Date: 10/18/25 2:41 pm From: <reports...> Subject: [birders] Detroit River Hawk Watch (18 Oct 2025) 514 Raptors
Detroit River Hawk Watch
Brownstown, Michigan, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 18, 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, Bill Peregord, Don Sherwood, Mark Hainen,
Michelle Peregord
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:
We were slow to react to the Christmas tree lights today, but unlike our
results from a few days past, we got stuck in first gear and never got up
to speed. The problem was the southern winds, they brought the heat with
them, the thermometer reached eighty-two, but they also moved the flight
line north to an area which we could not observe. The wind rose and fell,
veered and backed, evidenced by our taking off layers, and then replacing
them as the wind direction changed to come off the lake. Fifteen mph was
the top speed, too strong for our site. The barometer is falling as we
approach a bottom tomorrow. At the watch’s end, it was 29.67 inches,
destined to fall another three tenths tomorrow. Clouds were constantly
changing, with various layers scudding along. We ended with high cirrus
clouds, possibly a lot of them from plane contrails. During the day we had
our share of low cumulus that varied from sun-blocking near-stratus to
isolated puffballs.
Raptor Observations:
We had four hundred and ninety turkey vultures today, a mere pittance of
what we saw a few days ago. Most of these birds may have sat down overnight
from yesterday’s flight and were early risers. They took the great circle
route, which we think crosses at Grosse Ile, turning to the west far to the
north, flying in a very difficult hazy sky that we had trouble piecing.
Sharpies were buffeted by the wind and only fifteen showed up today. Four
red-tailed hawks flew by. Three Cooper’s hawks were noted. A pair of
northern harriers came by together.
Non-raptor Observations:
We did have a couple of Bonaparte’s gulls this morning, our first
confirmed sighting. We know that they are present in great numbers
relatively nearby, but they have not ventured into our neighborhood. The
pelicans continue to stretch their wings, over Canada for the most part.
Today must have been the opening of duck season as the hunters were out in
force, some near their usual roosting spot by the jetty. Butter-butts and
kinglets of both persuasions continue to be seen on the trails. Hermit
thrushes have been spotted by some. The blue jay count was forty today, the
crow count was twenty. Six monarchs were seen in the warm air today.
Predictions:
Fuggedaboutit. If the forecasts are correct, and they are usually perfect,
(right?) then we will have no chance tomorrow. Not only will rain and
thunderstorms affect the area, but the winds should be double the speed
that killed us today. Projected to start at twenty-one mph, and only drop
by one or two mph during the watch, it may be time to take a well-earned
day of rest. Temperatures will be falling from sixty-five to fifty-seven
during the watch hours, as real fall temperatures are on the way for the
foreseeable future. The barometer should bottom at 29.36” before a
rebound occurs, with northwest winds ushering in a new high. Most of this
will take place overnight, but Monday will be a day to watch, Sunday may be
a day to watch football. We’ll see what conditions are like in the
morning.
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Report submitted by Andrew Sturgess (<ajyes72...>)
Detroit River Hawk Watch information may be found at:
http://www.detroitriverhawkwatch.org
