Date: 9/27/26 5:22 pm From: <reports...> Subject: [birders] Detroit River Hawk Watch (27 Sep 2026) 311 Raptors
Detroit River Hawk Watch Brownstown, Michigan, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 27, 2026 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 7 hours
Official Counter: Gracie Sangmeister
Observers: Andrew Sturgess, Don Sherwood, Mark Hainen, Rebekah Graham
Visitors: We welcome visitors to our site at the Lake Erie Metropark Boat Launch. We are always willing to discuss the events of the day. Let us share our enthusiasm with you. There will be busy days, that may require our full attention, but those are not that frequent, and they provide great thrills for all. We can predict good days to some degree, but the exact hour is up to the birds, so be prepared to put in some time for the best results. Pack a lunch 🤙
Weather: Today's level of success was simply a matter of perspective. Though we passed a rather low key day and said as much to inquiring passersby, those same visitors reminded us of the non-migratory pleasures that surrounded us. The continuation of the weekend saved us from the aural aggression of the pile driver, the sun shone in a clear blue sky, and the northerly breeze was light. The barometer stayed above 30", the humidity dropped steeply throughout the day from 89% to 39%, and visibility remained high.
Raptor Observations: We managed to raise the bar from yesterday, achieving a total of three hundred and eleven migrating raptors. The turkey vultures teetered into first place at one hundred seventy-four. The sharp-shins, mostly skirting the tree line or high in the blue, came in second at one hundred and nine. Eleven broad-winged hawks and eleven kestrels tied for third. Harriers were fourth, totaling five in number. A lone red-tail made the tally, edging us into six species for the day.
Non-raptor Observations: Monarchs were few, only two were seen. One thousand five hundred and eleven blue jays were counted migrating in their typical fast and furious fashion. The resident eagles gave us a brief show, a young bird choosing to tussle with an adult. A gull successfully caught or stole a fish which was too big for its throat, and entertained watchers by flying around with it half out of its mouth. As usual, the Carolina wrens sang, the gulls fooled us into looking, and the cormorants sunned themselves in their favorite tree.
Predictions: Tomorrow promises to be much the same as today in quite literally every way. The skies are predicted to be sunny and cloudless, the temperature will rise to 73F, and winds will be light from the north and north northeast. Only the barometer will change, unfortunately plunging to 29.99" before the count day is up. We still hope for our reliable sharpies and the oncoming vultures, but whether the day will reward is with much more is anyone's guess and more influenced by warring optimism and pessimism within than by known fact. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Erika Van Kirk (<erika_vankirk...>) Detroit River Hawk Watch information may be found at: http://www.detroitriverhawkwatch.org
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