Broad-winged Hawks at Lake Erie Metropark 9/16-9/19/2019

   I spent a few days at the Detroit River Hawk Watch at Lake Erie Metropark trying to catch the Broadwinged Hawk migration.  The Broadwings put on a good show on Monday (35,000) and Tuesday (23,000).  The volume tapered off substantially the rest of the week as the winds shifted from north to unfavorable south.

  Below is a video of Broadwings streaming out of one kettle and into another.  Note the lack of flapping as they conserve energy by gliding from one thermal to another.

   It was a bad week for local fish as the Bald Eagles and Ospreys patrolled the Detroit River.

Orange is the new snack

      Dave Boon tipped me off to an injured immature Yellow-crowned Night Heron at Port Sunlight Rd. near Estral Beach.