11,000 Turkey Vultures - 09 Oct 2025
Skies were clear again today following yesterday's 13,000+ raptor survey at the Detroit River Hawk Watch. Winds were still N but would soon shift to the S in the mid-afternoon. The result was another 10,000+ Turkey Vulture haul. They were moving all day long but flight lines were distant: either to the S over Lake Erie or to the N over the N end of the Metropark. Scopes were busy all day but we managed a few flyover birds. This Cooper's Hawk battled the N wind and came close enough for a flyover pic session. Note the tear-drop chest markings (they'd be blotchy on a Sharpie). This was taken w/ a 600mm lens! The TV's were far enough away that I needed the reach just to see them through the viewfinder. I managed to find a late Broad-winged Hawk among them! This Red-tailed Hawk gave the best looks today. Another overtime was needed for Jo and Andrew to capture the remaining Turkey Vultures moving through the count site.
