The Detroit River Hawk Watch–Lake Erie MetroPark

A standardized monitoring program, the Detroit River Hawk Watch, 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), at the Lake Erie Metropark in Gibraltar, MI. Join us and witness spectacular flights of Broad-winged Hawks, Sharp-shinned Hawks, American Kestrals, and potentially more! 

We will watch for and learn to identify migrating raptors in flight. Hawk watching is a largely stationary event so bring a comfy chair, dress for the weather, and bring something to eat and drink. Erika Van Kirk, the coordinator of the Detroit River Hawk Watch, will speak to the group around 10:30 a.m. to provide an introduction to this important annual initiative to understand and document raptor migration through southeast Michigan.

Please note that the Hawkfest event is happening on September 20th and 21st at Lake Erie Metropark. The event celebrates the annual hawk migration and there are lots of things to see and do at the Marshlands Museum as well as the official Hawk Watch count site.

Want to learn more about raptor ID? Check out our October 2022 program, “Identifying Raptors in Flight” with friend of WAS, Josh Haas. It’s a great program. 

Directions: Upon entering Lake Erie Metropark, follow the signs to the boat launch (map). Once at the boat launch, look for trip leader Kate Jackman in a blue WBNA hat, and co-leader James Weir who will be wearing a bright orange “Great Gull Island” baseball cap for maximum visibility. A metropark pass per vehicle is required for entry. Pass information here. Please note that if parking is busy due to Hawkfest at the boat launch (where the Hawk Watch count location is), y0u may need to park nearby and walk a short distance.