GIBRALTAR, Michigan — Visitors to Lake Erie Metropark on Tuesday were treated to the incredible sight of more than 29,000 turkey vultures soaring overhead throughout the day, setting a new daily record for turkey vulture sightings at the site.
The new high was reported in a social media post this week by the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge, which added that people visiting the area now should look out for opportunities to see turkey vultures during the fall migration.
Turkey vultures spend the summer breeding season in the northeastern and western United States and southern Canada, according to Cornell University’s All About Birds, a bird guide. During this time, they fly in flocks called “kettles” to the southern states or as far away as Central America.
The traveling vultures spotted over the Metroparks this week were counted as part of the annual Detroit River Hawk Watch, a long-term bird monitoring project that takes place each September through November.
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At this time each year, the lower Detroit River becomes a migratory bird corridor for birds, including hawks, eagles, falcons, vultures and other raptors. Metroparks’ privileged location just south of the river makes it the perfect place for hawking staff to systematically count birds, collecting data that can help inform future research and conservation efforts.
Visitors can come to the park’s boat launch to see the Hawk Watch in action and see the spectacular sight of migrating birds with their own eyes.
The monitoring program is conducted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge and the International Alliance for Wildlife Refuges. Learn more here.
