Fun Afternoon at Hawk Watch

Fun Afternoon at Hawk Watch - 23 Oct 2026

Morning fog blanketed SE Michigan this morning and took its sweet ole time clearing out. As skies began to clear near noon I headed to Lake Erie Metropark and the Boat Launch to join Bella Maiwum and Johannes Postma and the Detroit River Hawk Watch. Bella was head counter today and mentioned that she didn't start the count until 11 am due to the fog.

I arrived just as the first Turkey Vultures began to appear in the distance over Canada and Celeron Island. Soon large and massive kettles were forming in locations directly across from us and farther south. Birds were moving in many directions so Bella handled TUVU's while Johannes and I concentrated on Red-tailed Hawks, Red-shouldered Hawks and Sharp-shinned Hawks.

Eventually the flight lines led the birds almost directly overhead so we got the chance to get some nice views and photos in the mid-afternoon sun. Blue skies made it very difficult to track birds without binoculars.

Sharp-shinned Hawks.

A flock of 8 American White Pelicans flew in directly overhead.

A Bald Eagle with a fresh catch and several interested tailing gulls.

Hundreds of Double-crested Cormorants on the lake and in the channel.

Red-tailed Hawks.

Backlit Northern Harrier.

We were hoping for Golden Eagles (Holiday Beach had 15 yesterday) but had to settle for Bald Eagles. This one appears to be a 2nd-year bird given the amount of white underneath.