Sunday, Sept. 20th
11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Migrating Raptors at the Detroit River Hawk Watch

Location: Lake Erie Metropark (park at the boat launch just past the Marshland Museum and Nature Center)
Please join co-leaders Brandon Brywczynski and Pete Blank for a day of looking for raptors and other birds at Lake Erie Metropark in Wayne County, Michigan. We’ll start at the Detroit River Hawkwatch to look for migrating raptors such as broad-winged hawk, sharp-shinned hawk, peregrine falcon, and American kestrel. At 11 a.m. we’ll meet with a park ranger from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service who will discuss the hawk watch, hawk migration, and provide helpful identification tips. After that, we’ll look for hawks and other raptors on our own (this will also be a good time to eat lunch). Then we’ll walk through the park looking for specialties such as rusty blackbirds, fall warblers, and early-arriving wintering waterfowl. Meet at the Detroit River Hawkwatch, located just south of the boat launch of Lake Erie Metropark. Please bring lunch, water, and shoes for walking on dirt paths. This will be the peak of hawk migration and tens of thousands of hawks have been seen at this time of year before! This will also be the weekend of Lake Erie Metroparks’ HawkFest – a family event featuring vendors (including Vortex Optics), crafts, games, hourly presentations, and a food truck.