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Fall Migration: Raptors on the Move

9.9.2026

By Kevin Arnold, Interpretive Services Supervisor

The autumn months are an active time for birds, and raptors (hawks, eagles, falcons, vultures, and osprey) are no exception. Some species are short-distance migrants, traveling just a few hundred miles to find more fertile feeding grounds for the winter months. The Turkey Vultures we see during the summer are an example of this. Others, like the Broad-winged Hawk, can travel over 4,000 miles each way en route to wintering grounds in Central and South America.

A mature bald eagle in flight. Bald eagles are among the raptors that typically only migrate short distances to congregate in large groups along open waterways such as the Detroit River or places where dams or warm water discharge keeps water open and prey accessible. Other raptors travel thousands of miles to find food during Michigan’s cold winters.

Most of these birds travel along predictable pathways to get to their winter retreat. Because of this, researchers have established Hawk Watches along these routes to count the raptors that pass through each season. These numbers are compared with other watches along the route to identify areas where the birds encounter issues that may affect their populations. One of the most important Fall Hawk Watch sites in North America, the Detroit River Hawk Watch, is located at the Boat Launch at Lake Erie Metropark.

Official Hawk Watch sites exist along important flyways, the paths that many birds take during migration. A combination of topography and weather patterns often dictates these. The Hawk Watch site at Lake Erie Metropark is staffed by trained counters from September 1st to November 30th every day -unless truly inclement weather moves in and the watch is canceled for the day.

 

Averaging around 120,000 raptors from 16 different species each year, the Detroit River Hawk Watch is the largest (numbers-wise) watch site in eastern North America. Counters and volunteers gather between September 1st and November 31st to count the birds crossing from Canada to avoid the 50-plus-mile, energy-consuming flight over Lake Erie. September brings large numbers of birds (mostly Broad-winged Hawks), October brings a variety of species, and November brings the rarities such as Golden Eagles and Rough-legged Hawks. Many of the birds crossing at Lake Erie join birds from the Western, Central, and other Eastern flyway paths and funnel through Veracruz, Mexico, where an astonishing 4 million raptors cross throughout the fall.

Migration mysteries

While we may immediately think that warm winter temperatures drive migration, it is typically the things that those warm temperatures provide: open water, insects, carrion that isn’t frozen and buried in snow, and food resource availability more than just needing warmth!

Birds of prey migrate along well-established corridors that take advantage of natural topography like rivers, coastlines, and valleys in mountain ranges. They, like other migratory birds, want to reduce their energy expenditure on long flights, so they use warm air currents rising off the land, called thermals, as well as prevailing wind patterns to help push them southward. The right wind and weather conditions can send thousands and thousands of birds moving at once, all funneled through specific features of the landscape.

Using points along these traditional routes, Hawk Watch counts help scientists and community members observe trends and patterns in species and populations, and any changes that may be occurring over time. Each site follows standard protocols to ensure that data is equivalent across locations and time. The 2026 fall count season will be the 44th season for the Detroit River Hawk Watch. Staff and volunteers are present to help visitors understand what they’re seeing, and the public is invited to visit. Some days are busier than others, and there may be times when the counters are too busy to assist with visitor questions!

If you want to visit on a “good” day, where high numbers of birds are predicted, following the hawk watch’s social media site is a good way to get current information, learn about the protocols, and learn some tips and techniques for identifying raptors in flight!

An osprey in flight. These fish-eating birds are among the first wave of migratory species each year as they need open water for fish. The females typically start leaving Michigan in August, followed by the adult males in September, and the young of the year in September and October. Each species typically has a peak migration period, timed to its unique diet, habitat, and overwintering destination.

 

Realizing what a unique and exciting phenomenon raptor migration can be, the Staff at the Lake Erie Marshlands Museum hosts its celebration of all things raptor the third full weekend of September, known as Hawkfest. Now in its 33rd year, Hawkfest brings speakers, live birds of prey presenters, falconry clubs, vendors, crafts, games, and more together for this one-of-a-kind event. Whether you are a novice birder or a seasoned professional, there is something for everyone at The Detroit River Hawk Watch and Hawkfest. So, keep your eyes to the skies this fall for Fall Raptors on the Move.

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