Yes, that’s right, hawk. Most have heard of a fine kettle of fish but hawk. I was confused until the folks at Hawkfest 2010 explained it all to me. I don’t want to get too far ahead of myself just yet. I was impressed with the turnout. I didn’t know there were so many people out there interested in raptors. When I got close to the nature center the road was blocked and I thought there may be an accident but it was the scouts directing traffic.
Traffic, how many people out there are interested in raptors? Ask the scouts they’ve been helping out for Hawkfest for over 15 years and they’re from Ferndale. Boy Scout Troop 1204 and Cub Scout Troop 1245 were directing cars and shuttles without a hitch. I’m estimating 400 cars were there just in the short time I was there and that‘s not counting all the cars by the boat launch.
Members of the Michigan Hawking Club brought hawks and discussed falconry. Live birds of prey were brought out during special programs by Joe Rogers. Presentations on the Osprey Recovery Project, Peregrine Falcon research and the Oak Openings Raptor Project were featured. The binocular/digital camera tent hosted a variety of cameras, spotting scopes and binoculars for demonstrations and sales. Jerry Wykes had many activities for the kids from the wall climb to hawk puzzles and crafts scheduled thru out the day.
A kettle of hawk
Jerry said the birds have usually passed thru before Hawkfest but this year is different with only a few thousand birds recorded as of yet the main bulk of over 500,000 is staging close by and will be coming thru with the next north or northeast wind. It looks like this Saturday will be prime time for viewing. So if you remember the next time it blows from the north look up to find a kettle of hawk. This usually looks like a number of small circles of birds floating together on thermals pushed by the north wind.
Don't forget Luke the eagle. He lives in this large enclosure behind the nature center but the proud eagle heeds fresh fish to eat. If you launch at the park to fish you can drop off a meal for Luke but Jerry would rather have it cleaned and frozen. Don't forget Luke.
Get Outdoors Downriver.
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