Date: 10/1/26 3:25 pm From: <reports...> Subject: [birders] Detroit River Hawk Watch (01 Oct 2026) 2 Raptors
Detroit River Hawk Watch Brownstown, Michigan, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 01, 2026 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 6.75 hours
Official Counter: Bella Maiwurm
Observers: 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: "I would rather die of passion than of boredom." Today's counters could not have been in more agreement with Mr. Zola, for conditions could scarcely have been worse for migrating birds. Between the incessant noise of the pile driver, the high humidity, the tiny insects everywhere, low southerly winds, a barometer that was 29.95 at its highest, a suffocating cloud cover, and a birdless sky, time passed like a watched pot for the day's faithful team of two.
Raptor Observations: In spite of the many factors against us, we managed to eke out two thirds of the falcon hat trick. Our only two birds of the day were a kestrel and a peregrine, both flying low directly over the counting picnic table.
Non-raptor Observations: The usual cormorants, mallards, and terns were in attendance today. Swallows, swifts and gulls were also seen, but with conditions as they were, none crowded the sky as they have in the past. The tree behind our usual picnic table dripped with warblers, mostly yellow-rumped, but with a few blackpoll and bay-breasted strewn in. A single parula was also observed. No flocks of blue jays chose to migrate this day, but two monarchs bravely carried on. The most entertaining observation of the day was neither a bird nor a butterfly, but rather a mammal, namely a raccoon. This raccoon was observed exploring the edge habitat near the boathouse, before reappearing near the picnic tables. This opportunistic creature then proceeded to systematically crawl into each and every trash can, starting with the ones furthest to the south and working its way north. We wish this clever fellow well and hope for more natural foraging sources to present themselves.
Predictions: Today's doldrum of a weather system and tonight's rain may set the stage for tomorrow's birds. Let us hope they settle down and stay put until the morning's northerly winds and high barometer tempts them further south. We will be there to count them if they come. ======================================================================== 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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