Sharp-shooting - 16 Oct 2021

Two days of rain ended this morning and skies began to clear. A cool WNW wind was blowing and temps were hovering near 50F. Conditions were ripe for a nice rebound flight at the Detroit River Hawk Watch after the rainout yesterday. I reached the hawk watch shortly after 10 am and hoped for a good raptor flight.

By 11 am the first Turkey Vultures were showing but way to the north. They started drifting overhead as the winds picked up.

Sharp-shinned Hawks started flying, as well, but we also moving to the north. Then to the south. Then, finally, toward us. And fly they did! Low over the water and motivated by purpose. They came in hard and fast, and we had to be ready for them as they blasted by us; sometimes too close to focus. 

Several American Kestrels joined them, and were also a challenge to photograph.

3000+ total raptors would be counted for the day, despite the brisk west winds. I left just before noon as the skies clouded over.  

Lake Erie Metropark, Wayne, Michigan, US
Oct 16, 2021 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Protocol: Stationary
Checklist Comments:     Detroit River Hawk Watch
9 species

Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura)  2456     Actual count from hawk watch.
Northern Harrier (Circus hudsonius)  1
Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus)  417     Actual count from hawk watch
Cooper's Hawk (Accipiter cooperii)  3
Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)  5
Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus)  1
Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)  23
American Kestrel (Falco sparverius)  121     Actual count from hawk watch
Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus)  1

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S159704531

This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (https://ebird.org/home)