Date: 10/17/25 4:47 pm From: <reports...> Subject: [birders] Detroit River Hawk Watch (17 Oct 2025) 1976 Raptors
Detroit River Hawk Watch
Brownstown, Michigan, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 17, 2025
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Observation start time: 08:00:00
Observation end time: 15:00:00
Total observation time: 7 hours
Official Counter: Jo Patterson
Observers: Andrew Sturgess, Don Sherwood, Mark Hainen
Visitors:
We welcome visitors to our site as we are eager to share the joys of hawk
watching with one and all. Although there may be times in which we are all
very busy and need alone-time to concentrate, those are the times that are
most enjoyable for visitors as the skies are filled with migrating
raptors.
Weather:
The sky stayed partly cloudy throughout the day, but the view was anything
but static. Cirrus and stratus clouds shared the stage, swirling and
drifting at their own altitudes. From below, we watched them mingle, part,
and leave behind wide patches of blue. They might have made perfect
reference points for calling out birds—if there had been any to call out.
The wind blew steadily from the south, never dropping below 10 mph. With
the temperature climbing close to 65°F and the treeline shielding us from
the gusts, it almost felt warm. The barometer dipped below 30", beginning
its steep fall ahead of the rain expected this weekend.
Raptor Observations:
Several large groups of Turkey Vultures that had roosted near the Canadian
border lifted off together, wasting no time kettling before heading our
way. Turkey Vultures are masters of effortless flight—soaring and gliding
for hours with barely a wingbeat. Their steeply held wings form a deep
dihedral that keeps them stable in turbulent air, giving them their
signature teetering motion. Like a sailboat tacking into the wind, that
wing posture also helps them maneuver efficiently against a headwind.
Today’s strong southern winds carried the vultures northward over the
river before they turned sharply over Grosse Ile, circling back low on our
west side—so low they nearly skimmed the treetops. A total of one
thousand nine hundred and thirty Turkey Vultures were counted. Other
species struggled more with the wind. A Northern Harrier was seen lifting
off from Gibraltar three separate times, each attempt ending with the bird
being buffeted back to the ground. On the fourth try, it finally gathered
enough resolve to cross the water. The species fared decently overall, with
fourteen counted—tying with Sharp-shinned Hawks, which also kept low in
the blustery air. Red-tailed Hawks edged them out with fifteen. Single
individuals of Cooper’s Hawk, Merlin, and Golden Eagle rounded out the
day’s list.
Non-raptor Observations:
A northbound Merlin was the first raptor spotted this morning—likely the
same one later counted. It had probably spent the night in the park and
lingered to hunt before resuming its journey. Along the maples, we
continued to see Hermit Thrush, Yellow-rumped Warbler, White-throated
Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, and Golden-crowned
Kinglet. No crows or monarchs were recorded, but thirty migrating Blue Jays
passed through. A pair of local Bald Eagles hunted ducks along the river,
squabbling over a catch and sending clumps of the waterfowl’s feathers
drifting behind them.
Predictions:
Tomorrow’s forecast calls for temperatures in the 70s, strong southerly
winds, a rapidly falling barometer, and evening rain—conditions unlikely
to favor migration.
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Report submitted by Jo Patterson (<jopatterson06...>)
Detroit River Hawk Watch information may be found at:
http://www.detroitriverhawkwatch.org
