Date: 9/28/26 2:57 pm From: <reports...> Subject: [birders] Detroit River Hawk Watch (28 Sep 2026) 296 Raptors
Detroit River Hawk Watch Brownstown, Michigan, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 28, 2026 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 7 hours
Official Counter: Gracie Sangmeister
Observers: Bill Peregord, Don Sherwood, Mark Hainen, Rebekah Graham, Rosemary Brady
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: Our pile driver neighbors came back today, pounding our eardrums with the same vigorous force with which they pounded the sea wall. An hour in, one counter was sent on a quest for ear plugs, at which point the construction workers decided to move on to other tasks. Those in the park spent the rest of the day in aural bliss. Though the raptors trickled in more than they poured, counters were kept busy enough with traffic encouraged by light winds from the north and north northwest, and a barometer that managed to stay above 30". Clouds were scarce in the morning hours, but then moved in to lend a backdrop to the high fliers.
Raptor Observations: Today's total came to two hundred and ninety-six. Turkey vultures again took the highest number at one hundred and thirty-five; an additional dozen failed to make the count as they were witnessed headed in the wrong direction. Sharp-shins were plentiful at ninety-nine. Thirty-seven kestrels passed through with them. Broad-wings were few and far between at thirteen. Five harriers were counted, as were three red-tails who seem to finally be turning south. One merlin and one Cooper's hawk made the clicker. Two unknown buteos chose not to reveal themselves in the morning glare, hard as we tried to turn them into red-shoulders.
Non-raptor Observations: A large flock of non-caspian terns flew straight into the sun early in the day. Few mallards flew by, and the egret spent little time on its favored log, but the cormorants were out and about in their usual tree. The resident eagles were also quite active, seen soaring high and low all day long. A young peregrine was observed trying its hand at hunting, folding its wings in a full stoop before pulling up short, its target seemingly no longer worth the effort. Seven hundred and forty-four blue jays were seen migrating, as were two monarchs.
Predictions: Tomorrow will likely feel much the same to the counters, but worsen for the birds. Temperature will again reach a high of 73F, skies will be partly cloudy to sunny, and the barometer will stay above 30". Winds will unfortunately stay low, and change from northerly to southerly by 11am. Raptor predictions remain a coin toss, but the outlook is not promising. ======================================================================== 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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