Detroit River Hawk Watch Brownstown, Michigan, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 14, 2019 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 14 3464 51672 Osprey 0 0 35 Bald Eagle 0 11 89 Northern Harrier 12 50 315 Sharp-shinned Hawk 12 194 4051 Cooper's Hawk 1 23 106 Northern Goshawk 0 0 1 Red-shouldered Hawk 12 243 438 Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 64336 Swainson's Hawk 0 0 0 Red-tailed Hawk 52 1102 1960 Rough-legged Hawk 1 6 7 Golden Eagle 1 13 17 American Kestrel 0 4 702 Merlin 0 1 32 Peregrine Falcon 0 6 52 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: 105 5117 123814 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 09:00:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 6 hours Official Counter: Kevin Georg Observers: Andrew Sturgess, Raburn Howland, Rosemary Brady Visitors: We had one nice couple from Taylor today. Not the most hospitable day weather wise but we did get to show a sharpie passing over. Weather: Another day that tested the resolve of those that choose to count hawks in November. The skies retained their variations on the gray theme although there was a very faint hint of blue as the clouds thinned during the early afternoon hours. This was short lived as the clouds seemed to thicken again and the air seemed more chilled. Winds were steady from WSW and thankfully stayed below double digits allowing some birds to reach us today. The barometer stayed steady at 30.2" Raptor Observations: An interesting day with some diversity, although not staggering numbers. 14 turkey vultures tripped the light fantastic. Number one on the list was 52 red-tailed hawks in many different plumages. Three species shared the number 12, red-shoulders, harriers and sharp-shins. The gray ghosts seemed to be on the move today. Coming in tied at 1 apiece were a light morph rough-legged hawk, a Cooper's hawk, and a golden eagle. Non-raptor Observations: Common loons were observed out on the lake bobbing for shad. Bonaparte's are still fishing for minnows in their delicate way. A few tree swallows are still here but they were back to working the water instead of the snow today. Ducks and swans are still taking flights around the area. Predictions: Another day that starts with WSW winds backing around to W later on. Winds should be below double digits again. Barometer should be relatively stable in a high normal pressure. Some sun should finally come out and the temps should eke out a position above freezing, but not by much, and by not enough for those foolish to sit outside all day. Could be a day much like today with erratic flights and some downtimes. I think there are plenty of birds out there but getting them close is another matter. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Andrew Sturgess (ajyes72@gmail.com) Detroit River Hawk Watch information may be found at: http://www.detroitriverhawkwatch.org More site information at hawkcount.org: http://hawkcount.org/siteinfo.php?rsite=285 Count data submitted via Dunkadoo - Project info at: https://dunkadoo.org/explore/detroit-river-international-wildlife-refuge/detroit-river-hawk-watch-fall-2019