Hawk Migration Studies by Southeastern Michigan Raptor...

Hawk Migration Studies by

Southeastern Michigan Raptor Research

at the Detroit River Mouth:A Basic Look

Paul CypherSoutheastern Michigan

Raptor Research

1983: Started as a volunteer-staffed hawkwatch based at Lake Erie Metropark using multiple count stites (known as Lake Erie Metropark Hawkwatch); coordinated by Tim Smart1990: Coverage more consistent; First season w/100,000+ birds

1998:Obtained 501(c)3 status 2000: Hired first paid counter (funding from MDNR)2001: Began receiving fundingfrom Detroit Edison/ DTE Energy2003: Recorded 3 millionth bird2003: Documented 23rd species

1994:435,000 total birds 1996: 500+ hours of observation

Michigan,UnitedStates

Ontario,Canada

HBMOHoliday Beach

Conservation Area

Lake Erie

Grosse Ile,Michigan


Ontario,Canada

HBMOHoliday Beach

Conservation Area

SMRRLake Erie Metropark

Pointe Mouillee

SGA

Lake Erie

2 miles

Grosse Ile,Michigan

HBMOHoliday Beach

Conservation Area


Pointe Mouillee

SGA

Lake Erie

Main Count Site75% of hours


Ontario,Canada

Grosse Ile,Michigan

HBMOHoliday Beach

Conservation Area


Pointe Mouillee

SGA

Lake Erie

Secondary Count Site

25% of hours(used on north winds)


Ontario,Canada

Grosse Ile,Michigan

HBMOHoliday Beach

Conservation Area


Pointe Mouillee

SGA

Lake Erie

8 miles


Ontario,Canada

Grosse Ile,Michigan

• Flight Preferences of individual species

• Wind: Speed and Direction• Cloud cover, barometric pressure, etc.

• Water: Shorelines and Islands• Altitude: High (Canada) vs. Low (Michigan)

• Geography: Landform funnel effect

Factors Influencing Migration

8:00AM

10:00AM

• Flight Preferences of individual species

• Wind: Speed and Direction• Cloud cover, barometric pressure, etc.

• Water: Shorelines and Islands• Altitude: High (Canada) vs. Low (Michigan)

• Geography: Landform funnel effect

Factors Influencing Migration

51Peregrine FalconFalco peregrinus

50MerlinFalco columbarius

1,739American KestrelFalco spaverius

111Golden EagleAquila chrysaetos

71Rough-legged HawkButeo lagopus

7,414Red-tailed HawkButeo jamaicensis

8Swainson’s HawkButeo swainsoni

183,895Broad-winged HawkButeo platypterus

792Red-shouldered HawkButeo lineatus

34Northern GoshawkAccipiter gentilis

619Cooper’s HawkAccipiter cooperii

9,449Sharp-shinned HawkAccipiter striatus

802Northern HarrierCircus cyaneus

170Bald EagleHaliaeetus leucocephalus

140OspreyPandion haliaetus

32,160Turkey VultureCathartes aura

SMRR Season Averages (1992 - 2003)

Red-tailed Hawk

Broad-winged Hawk

Rough-legged Hawk

Swainson’s Hawk

Golden Eagle

Osprey

Bald Eagle

Peregrine Falcon

Osprey: 1992-2004

050

100150200250300

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

*200

4

Bald Eagle: 1992-2004

0

50

100

150

200

25019

92

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

*200

4

Peregrine Falcon: 1992-2004

0

20

40

60

80

10019

92

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

*200

4

Turkey Vultures

Turkey Vulture: 1992-2004

010,00020,00030,00040,00050,00060,00070,00080,000

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

*200

4

Red-shouldered Hawk

Red-shouldered Hawk: 1992-2004

0

200

400

600

800

1,000

1,20019

92

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

*200

4

0102030405060708090

100

2001 2002 2003 *2004 Theo.

ImmatureAdult

Red-shouldered Hawk Adult/Immature Ratios 2001-2004

0102030405060708090

100

2001 2002 2003 *2004 Theo.

ImmatureAdult

Red-shouldered Hawk Adult/Immature Ratios 2001-2004

NO RECRUITMENT?!?!

Conclusions:

• Migration studies must continue…

• Includes long-term funding for counters, bandersand on-site/off-site education

Thanks to…

Hawk Migration Studies by Southeastern Michigan Raptor...

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