Date: 10/30/26 2:37 pm From: <reports...> Subject: [birders] Detroit River Hawk Watch (30 Oct 2026) 1279 Raptors
Detroit River Hawk Watch
Brownstown, Michigan, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 30, 2026
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Observation start time: 08:00:00
Observation end time: 16:00:00
Total observation time: 7.5 hours
Official Counter: Gracie Sangmeister
Observers: Bella Maiwurm, Bill Peregord, Don Sherwood
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:
A mix of blue and high thin clouds, temps in the high 40s to low 60s, north
westerly type winds around 5mph, and the normal morning haze in the
distance. Pleasant day to be outside, and the north winds after a few days
of southerly winds was a nice change.
Raptor Observations:
Very quiet morning with a kettle of turkey vultures putzing around over
Canada for the first two hours of the count before finally deciding to move
along. Turkey vultures seemed to come in smaller groups over the treetops
before flying over the water south for the first half of the day, then
after the lunch lull picking up again very low and distant. A nice late day
push of them brought the daily total to over one thousand. Red tails and
red shoulders were interspersed in the vulture kettles, a few sharp shinned
hawks darted by, and three golden eagles made an appearance today. The
local bald eagles were active, chasing each other around or flying low over
us at the picnic tables.
Non-raptor Observations:
The passerine count was lower today, fewer starlings and red-winged
blackbirds undulating their way across than previous days. From the snags
behind the count, the groups that remained chattered continuously
throughout the day, making sure we didn�t forget that they were there. Our
first pine siskin of the season was heard, a quick pass overhead before
disappearing beyond the marsh. I hope for more to come! The gregs remain in
the marsh, growing in numbers before they too make their way south. Picnic
table locals were out this morning, including the woodpecker trifecta,
downy, red-bellied, and flicker, along with white-throated sparrows,
northern cardinals, and carolina wrens. Crows took first place in migrating
numbers today, with one thousand, two hundred and ninety-two. One late
monarch was seen, and I wish him well.
Predictions:
Tomorrow�s weather doesn�t look too promising, with temperatures peaking at
fifty-nine degrees, winds from the southeast at five mph, and clouds
covering the sky from start to finish. The barometer will still be up,
around thirty point four for most of the day, but other factors may limit
movement. As always, we never know what the birds will do, but fewer
migrating raptors seems likely for tomorrow.
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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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