DRHW Releases Summary of 2024 Hawk Watch
Detroit River Hawk Watch has released its summary of the 2024 observations. The 2024 count was the 42nd consecutive season of monitoring diurnal raptor migration at the mouth of the Detroit River and the 27th year of consistent coverage at Lake Erie Metropark. There were 602.7 hours of data collection with counts conducted over 90 days between September 1 and November 30, 2024. This season, 79,317 total raptors of 16 species were counted. The 2024 count is 35% less than the Ten-Year Average and 38% less than the Long-Term Average.Read more here!
Read about the Detroit River Hawk Watch 2023 CountDetroit River Hawk Watch has released its summary of the 2023 observations. The 2023 count was the 41st consecutive season of monitoring diurnal raptor and Turkey Vulture migration at the mouth of the Detroit River, and the 26th year of consistent coverage at Lake Erie Metropark. There were 570.5 hours of data collection with counts conducted on 87 days between 01 September and 30 November. This season, 215,444 total raptors and vultures of 16 species were counted. This total was 68% above the LTA (128,524) and 57% above the 10-year average between 2014-2023 (136,935).
Read the Annual Report from Detroit River Hawk Watch here.
Read about the Detroit River Hawk Watch 2022 CountBald Eagle. © Mark Hainen
The 2022 count was the 40th consecutive season of monitoring diurnal raptor and turkey vulture migration at the mouth of the Detroit River, and the 25th year of consistent coverage at Lake Erie Metropark. There were 573 hours of data collection with counts conducted on 87 days between 01 September and 30 November. This season, 145,577 total turkey vultures and raptors of 15 species were counted. This total was 16% above the LTA (125,048) and 13% above the 10-year average between 2013 - 2022 (128,265).
Read the Annual Report from Detroit River Hawk Watch here.
DRIWR & the Downriver area featured in "Under the Radar Michigan"
Detroit Public TV's popular series Under the Radar Michigan" recently debuted an episode featuring the Downriver area, including the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge.
Host Tom Daldin explored the area, including joining the Inland Seas Education Association and DRIWR on an excursion aboard the schooner Inland Seas. There's also a kayak adventure on the River Rouge and visits with restaurants run by local entrepreneurs.
Host Tom Daldin explored the area, including joining the Inland Seas Education Association and DRIWR on an excursion aboard the schooner Inland Seas. There's also a kayak adventure on the River Rouge and visits with restaurants run by local entrepreneurs.Watch the episode by clicking the video above, or view the 30-minute episode on YouTube here.
Come volunteer at the Refuge!
The Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge represents a new model for conservation by restoring vital habitats in an urban area through innovative public-private partnerships. If this sounds like a fun and challenging opportunity, then consider becoming a volunteer at the Refuge. Click here to learn more.
Bringing Outdoor Recreation to Community Youth Near You!
Many people are spending less time in nature with the increasing use of computers, smart phones, television and other technology. It has become increasingly normal to spend less time outdoors. There is concern the younger generations are becoming overly reliant on electronic media and are missing out on the simple enjoyment of being in nature.
The Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge (DRIWR) is one of a few urban refuges in the National Wildlife Refuge System with nearly seven million people living within a 45-minute drive. It stretches from southwest Detroit to the Ohio border. The Refuge has the unique dual mission of conserving fish and wildlife populations, their habitats, and of helping to bring conservation to cities in an effort to help develop the next generation of conservation stewards.
With the help of partners, we are now able to offer bringing outdoor recreational opportunities into local communities via an eye-catching trailer with engaging photos of local wildlife and youth experiencing outdoor recreational adventures, particularly fishing and archery. See more photos of the trailer on this Gallery page. It is with the support of the DTE Energy Foundation, the Community Foundation of Monroe County, the Colina Family Foundation, Monroe County Community College and IWRA, the Refuge will be bringing outdoor recreation to you! A 6’ x 12’ aluminum cargo trailer filled with equipment will allow families an experience of what may be their first adventure with fishing and archery.
Programming is now being discussed with the River Raisin National Battlefield Park and with local communities where the trailer could be brought. The impact of seeing the trailer arrive with its vivid graphic element is sure to intrigue folks of all ages to step forward and give it a try!
We hope to pique your interest and encourage you to experience outdoor recreation in your own backyard with a shared mission to sustain wildlife and fisheries conservation into the future.
Project funding provided by: The Community Foundation of Monroe County | DTE Energy Foundation | IWRA
Graphic wrap photos provided by volunteers: Thomas Kachelmeyer, Mark Messer, Jake Bonello, Tandem/USFWS
Upcoming Events
Upcoming Programs and Events at the Refuge
Fisheries Lecture Series - Wednesday, February 11: 5:30 pm-7 pm
Lake Sturgeon Gamete Collection with Michala Burke
Join Fisheries Biologists to learn how they conduct their exciting research and field work. Each week, we’ll dive into a different topic and learn about a specific project. Program is free and open to the public.
Come and explore the 2 mile Green Trail on a guided hike. Please dress for the weather.
Meet at the Visitor Center; we will head out onto the 2 mile Green Trail and see what birds we can find.
B.A.R.K Ranger - Saturday, February 28: 10:30 am & 1 pm SOLD OUT!
Join us to learn proper "petiquette" on public lands. Bring your dog to hike with a group and a park ranger! Registration required. Space is limited.
Fisheries Lecture Series - Wednesday, March 4: 5:30 pm-7 pm
Detroit River Fish Identification with Janine Lajavic
Join Fisheries Biologists to learn how they conduct their exciting research and field work. Each week, we’ll dive into a different topic and learn about a specific project. Program is free and open to the public.
Join us to learn proper "petiquette" on public lands. Bring your dog to hike with a group and a park ranger! Registration required at shorturl.at/69hc2. Space is limited!
Off-site Partner Events
Birding Expo - Sunday, February 15: 12 pm-3:30 pm
Join partners at the Outdoor Adventure Center in Detroit and learn about birds! Great for the whole family!
Join partner agencies at the Outdoor Adventure Center in Detroit to learn about invasive species!
Grass Carp Lecture - Tuesday, March 24: 6 pm-7 pm
Join a Fish Biologist at the Trenton Veteran's Memorial Library for a lecture about invasive grass carp and the work happening to prevent them. Register by calling 734 676-9777 or visit www.trenton.lib.mi.us
Want more? Check out the Archived News page.
The 2026 Calendar of Events for the International Wildlife Refuge is now online. Check the dates for an event.