By: Karen Menard 

As you look up and admire the beautiful colors of autumn, take a second glance at the sky—its blue backdrop may reveal a beautiful glimpse of migrating raptors headed south to warmer climes.

Outward bound, many of the species passing overhead during September and October may be birds from the forests of Eastern Canada funneling down through Southeast Michigan and Northwest Ohio. Unlike songbirds that migrate at night, hawks can easily be seen moving during the daylight hours, taking advantage of the warm air currents, also known as thermals. These thermals aid raptors by offering them a free ride in a sense, allowing for less wing movement and more energy conserved.As the sun warms the earth and the air rises in columns, the soaring birds are effortlessly lifted to greater heights, from one thermal to the next and the next. However, thermals, as important as they are to gliding raptors, do not form over water. Consequently, birds flying toward the Great Lakes from the north will end up either moving along a flight corridor to the east-- skirting the shore of Lake Ontario or venturing west toward our neck of the woods, along the northern shore of Lake Erie, the Detroit River and through parts of southeast Michigan. Keep in mind, “kettles,” or groups of hawks, can more easily be viewed as they lose altitude over these stretches of water.

Overall, the successful passage of these majestic birds really does rely on weather conditions. Timing is everything, but also very difficult to predict to the day. The passage and also the timing of weather fronts is key, but there are also other variables like barometric pressure, wind direction and strength, air temperature and even humidity that need to all come into play for the perfect, magical bird storm to occur overhead.

When everything aligns, the observations can be rewarding—especially the groups of broad-winged hawks that can number into the tens of thousands on a good day over southeast Michigan or drift into parts of northwest Ohio depending on the wind direction. Other species like Sharp-shinned Hawks, Ospreys, Kestrels, and Bald Eagles can also be seen flying in tandem through these important migratory corridors that essentially exist so close to our own backyards. 

Broad-winged Hawks are mainly the standouts as they fly together in kettles and are considered long-distance migrants to Central and South America each fall, logging 3,000-4,000 miles in wing mileage during just a one way flight! Many of these birds originate from the forests of northern Canada, however, some actually head south straight from our backyards in the Oak Openings Region where they nest. 

As predators at the top of the food chain and regulators of natural systems, raptors, as a group, are key indicators of the health of the ecosystems in which they reside and crucial to maintaining environmental balance. With this in mind, and to help keep tabs on the larger scope of raptor populations, there are researchers far and wide, conducting important hawk counts, as well as other interesting breeding and migration studies. In fact, Metroparks Toledo has been leading an annual volunteer effort studying the Oak Openings breeding raptor population, since 2006.

To honor the significant work of hawk surveys, next week (September 13-21), has been designated as International Hawk Migration Week [Details]. In celebration of these larger efforts, grab your binoculars and consider hitting a trail or two and/or a local hawk watch site to get a look at what just might be quietly riding the winds overhead.

And, you don’t want to miss this upcoming presentation:

An Update on Oak Openings Breeding Raptor Research by Metroparks Toledo’s project co-leader and volunteer, Steve Lauer, on Sunday, September 21 at 11:00 at Lake Erie Metropark’s Hawkfest Celebration [Details].  Just a short drive up I-75.

Make a day of it and also visit the Hawk Count area at the park [Details].  

Did you know?
A Hawk Mountain research study noted a Broad-winged hawk logging 562 miles in a ONE day flight from Mississippi to Ohio! Click here for more information on the Broad-winged Hawk study [Details].

Photos: Broad-winged Hawk kettle (stock); Adult Broad-winged Hawk (stock)