Of Gray Ghosts and Golden Eagles - 22 Nov 2022

Daybreak came with clear skies and calm winds. After the past several days of high winds the chance for a decent flight of raptors held promise. I grabbed the gear and headed down to Pt. Mouillee to get a quick loop of the area before heading to the Detroit River Hawk Watch at Lake Erie Metropark. 

A single Red-tailed Hawk was soaring over the quarry along Rheaume Rd. and provided a few nice images as it circled overhead.

Stoneco/Rockwood Quarry, Monroe, Michigan, US
Nov 22, 2022 8:30 AM - 8:45 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.0 mile(s)
1 species

Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)  1

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S159128975

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

Otherwise quiet I headed to Haggerman Rd. where I spotted an American Kestrel perched on a signpost right at the corner of the turnpike. Unfortunately it was on the passenger side of the car so I had to settle for fly-by shots as it took off toward the field to my left. 

Out in the field to the south a small flock of Lapland Longspurs were calling. I only saw birds when they flew off to the south. Meanwhile, scattered Horned Larks were popping up a bit closer but still too far to photograph. Luckily, I spotted a dark mass on the ground up ahead that appeared to be a Northern Harrier. With the window down and camera ready I slowly approached and managed to spend several minutes watching the young Gray Ghost preen.

The suspected sub-adult male was showing bright yellow eyes and the distinctive gray back and nape, but still retained a wash of rufous on the head that made me think that it was not quite a full adult male.

The bird lifted off and flew a short distance farther back into the field but settled back down for several more minutes. This gave me time to pull up the road a bit closer. Unfortunately, heat shimmer posed a bit of a problem even though I was shooting without a lens hood.

When it lifted off a second time I was able to capture some images of the tail feathers that showed red still retained in the outer feathers while the central feathers had turned completely gray.

After watching it land a second time I moved on to let it finish its business.

Antenna Farm, Monroe, Michigan, US
Nov 22, 2022 9:00 AM - 9:15 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.0 mile(s)
4 species

Northern Harrier (Circus hudsonius)  1
American Kestrel (Falco sparverius)  1
Horned Lark (Eremophila alpestris)  6
Lapland Longspur (Calcarius lapponicus)  6

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S159129204

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

I then drove over to the hawk watch at Lake Erie Metropark and ran into Kevin, Andrew, Don and Bill. Birds were flying, and this Cooper's Hawk juvenile was passing overhead just as I walked up. 

Red-tailed Hawks were flying although moving northward and high enough to minimize photo opps.

Red-shouldered Hawks were also moving this morning. This adult bird took its sweet ole' time crossing the channel in front of us. When it finally passed overhead we got nice looks at its rufous coloration and striped wings and tail.

Of course, the highlight this time of year are the Golden Eagle sightings. The first of two Goldens appeared over Canada but drifted north as it crossed the channel. I managed to get some digiscoped images from ½ mile away.

This immature bird appeared over the Ugly House gap and approached directly toward us. The morning Sun hit its head and forewings and produced a glow that illuminated the bird as we waited for it to pass overhead. It did not disappoint.

More Red-tailed Hawks, Cooper's Hawks and Red-shouldered Hawks would make appearances, but keep their distance from the cameras. Still, a most excellent day of enjoying the raptor flights.

Lake Erie Metropark, Wayne, Michigan, US
Nov 22, 2022 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Protocol: Traveling
1.0 mile(s)
Checklist Comments:     Detroit River Hawk Watch
4 species

Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos)  2     Two bird seen today at hawkwatch. Photos.
Cooper's Hawk (Accipiter cooperii)  1
Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus)  6     11 birds reported from Hawkwatch today. Photos.
Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)  6

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S159129680

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