingered above fifty degrees. With the wind at our backs, it was surprisingly pleasant to sit outside despite the gloomy skies.
Raptor Observations: Few birds dared to push against the relentless headwind today. A kettle of twenty Turkey Vultures passed by close, wobbling in the turbulence before pressing south. A single Sharp-shinned Hawk braved the gusts, skimming low between the trees.
Non-raptor Observations: The resident Bald Eagles seemed to relish the wind, tumbling and playing with one another high above Celeron. The Merlin that has been hunting the area for several days made another appearance, dashing around bird feeders. Meanwhile, geese and ducks crowded into the slip, which remains shallow as strong winds have pushed much of the water over toward the New York shore.
Predictions: Tomorrow shows promise for a good November flight. A moderate northeast breeze of five to nine miles per hour, paired with a rising barometer, could encourage the last lingering vultures in Canada to lift off and inspire a fresh wave of Red-tailed and Red-shouldered Hawks to move south. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Jo Patterson (<jopatterson06...>) Detroit River Hawk Watch information may be found at: http://www.detroitriverhawkwatch.org
