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
Michigan,UnitedStates
Ontario,Canada
HBMOHoliday Beach
Conservation Area
SMRRLake Erie Metropark
Pointe Mouillee
SGA
Lake Erie
2 miles
Grosse Ile,Michigan
HBMOHoliday Beach
Conservation Area
SMRRLake Erie Metropark
Pointe Mouillee
SGA
Lake Erie
Main Count Site75% of hours
Michigan,UnitedStates
Ontario,Canada
Grosse Ile,Michigan
HBMOHoliday Beach
Conservation Area
SMRRLake Erie Metropark
Pointe Mouillee
SGA
Lake Erie
Secondary Count Site
25% of hours(used on north winds)
Michigan,UnitedStates
Ontario,Canada
Grosse Ile,Michigan
HBMOHoliday Beach
Conservation Area
SMRRLake Erie Metropark
Pointe Mouillee
SGA
Lake Erie
8 miles
Michigan,UnitedStates
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
N
N
N
• 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
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)
Golden Eagle
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)
Osprey
Bald Eagle
Peregrine Falcon
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)
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
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)
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
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-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…
Thanks to…