Date: 11/15/25 2:32 pm From: <reports...> Subject: [birders] Detroit River Hawk Watch (15 Nov 2025) 1 Raptors
Detroit River Hawk Watch
Brownstown, Michigan, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 15, 2025
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Observation start time: 09:00:00
Observation end time: 16:00:00
Total observation time: 5 hours
Official Counter: Jo Patterson
Observers: Don Sherwood
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:
Mist settled over the site this morning, muting the horizon and obscuring
our more distant landmarks. The grass and tables glistened with the
remnants of last night’s rain, and a heavy stratus deck loomed overhead,
threatening to open again at any moment. A southwest wind began to surge
within the first hour and only grew in strength, holding steady around
twenty miles per hour with gusts pushing past thirty. Under those
conditions, hope for meaningful migration was slim. As if to underline the
point, the barometer—already low—continued its downward slide.
Raptor Observations:
Only one Sharp-shinned Hawk made it onto the tally today, slipping through
low and fast to avoid the worst of the wind.
Non-raptor Observations:
The soundtrack of the morning came from Rusty Blackbirds calling from the
snags, and Great Blue Herons were conspicuous throughout the day. A
Peregrine Falcon, perched on Celeron, took exception to one of the herons
and launched a chase that sent the rest scattering. A Merlin cut across the
seawall early, then returned about an hour later sporting a very full crop.
The heavily marked juvenile Red-tailed Hawk—often seen in the company of
a notably pale adult—made two brief showings as well.
Predictions:
Tomorrow promises modest improvement. The barometer is expected to rise,
and temperatures will dip slightly. Winds will swing to the northwest, a
more favorable direction for movement, though their strength—sustained at
fifteen to twenty miles per hour with gusts over thirty—may still be too
forceful to allow for a strong flight.
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Report submitted by Jo Patterson (<jopatterson06...>)
Detroit River Hawk Watch information may be found at:
http://www.detroitriverhawkwatch.org
