Detroit River Hawk Watch Brownstown, Michigan, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 01, 2020 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 132 132 1860 Osprey 0 0 23 Bald Eagle 2 2 27 Northern Harrier 5 5 126 Sharp-shinned Hawk 113 113 2064 Cooper's Hawk 2 2 11 Northern Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 2 Broad-winged Hawk 12 12 15657 Swainson's Hawk 0 0 0 Red-tailed Hawk 2 2 127 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 0 0 0 American Kestrel 7 7 391 Merlin 2 2 21 Peregrine Falcon 13 13 41 Unknown Accipiter 0 0 0 Unknown Buteo 0 0 1 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 0 0 Total: 290 290 20351 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 13:00:00 Total observation time: 5 hours Official Counter: Kevin Georg Observers: Andrew Sturgess, Rosemary Brady Visitors: While Lake Erie Metropark is currently open to the public, for the safety of our counter and volunteers we encourage visitors to follow along with the count virtually on HawkCount.org, or our Detroit River Hawk Watch Facebook page. There will be daily updates and photographs. If you do decide to join us in person, please help the counter and volunteers to follow their mandated safety protocols by refraining from approaching them. Please follow the recommended Covid 19 procedures by wearing a mask and maintaining a safe social distance. Thanking you in advance for your cooperation. Stay safe! Weather: A gorgeous fall day greeted us today with tableaus of cloud formations that defied adequate description by simple scribes like me. Lots of stalagmite formations rising from white bases well lit by the morning sun provided the perfect backdrop for finding raptors. The multicolored clouds grew in size and color variations throughout the day until finally a purple hue signified danger in the early afternoon when persistent thunder and lightning replaced the idyllic nature of the morning. It was no longer safe to watch for raptors as the entire state seemed to have popup storms and we were under a severe weather warning in our area. The mostly W winds were strong enough to cause the birds to fly with trimmed sails and erratic flights. The barometer had risen overnight, ahead of the predicted schedule but gradually dropped a tenth as the severe weather approached. Raptor Observations: The raptors seemed to enjoy the scenery early in the morning as much as we did. Falcons in particular have been moving in the last few days. We recorded seven kestrels, two merlins and our largest number of peregrines at thirteen. The peregrines were often seen diving on other birds and even each other at times. The turkey vultures are still coming in relatively low numbers and we had one hundred thirty two riding the winds in small groups. We had two red-tailed hawks visit us today, we are hoping for more tomorrow on the northerly winds. Five harriers decided to head south today. In the accipiter family, one hundred twelve sharpies made the trip, some flying just above the water to stay below the winds, two Cooper’s hawks joined them in crossing. Two bald eagles were separated from the locals that were up enjoying the free lift from the winds. We are still seeing broad-wings but the twelve we saw today will not make up for missing the big movement a couple of weeks ago. Non-raptor Observations: Blue jays continue their exodus from Canada in impressive numbers. 2020 will, of course, be remembered for its many changes in our lives but for bird watchers the year will be known as the year that blue jays filled the sky. I can hardly wait to see the crows this year. A flock of about 40 Forster’s terns was seen flying in formation, almost like shorebirds darting this way and that, in the morning hours. I’m not sure where they are feeding or roosting but we are not seeing them in front of us. Swallows and swifts continue to ply their trade around us making our job a little more difficult with them and the blue jays requiring a look to eliminate them as raptors. Predictions: Tomorrow has a good look to it on paper. The winds will be moderate from the NW or WNW with a rising barometer; two good signs to look for. It should be sunny with increasing clouds in the afternoon to help us spot birds. Hopefully, we will see more buteos but the usual suspects should also enjoy moving on this wind. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Kevin Georg (kevin.l.georg@gmail.com) Detroit River Hawk Watch information may be found at: http://www.detroitriverhawkwatch.org More site information at hawkcount.org: https://hawkcount.org/siteinfo.php?rsite=285