Welcome to the new Detroit River Hawk Watch website hosted by the International Wildlife Refuge Alliance in partnership with the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge
Click here to view the 2009 Narrative Report, or the 2009 Summary Report, or the 2008 Migration Report
All data from the Detroit River Hawk Watch since 1991 is now available at Hawkcount.
For the compiled data since 1991, as well as a concise description of the hawk watch program,
During the autumn months, the lower Detroit River is a corridor for the passage of migratory raptors. Hundreds of thousands of hawks, eagles, falcons, and other birds of prey migrate and are concentrated at this location where it is possible to systematically count them each year. A standardized monitoring program is conducted by the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), the
Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge (DRIWR)
and its friends group, the International Wildlife Refuge Alliance (IWRA).
For information on how you can contribute, please contact Greg Norwood (DRIWR) or the IWRA staff.
Detroit River Hawk Watch:
Broad-winged Hawks (Buteo platypterus) concentrate at the lower Detroit River each September and offer an opportunity to systematically monitor them through this corridor. This data contributes to the larger regional population trends. Photo credit: Jeff Schultz
Detroit River Hawk Watch:
- Collects systematic data on the migration of hawks, eagles, and falcons at the mouth of the Detroit River from September through November
- Inputs the data into the International HawkCount database provided by the Hawk Migration Association of North America and
- Disseminates findings to the public and to the scientific community (through reports and journal articles).
Driving Directions
Lake Erie Metropark (LEMP) used most days:
From I-75 exit at Huron River Drive (exit 27). Continue east on Huron River Drive. Turn left on West Jefferson and proceed a few hundred yards to the entrance of Lake Erie Metropark. After paying the entrance fee, follow the signs to the Boat Launch.
Pointe Mouillee State Game Area (used during significantly northerly winds):
From I-75 exit at Huron River Drive (exit 27). Continue east on Huron River Drive. Turn right on West Jefferson and proceed south to Campau Road. Turn left and follow this dirt road to the Game Area Headquarters. Park near the boat launch. The count will be conducted from the beautiful deck overlooking the mouth of the Detroit River.
From I-75 exit at Huron River Drive (exit 27). Continue east on Huron River Drive. Turn left on West Jefferson and proceed a few hundred yards to the entrance of Lake Erie Metropark. After paying the entrance fee, follow the signs to the Boat Launch.
Pointe Mouillee State Game Area (used during significantly northerly winds):
From I-75 exit at Huron River Drive (exit 27). Continue east on Huron River Drive. Turn right on West Jefferson and proceed south to Campau Road. Turn left and follow this dirt road to the Game Area Headquarters. Park near the boat launch. The count will be conducted from the beautiful deck overlooking the mouth of the Detroit River.
