Winds of Change - 09 Nov 2024
Forecasts called for E winds this morning that would hopefully induce a nice flight of raptors over Lake Erie Metropark and the Detroit River Hawk Watch. It did not disappoint.
I arrived at the count site around 9:30 am and found Michael Patrikeev by himself. Minutes later Don Sherwood joined us, and a bit later we were joined by Johannes Postma. Red-tailed Hawks were flying by the 2's and 3's with most birds crossing to the north of the count site. We had a few raptors fly over nearby including this juvenile Cooper's Hawk.
American Crows were migrating by the 100's. We'd finish the day with almost 1500.
Golden Eagles did not disappoint, either. We had 10 birds crossing (mostly very distant) by 11 am. This individual flew over the parking lot of the boat launch.
The remaining birds were at scope distance, sometimes far over Lake Erie to the south or far north of the park itself. But we had as many as 4 birds at a time. The important thing was not to mistake them for juvenile Bald Eagles like this one.
At approximately 11 am the winds began to shift to the South. This pushed birds low and directly overhead. We had numerous Red-tailed Hawks crossing low enough to see with naked eyes.
Red-shouldered Hawks were also crossing in the mix.
Large kettles of Turkey Vultures forming over Celeron Island were pushed out over Lake Erie and crossed directly overhead, as well.
By 11:30 am the winds would be blowing directly from the S and strong enough that action shut down almost completely. We saw perhaps 2 birds for the next 2 hours and would get shut out for the rest of the day. I would take a few pics of Bonaparte's Gulls flying across the channel in front of us to bide my time.
Lake Erie Metropark--Detroit River Hawk Watch, Wayne, Michigan, US
Nov 9, 2024 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Protocol: Stationary
Checklist Comments: Michael Patrikeev, Don Sherwood, Johannes Postma, me. Winds E until 11:30 am then shift to S. Cool, 50F. Mostly clear.
23 species
Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) 6
Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) 2
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) 2
Canvasback (Aythya valisineria) 6
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) 2
Bonaparte's Gull (Chroicocephalus philadelphia) 6
Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis) 12
American Herring Gull (Larus smithsonianus) 1
Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps) 1
Double-crested Cormorant (Nannopterum auritum) 2
Great Egret (Ardea alba) 4
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) 1
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) 100 Official tally was 103.
Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) 10 All seen between 9:30 and 11:30 am. As many as 4 at a time flying over Celeron Island before drifting to north of count site. Slight dihedral, white wing patches, white tail w/ black terminal band, small head, golden nape. Verified by scope and consensus of 4 counters.
Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus) 2
Cooper's Hawk (Astur cooperii) 3
Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) 3
Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus) 5
Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) 165
Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) 1
Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens) 1
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) 1500
Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus) 1
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S2
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (https://ebird.org/home)
Nov 9, 2024 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Protocol: Stationary
Checklist Comments: Michael Patrikeev, Don Sherwood, Johannes Postma, me. Winds E until 11:30 am then shift to S. Cool, 50F. Mostly clear.
23 species
Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) 6
Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) 2
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) 2
Canvasback (Aythya valisineria) 6
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) 2
Bonaparte's Gull (Chroicocephalus philadelphia) 6
Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis) 12
American Herring Gull (Larus smithsonianus) 1
Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps) 1
Double-crested Cormorant (Nannopterum auritum) 2
Great Egret (Ardea alba) 4
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) 1
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) 100 Official tally was 103.
Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) 10 All seen between 9:30 and 11:30 am. As many as 4 at a time flying over Celeron Island before drifting to north of count site. Slight dihedral, white wing patches, white tail w/ black terminal band, small head, golden nape. Verified by scope and consensus of 4 counters.
Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus) 2
Cooper's Hawk (Astur cooperii) 3
Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) 3
Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus) 5
Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) 165
Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) 1
Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens) 1
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) 1500
Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus) 1
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S2
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (https://ebird.org/home)
