Detroit River Hawk Watch Brownstown, Michigan, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 14, 2019 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 1975 29588 30079 Osprey 0 5 35 Bald Eagle 0 9 60 Northern Harrier 0 38 212 Sharp-shinned Hawk 77 964 3042 Cooper's Hawk 0 39 50 Northern Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 2 32 32 Broad-winged Hawk 0 538 64336 Swainson's Hawk 0 0 0 Red-tailed Hawk 4 169 284 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 0 3 3 American Kestrel 3 76 649 Merlin 0 4 20 Peregrine Falcon 2 21 36 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: 2063 31486 98839 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 16:30:00 Total observation time: 7 hours Official Counter: Kevin Georg Observers: Andrew Sturgess, Mike, Mike Mcevoy, Patrick Mulawa, Raburn Howland, Rosemary Brady Visitors: Bill (No Goldens) and Michelle came for a visit. Johannes came for the afternoon hours. The morning hours bore more fruit but then came the midday lull. With the weather it was a challenging day for all. Weather: Another day of fresh westerly winds with changing skies ranging from gun metal blue clouds to start the day with short intervals of blue sky, followed by dark leaden clouds and back to blue again. The temps and wind were enough to make you wonder whether one more layer might have been more appropriate. West winds are felt at the site so the exposure created a chill factor that isn't there with the more southerly winds. Barometer rose a little during the day but still just over 30". Raptor Observations: Turkey vultures didn't mind the west winds in their faces as they handle most winds with aplomb. We had nearly 2K today but the flight line was varied over the course of the day. Sharpies made a comeback with 77; fighting the winds, getting buffeted all over the sky. Falcons were few in number but 2 peregrines and 3 kestrels eased the pain. Always good to see peregrines. The buteos are waiting for a northerly wind before moving in numbers and only 4 red-tails and 2 red-shoulders were observed. Non-raptor Observations: Some blue jays were seen in the morning but not in big numbers. The highlight of the day in non-raptor observations were two American White Pelicans seen flying in tandem over the lake. This is our second sighting this season and we are up to twenty birds total. Predictions: The barometer is scheduled to drop about three tenths of an inch tomorrow starting at about the time the watch commences. This is not Chamber of Commerce weather. Winds will gather strength throughout the day coming from the south. Again, not good. Rain is coming and tomorrow will be a prelude. Probably TV's and sharpies might move but I don't think buteos will feel encouraged to move. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Jerry Jourdan (jerry.jourdan@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