tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59220141179581725342024-03-13T11:44:31.369-05:00Hawk Ridge BlogThe official blog of Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory, Duluth, Minnesota.Hawk Ridge Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03346381697590328711noreply@blogger.comBlogger187125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5922014117958172534.post-54338037032397302202024-01-08T11:18:00.002-06:002024-01-08T11:18:46.851-06:00Hawk Ridge News - 2023 Highlights & Thank YOU for Your Support!<p> <strong style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Dear Friends of Hawk Ridge,</span></strong></p><div style="border-color: black; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; clear: both; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; width: 560px;"><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="Rough-legged Hawk Soaring over Hawk Ridge 2" border="0" height="185" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/db8fb5a7f0/Rough-legged%20Hawk%20Soaring%20over%20Hawk%20Ridge%202.jpg" style="height: 185px; width: 278px;" title="Rough-legged Hawk Soaring over Hawk Ridge 2" vspace="0" width="278" /><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;">From all of us at Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory, we send our warmest wishes and sincere gratitude for you this Holiday Season. Thanks for helping us continue to soar, like the beautiful birds we see at Hawk Ridge! Your investment in our mission helps us continue our long-term monitoring of birds through our count and banding research, study and teach about birds, and foster those special connections built between the birds, the people, and the place at Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve. We invite you to read some of our 2023 highlights below and hope to see you in 2024! You can also read our past e-news <a href="https://hawkridgeblog.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">HERE</a> or visit hawkridge.org. </span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u><b>2023- HAWK RIDGE HIGHLIGHTS</b> </u></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></b></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><b><i>RESEARCH AND PROGRAMS</i></b></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">BIRD MIGRATION COUNT RESEARCH</b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span></p><img align="right" alt="Golden Eagle – new fall season record high total at Hawk Ridge in 2023! Photo by J Cosentino" border="0" height="177" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/db8fb5a7f0/HRBO_27OCT2023%20Golden%20Eagle%20by%20J%20Cosentino.JPG" style="height: 177px; width: 250px;" title="Golden Eagle – new fall season record high total at Hawk Ridge in 2023! Photo by J Cosentino" vspace="0" width="250" /><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;">We continue to invest in long-term monitoring and study of the astounding bird migration each fall and spring. Both our fall count and banding research has been in operation for over 50 years! The passionate and dedicated count staff tallied over 63,700 raptors (hawks, falcons, eagles) of 18 different species, as well as 255,000+ other migrating birds of 175+ species collectively during our spring and fall migration. Highlights included Red-shouldered Hawk, Swainson’s Hawk, Mississippi Kite (fall) Short-eared Owls (fall), and new record season counts for Peregrine Falcons (spring), Golden Eagles (fall) & Blue Jays (fall)! Above 10-yr average numbers were counted both this spring and fall for Turkey Vulture, Northern Harrier, Osprey, American Kestrel, Merlin, & Peregrine Falcon. Thank you to our amazing counters! </span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>BIRD BANDING RESEARCH</b> </span></p><img align="right" alt="121 Long-eared Owls banded in 2023! Photo by P Mundale" border="0" height="234" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/db8fb5a7f0/Long-eared%20Owl%20by%20P%20Mundale%20Oct%2022.JPG" style="height: 234px; width: 175px;" title="121 Long-eared Owls banded in 2023! Photo by P Mundale" vspace="0" width="175" /><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;">We continue to invest in bird banding research to further bird conservation efforts. Over 2700 raptors (including 1169 owls) were banded by the excellent fall raptor banding crew in fall 2023! A few highlights included banding a Swainson’s Hawk & Bald Eagle! Good numbers of falcons (American Kestrel, Merlin, and Peregrine) and Long-eared Owls (121!) were banded this fall. Hawk Ridge continues to run the largest raptor banding station in the country. Dedicated volunteers continued passerine banding at Hawk Ridge with the summer MAPS research project and fall banding. Over 2200 passerines were banded this fall! Highlights included Connecticut Warbler, Black-throated Blue Warbler and record numbers of Gray Catbirds, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, & Swainson’s Thrushes. Thank you to our fantastic banding crew!</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></b></p><img align="right" alt="Banding Apprentices, Liv & Doris with banded Northern Harriers" border="0" height="177" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/db8fb5a7f0/IMG_1478.jpg" style="height: 177px; width: 250px;" title="Banding Apprentices, Liv & Doris with banded Northern Harriers" vspace="0" width="250" /><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">TRAINING & GRADUATE RESEARCH</b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;">We continue to invest in training and research opportunities for the future of bird conservation. Three trainees, two bird banding apprentices, and one intern received exceptional professional field experience within our count, banding, and education programs. We collaborated with college students on graduate research projects and other outdoor education classes from University of MN Duluth, College of St. Scholastica, etc. Thank you to all the trainees, apprentices, and students!</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><i><b>EDUCATION & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT</b></i></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION & OUTREACH</b></span></p><img align="right" alt="Naturalist, Sarah, releasing dark morph Red-tailed Hawk" border="0" height="166" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/db8fb5a7f0/2023_10_15_IMG_0639.jpg" style="height: 166px; width: 250px;" title="Naturalist, Sarah, releasing dark morph Red-tailed Hawk" vspace="0" width="250" /><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;">We continue to invest in providing education opportunities for all ages and abilities. The Hawk Ridge Education team taught over 290 programs in 2023, reaching nearly 5700 participants of all ages! This includes school/private groups, public programs, virtual programs, and outreach events. Additionally, thousands of visitors at Hawk Ridge shared in the magic of migration with us and learned through our live bird education demos (150+ reaching 4400 people), migration interpretation, and kid’s cart activities. I</span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">nternational birding trips continued with two to Costa Rica led by Margie Menzies and stay tuned for 2024 trips!</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Thank you to our superstar education team! </span></p><div><br /></div><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>VOLUNTEER PROGRAM</b></span></p><div><img align="right" alt="Hawk Ridge volunteers teaching about bird migration count" border="0" height="188" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/db8fb5a7f0/5FDCBB50-A54F-4566-B730-BF0598F3DEFD%202.jpg" style="height: 188px; width: 250px;" title="Hawk Ridge volunteers teaching about bird migration count" vspace="0" width="250" /><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">We continue to engage people in our community with much appreciated time and talent – over 1200 hours were recorded in fall 2</span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">023 at Hawk Ridge. Volunteers help in many ways from invasive species contro</span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">l, site maintenance, office duties, board members, committee members, assisting staff at Hawk Ridge with fall research </span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"> and education, and more! Thank you to all the wonderful volunteers!</span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">HAWK WEEKEND FESTIVAL</b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><img align="right" alt="Dr. Goodrich Hawkwatching Hawk Ridge Hawk Weekend Festival " border="0" height="266" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/db8fb5a7f0/Laurie%20Goodrich%20Hawkwatching%20Hawk%20Ridge%20Hawk%20Weekend.jpg" style="height: 266px; width: 200px;" title="Dr. Goodrich Hawkwatching Hawk Ridge Hawk Weekend Festival " vspace="0" width="200" /><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;">We continue to invest in connecting visitors to the amazing migration! Visitors and supporters enjoyed our annual Hawk Weekend festival in September. Over 125 attendees attended our kick-off & member appreciation celebration at the Great Lakes Aquarium, enjoyed field trips/workshops, and the fantastic fall bird migration at Hawk Ridge. Dr. Laurie Goodrich gave a wonderful presentation on Broad-winged Hawk research and was presented with the Hawk Ridge Lifetime Achievement award for her accomplishments in raptor conservation and research. Dr. Ken Gilbertson was presented with a 10-year Board of Directors service appreciation award. It was a wonderful weekend and we hope you can join us Sept. 20-22, 2024! Thank you to all our visitors, festival participants, speakers, field trip leaders, and those that helped! </span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">STEWARDSHIP OF HAWK RIDGE NATURE RESERVE</b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><img align="right" alt="Counter, Sean, at Hawk Ridge sunrise morning flight. Photo by S DePew" border="0" height="187" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/db8fb5a7f0/AEF775CE-5176-48A8-AD89-759EE5AC7362.jpg" style="height: 187px; width: 250px;" title="Counter, Sean, at Hawk Ridge sunrise morning flight. Photo by S DePew" vspace="0" width="250" /><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;">We continue to invest in our beautiful site - Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve. Volunteers helped lead important site stewardship management projects at Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve, including site/trail maintenance and invasive species control. We are working with the City of Duluth on funding for The Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve Facilities Plan. This project includes educational and safety improvements, such as a new accessible trail, permanent restroom, additional education program spaces, observation deck, and more! Thank you to all that help take care of Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve!</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><img align="right" alt="Blue Jay Sept 23 by J Cosentino" border="0" height="185" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/db8fb5a7f0/Blue%20Jay%20Sept%2023%20by%20J%20Cosentino.jpg" style="height: 185px; width: 250px;" title="Blue Jay Sept 23 by J Cosentino" vspace="0" width="250" /></span></u></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b style="text-decoration-line: underline;">Thank you for sharing in our 2023 highlights and most importantly for your support! </b><i><b>If you'd like to consider a year-end, tax-deductible gift today, we'd greatly appreciate it!</b> </i>It truly makes an impact to not only ensure we can continue our fall migration count, bird banding, and environmental education programs, but also help Hawk Ridge reach it's full potential. <a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/support/donate/" target="_blank"><b>You can donate online by clicking HERE</b></a> or by mailing to Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory, P.O. Box 3006, Duluth, MN 55803.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt;"></span></b></span><a href="http://www.hawkridge.org/support/donate/" target="_blank"><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"></span></span></span></b></a></div></div></div><div style="border-color: black; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; clear: both; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; width: 560px;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Happy Holidays and wishing you all the best in 2024! THANK YOU!</b><br /><br /></span><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Sincerely,</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Janelle Long</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Executive Director</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory</span></p></div>Hawk Ridge Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03346381697590328711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5922014117958172534.post-40334103436526581732023-12-22T08:12:00.003-06:002023-12-22T08:12:40.356-06:00Hawk Ridge News - December 2023<p> <strong style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Dear Friends of Hawk Ridge,</span></strong></p><div style="border-color: black; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; clear: both; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; width: 560px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><img align="right" alt="Hawk Ridge Team 2023" border="0" height="165" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/8925bd75f6/Staff%20Photo%202023.JPG" style="height: 165px; width: 278px;" title="Hawk Ridge Team 2023" vspace="0" width="278" /></span><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span>Thank you so much for your support in 2023! We are grateful for the opportunity to continue building connections between people and birds with new and return visitors, bird conservation efforts with our spring/fall bird migration counts & bird banding research, and sharing our knowledge and enthusiasm for birds through our education programs. We appreciate our amazing staff, volunteers, beautiful birds, and YOU for helping make this all possible! </span><span>We invite you to read the latest e-news below, which includes summaries from our fall season and other highlights (note: past e-news can be found <a href="https://hawkridgeblog.blogspot.com/2023/12/" target="_blank">HERE</a>). We wish you a wonderful holiday season and hope to connect with you in 2024! </span> </span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><u><b>Research & Education Summaries</b></u></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><u><b><br /></b></u></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><u><span style="font-family: verdana;">November 2023 Bird Migration Count Report</span></u></b></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span></p><img align="right" alt="HRBO_13NOV2023_Rough-legged Hawk dark morph by J Cosentino" border="0" height="201" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/8925bd75f6/HRBO_13NOV2023_Rough-legged%20Hawk%20dark%20morph%20by%20J%20Cosentino.JPG" style="height: 201px; width: 300px;" title="HRBO_13NOV2023_Rough-legged Hawk dark morph by J Cosentino" vspace="0" width="300" /><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Fall 2023 migration count at Hawk Ridge continued through November with a total of 176.5 count hours over 30 consecutive days by the end of the month. A total of 2,410 raptors across 12 different species were documented from the platform during the month. The most abundant raptor species counted were: BALD EAGLE (1341), RED-TAILED HAWK (725), GOLDEN EAGLE (178), ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK (176), and SHARP-SHINNED HAWK (28). </span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="HRBO_2NOV2023_Golden Eagle by J Cosentino" border="0" height="191" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/8925bd75f6/HRBO_2NOV2023_Golden%20Eagle%20by%20J%20Cosentino.JPG" style="height: 191px; width: 300px;" title="HRBO_2NOV2023_Golden Eagle by J Cosentino" vspace="0" width="300" /><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Of these top five November species, the following had above-average November count totals: BALD EAGLE, GOLDEN EAGLE, SHARP-SHINNED HAWK. The following species had below-average November count totals: RED-TAILED HAWK, ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK. This month recorded a new HRBO November high count for GOLDEN EAGLE (Previous November high count: November 2012 with 150). The month of November also documented the latest HRBO fall count records for the following species: BROAD-WINGED HAWK (11/18), RED-SHOULDERED HAWK (11/23), and TURKEY VULTURE (11/30). </span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="Migrating Pine Siskins by K Bardon" border="0" height="185" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/8925bd75f6/Migrating%20Pine%20Siskins%20(photo%20by%20Karl%20Bardon).jpg" style="height: 185px; width: 278px;" title="Migrating Pine Siskins by K Bardon" vspace="0" width="278" /><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The non-raptor flight along the Ridge continued through November, with 32 non-raptor migrant bird species documented. The most abundant non-raptor species documented throughout the month were: PINE SISKIN (2832), COMMON REDPOLL (2467), AMERICAN GOLDFINCH (1337), RED CROSSBILL (667), CANADA GOOSE (480), BOHEMIAN WAXWING (434), UNIDENTIFIED FINCH SPECIES (305), AMERICAN ROBIN (303), SNOW BUNTING (122), and WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL (118). Non-raptor highlights included a late migrant ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER on 11/1, late group of AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS (16) moving down the shore on 11/9, single late AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN the following day (11/10), and a large push of BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS (241) on 11/20. The 2023 HRBO fall migration count concluded on 11/30. </span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="Peregrine Falcon by F Nicoletti" border="0" height="246" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/8925bd75f6/Peregrine%20Falcon%2022%20by%20F%20Nicoletti.jpg" style="height: 246px; width: 278px;" title="Peregrine Falcon by F Nicoletti" vspace="0" width="278" /><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">This fall count logged 963 count hours, which represents the highest number of hours ever logged (Previous high being 2011 with 961). Some notable count highlights from this fall include: - New season high record for GOLDEN EAGLE (265) - New season high record for BLUE JAYS (78,631) - New day count high record for RED-HEADED WOODPECKER (10 on September 2) - New day count high record for SANDHILL CRANE (1,132 on October 7) - New HRBO October month high total for BROAD-WINGED HAWK (3,505) - New October month high total for TURKEY VULTURE (1,710) - Tying the second highest day count high record for PEREGRINE FALCON (25 on October 3) - Highest AMERICAN KESTREL season total (1,811) since 2005 - Latest fall record of BROAD-WINGED HAWK (November 18) - Latest fall record of TURKEY VULTURE (November 30)</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="Nov 27 2023 Snow Squall Hawk Ridge by J Cosentino" border="0" height="224" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/8925bd75f6/Nov%2027%202023%20Snow%20Squall%20Hawk%20Ridge%20by%20J%20Cosentino.jpeg" style="height: 224px; width: 300px;" title="Nov 27 2023 Snow Squall Hawk Ridge by J Cosentino" vspace="0" width="300" /><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The HRBO count staff would like to extend a genuine thank you to everyone who came to visit the Ridge to visit, volunteer, or simply enjoy the spectacle of bird migration from the main overlook over the past fall season. The 2024 fall migration count will begin on 8/15/24. In the meantime, the HRBO spring migration count begins on March 1, 2024 from the West Skyline Parkway in Duluth: <a href="https://hawkcount.org/siteinfo.php?rsite=543" target="_blank">https://hawkcount.org/siteinfo.php?rsite=543</a>. Be sure to come visit and enjoy the return of all the southbound migrant raptors that we counted this past fall as they return north! </span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">To view all species (raptor and non-raptor) totals for the Fall 2023 migration count at Hawk Ridge, visit: <a href="https://www.trektellen.org/site/totals/3670/2023" target="_blank">https://www.trektellen.org/site/totals/3670/2023</a> </span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Jess Cosentino, Lead Counter</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><u>Fall 2023 Owl Banding Summary</u></b></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span></p><img align="right" alt="Northern Saw-whet Owl by D Rodriguez" border="0" height="266" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/8925bd75f6/Northern%20Saw-whet%20Owl.%20Photo%20by%20Doris%20Rodriguez..jpg" style="height: 266px; width: 200px;" title="Northern Saw-whet Owl by D Rodriguez" vspace="0" width="200" /><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The previous two owl banding updates from Oct/Nov highlighted some of the best moments of season, but there were other great moments that made this season special. We’ll highlight some of those in this final update. We were able to band 1169 owls during the season. We banded 1,044 Saw-whet Owls, 121 Long-eared Owls, 3 Barred Owls and 1 Great Horned Owl. We were also able to process a total of 35 Saw-whet Owls that were already banded. One of these recaptured Saw-whet’s stole the show since it had a transmitter that was attached in our station back in 2020. The individual was a Hatch Year bird when it was originally banded so the bird is three years old. The transmitter was removed from the bird and Hawk Ridge researchers will use the data to analyze the movement of this individual. This is just an example of the great research opportunities that Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory conducts. </span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="Great Horned Owl 10-29-23 by D Rodriguez." border="0" height="266" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/8925bd75f6/Great%20Horned%20Owl%20caught%20on%20October%2029th.%20Photo%20by%20Doris%20Rodriguez..jpg" style="height: 266px; width: 200px;" title="Great Horned Owl 10-29-23 by D Rodriguez." vspace="0" width="200" /><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">In spite of the high numbers, banding Saw-whet Owls never gets old. They’re an incredible species to study because of their incredible molt patterns, variation in facial appearance and their overall “adorable” looks. However, we also get to band other species as well. One of the biggest highlights of the season occurred on October 29. Our amazing lead raptor bander banded the biggest North American owl (by mass)—a Great Horned Owl. The owl weighted 1602 grams (56 ounces/ 3 pounds). For comparison, our heaviest Saw-whet Owl of the season weighted 115 grams (4 ounces/ 0.25 pounds). Big difference. Banding such big owl species makes any owl banding night very eventful—just ask any owl bander out there. </span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="Second Year molt of Northern Saw-whet Owl by K Garcia Lopez" border="0" height="188" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/8925bd75f6/Second%20Year%20molt%20of%20Northern%20Saw-whet%20Owl%20by%20K%20Garcia%20Lopez.jpg" style="height: 188px; width: 250px;" title="Second Year molt of Northern Saw-whet Owl by K Garcia Lopez" vspace="0" width="250" /><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">This night was even more special since Hawk Ridge hosted a group of owl researchers that had just presented their work at the World Owl Conference that took place in Wisconsin earlier that week. This group consisted of two graduate students from Brazil and a PhD student from Turkey—all three are currently working on owl research. In spite of their respective owl expertise they were all amazed by the Great Horned Owl. This goes to show how remarkable and unique it is to see a Great Horned Owl being processed. The group was also able to see a couple of Saw-whet Owls as well and this experience brought the house down. They loved the smaller owl just as much as the Great Horned Owl. The researchers shared information about their current owl research with our owl team and our team provided insight about our work at Hawk Ridge. I’d like to take this time to thank them for spending a few hours with our team on a freezing night. We were all inspired by their work. </span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="Owl Bander Kevin with female Long-eared Owl by L Fortuna" border="0" height="231" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/8925bd75f6/Owl%20Bander%20Kevin%20with%20female%20Long-eared%20Owl%20by%20L%20Fortuna.jpg" style="height: 231px; width: 200px;" title="Owl Bander Kevin with female Long-eared Owl by L Fortuna" vspace="0" width="200" /><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The passion for owls is an international occurrence and it makes me very happy to know people are contributing to owl research and conservation globally. Now I’d like to switch gears and provide a few closing words about my experience as the lead owl bander at Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory during this Fall season. Migration is incredible. I grew up reading and watching documentaries about the great migration in Africa. Then I learned about annual migration of marine mammals during my previous job with Elephant Seals in California. After spending my fall in Duluth this season I can say that bird migration in Duluth is on par with everything I listed. I feel very fortunate that I was able to have a connection with owl migration in Duluth—my season was very special. Working with owls sounds amazing on paper. It truly is an amazing experience but it is also incredibly tough. Working from sunset to sunrise adds several challenges—odd sleeping schedules and freezing temperatures come to mind. </span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="Banding Apprentice Doris aging Long-eared Owl by K Garcia Lopez" border="0" height="209" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/8925bd75f6/Banding%20Apprentice%20Doris%20aging%20Long-eared%20Owl%20by%20K%20Garcia%20Lopez.jpg" style="height: 209px; width: 278px;" title="Banding Apprentice Doris aging Long-eared Owl by K Garcia Lopez" vspace="0" width="278" /><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">So why owls? I am asked this at least twice a week. I work with owls because I always dreamed of contributing to their conservation, protection and research. This experience was a dream come true not only because I got to work with beautiful owls. But also because it provided me with an opportunity to teach our apprentices, trainees, and volunteers the fundamental of owl banding. It is truly an honor to help the next generation of biologists advance their career. </span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="Fall 2023 raptor banders visit Sax-Zim Bog for end of season celebration" border="0" height="209" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/8925bd75f6/Fall%202023%20raptor%20banders%20visit%20Sax-Zim%20Bog%20for%20end%20of%20season%20celebration.JPG" style="height: 209px; width: 278px;" title="Fall 2023 raptor banders visit Sax-Zim Bog for end of season celebration" vspace="0" width="278" /><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I would like to thank Abbie for helping me join the Hawk Ridge community. Your constant support, knowledge and work ethic are a huge inspiration to me. Thank you to my supervisor Frank Nicoletti for your support and trust with the owl banding project. Thank you to Margie Menzies and David Alexander for sharing all your bird banding knowledge and for your support all season. Special thank you our banding apprentices Doris and Olivia for being incredibly patient with me as your owl banding supervisor. Your work ethic, willingness to learn, passion for the owls and support were among the big reasons why we had a successful season. I am proud of your accomplishments. </span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="Female Long-eared Owl by Kevin Garcia Lopez" border="0" height="209" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/8925bd75f6/Female%20Long-eared%20Owl.%20Photo%20by%20Kevin%20Garcia%20Lopez..JPG" style="height: 209px; width: 278px;" title="Female Long-eared Owl by Kevin Garcia Lopez" vspace="0" width="278" /><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Thank you to our trainees Marie, Megan and Sarah. All three of you learned the fundamentals of owl banding very quick and I am very proud of your progress during the season. Thank you to all the amazing volunteers (Kara, Grace, Halle, Peter, Anna, Gracie and Dana) who helped our team throughout the season. Thank you to the naturalist staff Sara, Sarah, Jamie, Jake and Chris for providing excellent owl programs to the public. Big thank you to Janelle for your support and for making me feel at home. Thank you to all the owls we banded and processed—all of hard work is dedicated to contribute to their conservation efforts. </span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Kevin García López, Lead Owl Bander</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><u><span style="font-family: verdana;">Fall 2023 Passerine Banding Summary</span></u></b></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><u><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></u></b></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">It was a busy fall passerine banding season with 50 banding days at the main station stretching from August 9 through October 22. During the season we banded 2,236 new birds, recaptured 166 birds, and caught a total of 64 different species of birds through the season. We have about three species that typically slug it out for the number one bird banded each year- this year the Swainson’s Thrushes occupy that spot at 351 individual birds beating out the usual fierce competitor, the American Redstarts at number two this year at 347. </span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="American Redstart by K Bardon" border="0" height="166" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/8925bd75f6/American%20Redstart%20(K%20Bardon).jpg" style="height: 166px; width: 250px;" title="American Redstart by K Bardon" vspace="0" width="250" /><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The overall top ten list for the season was: 1- Swainson’s Thrushes*- 351; 2- American Redstarts*- 347; 3-Nashville Warblers- 198; 4-Magnolia Warblers*- 133; 5-White-throated Sparrows- 128; 6- Tennessee Warblers- 125; 7- Ruby-crowned Kinglets*- 121; 8-Ovenbirds*-75; 9- Veerys-54; and 10- Red-eyed Vireos- 50. (Asterisked species name indicate season high banding records for 2023 for these species). It was an exceptional year on many counts. 50 banding sessions was above our 12 year average of about 43 banding days per season, and we were far above our average season total passerines banded of 1,427, by more than 800 birds! Diversity of species was good this year with 64 different species banded. </span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="Black-throated Blue Warbler Sept 23 by A Valine" border="0" height="187" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/8925bd75f6/Black-throated%20Blue%20Warbler%20Sept%2023%20by%20A%20Valine.jpg" style="height: 187px; width: 250px;" title="Black-throated Blue Warbler Sept 23 by A Valine" vspace="0" width="250" /><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The fall warbler migration extended longer than normal at least for the early migrators- we banded a Connecticut Warbler* on Sept. 21 with a high season total of 4, and an adult male Black-throated Blue Warbler* on Sept. 29, which also hit a season high of 3 banded. It was an exceptional year for Rose- breasted Grosbeaks* with 35 captured far above the highest total of 21 captured in each of 2022, and 2019. Gray Catbirds* too were far above previous high totals with 38 banded in 2023, compared to the previous high of 19 in 2012. </span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="Golden-winged Warbler Fall 2023" border="0" height="266" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/8925bd75f6/IMG_6582.jpg" style="height: 266px; width: 200px;" title="Golden-winged Warbler Fall 2023" vspace="0" width="200" /><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Other season record totals happened with Blue-headed Vireos* with 17 caught, 22 Gray-cheeked Thrushes*, 10 Golden-winged Warblers*, 10 Northern Parulas*, 14 Blackpoll Warblers*, and 41 Wilson’s Warblers*. So a nice long highly successful fall migration season for the passerines this year, especially the warblers with 9 species hitting season high records this year! Thanks so much for all of the hours put in by volunteers at the passerine banding station, and also staff volunteer hours as well- we couldn’t do it without you!!</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">David Alexander & Margie Menzies</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Lead Passerine Banders</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><u><span style="font-family: verdana;">Fall 2023 Raptor Banding Summary</span></u></b></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span></p><img align="right" alt="Banded Merlin Fall 2023" border="0" height="210" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/8925bd75f6/IMG_4986.jpg" style="height: 210px; width: 250px;" title="Banded Merlin Fall 2023" vspace="0" width="250" /><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The fall 2023 season marks the 51st year (52nd fall season since 1972) of the raptor banding and count at Hawk Ridge. Hawk Ridge is one of the longest running banding operations in the world, and its continuing efforts to collect data is of utmost importance, especially with the changing climate and shifting of species and weather patterns. We along with other professional organizations and individuals continue to work toward understanding the migration and summer and wintering range of birds across North and Central America. </span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="Fall 2023 banding team and trainees" border="0" height="209" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/8925bd75f6/IMG_0670.JPG" style="height: 209px; width: 278px;" title="Fall 2023 banding team and trainees" vspace="0" width="278" /><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">This season we had both Hawk Ridge and Moose Valley running full time, while Paine Farm ran when we had extra volunteers. Hawk Ridge was operated by primarily by Abbie Valine, while Moose Valley was operated by Kara Beer. A big thanks goes out to David Alexander who was there whenever needed. This season we had two banding apprentices, Liv Fortuna and Doris Rodriguez. We also had trainees rotating through each department which included: Megan Hanson, Marie Chappell and Sarah Needles. Kevin Garcia Lopez was this season’s owl bander (fall owl banding report included in prior article). </span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="Peregrine Falcon Fall 2023" border="0" height="290" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/8925bd75f6/Resized_Resized_20231005_161759.jpg" style="height: 290px; width: 250px;" title="Peregrine Falcon Fall 2023" vspace="0" width="250" /><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">This season total of 2701 raptors captured is below our season’s average of 3620 since 2011. We banded 15 species of raptors, 11 hawks and 4 owls. This total includes 34 previously banded birds. Among the 2701 total raptors, there were 1482 diurnal (hawks) and 1219 nocturnal raptors (owls). The Hawk Ridge station for hawk banding was in operation daily from August 15 to November 30. Moose Valley ran from August 29 to November 2, while Paine Farm ran from September 6 to October 27. We logged a total of 173 days, which is well above our average of 201 station days since 2011. A total of 1482 hawks were banded during the fall, with monthly total as follows: 12 in August, 889 in September, 559 in October, 20 in November.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="Northern Saw-whet Owl Fall 2023" border="0" height="267" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/8925bd75f6/IMG_7969.jpg" style="height: 267px; width: 200px;" title="Northern Saw-whet Owl Fall 2023" vspace="0" width="200" /><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Some of the noteworthy Northern Saw-whet Owl foreign recoveries from previous years came from 6 Wisconsin banding sites which includes Linwood Station, Falls Creek, Steven’s Point, Amherst, Plover, Clam Lake and Babcock, 2 stations in southern half of Minnesota- Quarry Hill Nature Center and Marine on the St Croix. We also had other interesting recoveries which included 3 from Whitefish Point, Michigan, one from March 23, 2021 and two from their summer banding, 2020 and 2021. It’s always exciting when we get a nestling recovery. We captured an owl banded as a nestling from Stoney Mountain, Manitoba by Jim Duncan who a long time owl researcher. We also had some from North Shore banding sites; French River, Wolf Ridge, Tofte and Silver Islet, Thunder Bay Bird Observatory. Our resident Eastern Screech Owl for the past 5 year unfortunately did not make an appearance. We are still waiting on the remainder of the reports from the Bird Banding Lab. </span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="Frank Nicoletti (center) with Kim Eckert and friends at hawkwatch Fall 2023" border="0" height="209" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/8925bd75f6/IMG_8069.jpg" style="height: 209px; width: 278px;" title="Frank Nicoletti (center) with Kim Eckert and friends at hawkwatch Fall 2023" vspace="0" width="278" /><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I would also like to thank the numerous volunteers and HRBO staff who helped in many ways, including Jess Cosentino and Sean McLaughlin for alerting the station of approaching raptors. Others who helped in various ways were Grace Glick, Ralph Larsen, Margie Menzies, Sarah Wood, Sara Depew. Thanks to Janelle Long, our Executive Director, who helps with so many ways often not seen by many. Finally, I would especially like to thank my wife Kate for all she does and for her support.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Frank Nicoletti, Senior Researcher</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><u>2023 Education Summary</u></b></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><img align="right" alt="Visitors at Hawk Ridge Fall 2023" border="0" height="195" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com//8925bd75f6/Visitors%20at%20Hawk%20Ridge%20Fall%202023.jpg?0.32162574295814084" style="height: 195px; width: 250px;" title="Visitors at Hawk Ridge Fall 2023" vspace="0" width="250" /></p><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">As they say- “Fast away the old year passes!” Time to give you all a brief summary of all things education this past year. Hawk Ridge education programs were provided throughout the year and literally happened all over the world through the wonders of international bird travel and virtual programming via Zoom! </span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><img align="right" alt="Girl Scout Troop 4162 Bronze Star Service project at Hawk Ridge" border="0" height="188" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/e8fa4240b0/Girl%20Scout%20Troop%204162%20Bronze%20Star%20Service%20project%20at%20Hawk%20Ridge.jpg" style="height: 188px; width: 250px;" title="Girl Scout Troop 4162 Bronze Star Service project at Hawk Ridge" vspace="0" width="250" /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Starting with things a little closer to home, here's a review of our spring-fall programs. During the spring, we provided interpretation of the spring migration at our West Skyline Spring Count sites, as well as education programs for schools and other groups. During the summer, we partnered with other nature centers & summer camps and provided bird banding programs. We also worked with a number of groups at Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve on service projects, such as trail building and maintenance, and creating a new native garden to educate about native species for disturbed areas. </span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="Naturalis Sara DePew Live Bird Demo Red-tailed Hawk " border="0" height="208" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/8925bd75f6/120A9559.jpg" style="height: 208px; width: 250px;" title="Naturalis Sara DePew Live Bird Demo Red-tailed Hawk " vspace="0" width="250" /><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">During the fall, daily education and interpretation about the migration was delivered to the general public, as well as live bird education demos (approx. 150 demos of beautiful banded raptors!), kid's cart activities, and weekend public programs every Saturday and Sunday. We also offered the popular evening owl programs with 2 Saturday public programs and 10 small group owl programs. Outreach programs were provided both virtually and in person, such as our Pick a Bird Brain Series highlighting Hawk Ridge research, special events - such as the Everyone Can Bird accessible birding event series, and many interviews for the media - TV, news articles, & radio. Lots of magic to be discovered learning, watching and experiencing birds at Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve in 2023! </span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="Green Macaw courtesy M Menzies" border="0" height="267" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/8925bd75f6/Green%20Macaw%20courtesy%20M%20Menzies.jpg" style="height: 267px; width: 200px;" title="Green Macaw courtesy M Menzies" vspace="0" width="200" /><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Away from home, adventuresome bird travelers had the opportunity to visit Costa Rica with Hawk Ridge twice this year. The first was a Birder’s Paradise trip exploring a wide variety of habitats predominately on the Pacific side of the country with many highlight species including the critically endangered Great Green Macaw in good numbers, an eye-popping assortment of flashy hummingbird species, an amazing number of endemic species, and who could forget the Resplendent Quetzal in full breeding plumage! The second Costa Rica trip focused on migration in the fall largely along the Caribbean Coastline. We cheered the successful migrators including passerines like Bay-breasted and Golden-winged Warblers, Swainson’s Thrushes, Red-eyed Vireos, and many others. We traveled under the biggest raptor migration count ever seen in Costa Rica at Kekoldi count station, where they counted more than 1 million twenty-eight thousand raptors on Oct. 27th, 2023. Almost 20 times more Broad-winged Hawks in one day than we saw all season this year at Hawk Ridge (more than 196,000)! </span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="Hawk Ridge Staff Cam and Chris at Kids Cart" border="0" height="188" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/8925bd75f6/Hawk%20Ridge%20Staff%20Cam%20and%20Chris%20at%20Kids%20Cart.jpg" style="height: 188px; width: 250px;" title="Hawk Ridge Staff Cam and Chris at Kids Cart" vspace="0" width="250" /><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">In total between our formal and informal education programs, over 440 programs were delivered by the Hawk Ridge Education team reaching over 10,100 participants. This includes over 290 programs to nearly 5700 participants through school/private groups, public programs, virtual programs, and outreach events, as well as over 150 informal programs shared through our live bird education demos to nearly 4400 participants. We also connected with thousands of visitors through our migration interpretation, visitor services, and kid’s cart activities. </span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="Hawk Ridge fall team 2023" border="0" height="185" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/8925bd75f6/IMG_1563%202.jpg" style="height: 185px; width: 278px;" title="Hawk Ridge fall team 2023" vspace="0" width="278" /><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">A big thank you to all the amazing education staff in 2023 that helped make our programming possible and for sharing your passion, knowledge, and enthusiasm of birds with others. We had a rockstar team in 2023 with many return staff, as well as a a few new: Sara DePew (Lead Naturalist), Julia Luger, Sarah Wood, Jake Behrens, Jamie Tigges, Sophie Richardson, Chris Schnurbusch, Caroline Urban, Gracie Sangmeister, Peter Mundale, Erik Bruhnke, Cam Citrowske (Intern), and trainees - Megan Hanson, Marie Chappell, and Sarah Needles. We also couldn't have connected with all the visitors without the superstar help of our Visitor Services staff - Lisa Oakland and Tania Womack, as well as our wonderful volunteers! </span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="Naturalist Jake with bird release at Hawk Ridge" border="0" height="188" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/8925bd75f6/IMG_6895.jpg" style="height: 188px; width: 250px;" title="Naturalist Jake with bird release at Hawk Ridge" vspace="0" width="250" /><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">You can find future programs and events on our website at: <a target="">hawkridge.org</a>. We always appreciate you spreading the word about Hawk Ridge with friends, family, and neighbors and better yet - bring them to visit to share this amazing natural event happening every spring and fall here in Duluth! So much to see, so much to learn! Lots of amazing adventures await those who visit in 2024. </span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Margie Menzies, Education Director</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><u>Fall 2023 Volunteer Summary</u></b></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span></p><img align="right" alt="Banding Volunteer David Alexander" border="0" height="188" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/8925bd75f6/David%20Alexander%20Board%20and%20Volunteer%202014.jpg" style="height: 188px; width: 125px;" title="Banding Volunteer David Alexander" vspace="0" width="125" /><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Another season has come and gone too quickly. Every year I look forward to meeting our new volunteers and seeing our returning volunteers! We kick-off and end each fall season with a potluck dinner filled with great camaraderie and bird talk! Every year we have volunteers that go above and beyond and one of those is David Alexander who is helps with both passerine and raptor banding as well as maintaining the banding sites. Each year he consistently volunteers around 250 hours or more! </span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="Volunteer Marsha at Hawk Ridge " border="0" height="183" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/8925bd75f6/PXL_20230916_151726996%202.jpg" style="height: 183px; width: 125px;" title="Volunteer Marsha at Hawk Ridge " vspace="0" width="125" /><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">A few other volunteers that led the way this fall with much appreciated time given at the Hawk Ridge main overlook were Tania Womack, Gail Marsman, & Marsha Kurka. We have many that also go above and beyond with their time serving on committees, board, helping with special projects, site maintenance and more. Thank you to all of our volunteers in every way! </span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Valerie Slocum, Volunteer Coordinator</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><u><span style="font-family: verdana;">Thank you for Giving to the Max in November! </span></u></b></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><img align="right" alt="GTMD 2023_Square_full color" border="0" height="150" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/96a4024cd9/GTMD%202023_Square_full%20color.jpg" style="height: 150px; width: 150px;" title="GTMD 2023_Square_full color" vspace="0" width="150" /><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">We truly appreciate all those that gave during the special Minnesota <a href="https://www.givemn.org/organization/Hawkridge" target="_blank">Give to the Max event</a> November 1-16th. Over $12,000 was raised between online & mailed donations, which exceeded our fundraising goal! </span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><u>Fall Raffle at the Ridge </u></b></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><img align="right" alt="Northern Harrier Oct 22" border="0" height="184" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/d450ca8c6a/unnamed%20(18).jpg" style="height: 184px; width: 250px;" title="Northern Harrier Oct 22" vspace="0" width="250" /><span style="font-family: verdana;">We held our annual fall Raptors Raffle at Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve this October with drawing on October 31st. Thank you to all that purchased tickets in support of our bird research and education programs at Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory! Congratulations to the following raffle winners: </span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">1) Vortex Viper HD 8x42 Binoculars (winner: Ralph Larsen, Duluth, MN) </span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">2) Guided Winter Birding Daytrip for 2 with Frank Nicoletti (winner: Carissa Scanlan, St. Paul, MN) </span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">3) $100 Gift Certificate for Merchandise from the Hawk Ridge gift shop (winner: Jeanne Wright, Chippewa Falls, WI). </span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><u>International Birding Trip Update </u></b></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Ecuador - Birding the Choco-Andes Region </span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">February 25th - March 5th, 2024 (Trip is FULL - watch for our next trip in summer or fall 2024!) </span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Please contact Hawk Ridge Education Director, Margie Menzies, mmenzies@hawkridge.org with future birding trip ideas and to be first on the list to know! </span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><u>Hawk Migration Association of North America </u></b></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><u>50th Anniversary Conference in Duluth, MN </u></b></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><u>SAVE THE DATE! November 7-10, 2024 </u></b></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><img align="right" alt="HMANA 50th Logo FINAL " border="0" height="147" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/e98f93d167/HMANA%2050th%20Logo%20FINAL%20(white%20background).jpg" style="height: 147px; width: 250px;" title="HMANA 50th Logo FINAL " vspace="0" width="250" /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory is happy to announce that the Hawk Migration Association of North America (HMANA) is holding their 50th anniversary conference here in Duluth, MN next year in Nov. 2024! Hawk Ridge is helping host and will keep you posted on details. You can check out the conference link <a href="https://www.hmana.org/50thconference/" target="_blank">HERE</a>! </span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><u>Thank You for Your Support! </u></b></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><img align="right" alt="American Goshawk by K Bardon" border="0" height="133" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/fcfbada968/American%20Goshawk%20by%20Karl%20Bardon%202.jpg" style="height: 133px; width: 200px;" title="American Goshawk by K Bardon" vspace="0" width="200" /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory thanks all of our supporters. We appreciate you! As a nonprofit organization, we are primarily funded by individual gifts to put our bird migration research and education programs in action. Below are some of the ways you can help us keep sharing the magic of the bird migration! </span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><u>Support Hawk Ridge by Shopping! </u></b></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><img align="right" alt="Lisa and Tania at Hawk Ridge Merchandise Trailer" border="0" height="150" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/e8fa4240b0/Lisa%20and%20Tania%20at%20Hawk%20Ridge%20Merchandise%20Trailer.jpg" style="height: 150px; width: 200px;" title="Lisa and Tania at Hawk Ridge Merchandise Trailer" vspace="0" width="200" /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Thank you for the wonderful support by shopping at our fall season gift shop this Sept/Oct. If there was an item you were hoping for, please check out our online shopping options below with some of our merchandise or contact jlong@hawkridge.org. </span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://hawkridgeobservatory.itemorder.com/shop/sale/" target="_blank">Big Frog (direct ship or pick up at Duluth store) </a></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://www.bonfire.com/store/hawk-ridge-limited-edition-merchandise/" target="_blank">Bonfire (direct ship) </a></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://mugexp.com/collections/hawk-ridge" target="_blank">The Mug Experience (direct ship) </a></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><u><b>Become A Member Today!</b></u> </span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><img align="right" alt="Hawk Ridge bird release" border="0" height="150" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/fcfbada968/Hawk%20Ridge%20bird%20release.JPG" style="height: 150px; width: 200px;" title="Hawk Ridge bird release" vspace="0" width="200" /><span style="font-family: verdana;">If you're already a member of Hawk Ridge, we sincerely appreciate your support! THANK YOU! If you're not a member and have enjoyed your experience with Hawk Ridge, we invite you to renew or join as a Hawk Ridge member today! Our memberships and donations help drive our bird conservation research and education programs. You can check out our exciting membership benefits and <a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/support/membership/" target="_blank">join or renew online HERE! </a></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><u><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">Simply Donate </span></b></u></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><img align="right" alt="Rainbow at Hawk Ridge by K Bardon" border="0" height="167" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/fcfbada968/HR%20rainbow%20with%20Alex%20by%20Karl%20Bardon.jpg" style="height: 167px; width: 250px;" title="Rainbow at Hawk Ridge by K Bardon" vspace="0" width="250" /><span style="font-family: verdana;">You can always simply <a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/support/donate/" target="_blank">donate online by clicking HERE</a> or by mailing a check made out to Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory, P.O. Box 3006, Duluth, MN 55803. </span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Thank you again for your wonderful gift of support! </span></p><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b></b><a href="http://www.hawkridge.org/support/donate/" target="_blank"><b></b></a></span></div></div><div style="border-color: black; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; clear: both; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; width: 560px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Wishing you all the best this holiday season and into 2024! THANK YOU!</b><br /><br /></span><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Sincerely,</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Janelle Long</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Executive Director</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory</span></p></div>Hawk Ridge Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03346381697590328711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5922014117958172534.post-41853313332173432702023-12-13T20:46:00.002-06:002023-12-14T13:43:06.127-06:00Notes from the Ridge: Fall Migration Count 2023 (November 16 - November 30)<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The final chapters of fall migration on the Ridge began with south winds on <b>November 16</b> with strong south winds and minimal raptor migrants, aside from a few <b>BALD EAGLE (5)</b> and <b>RED-TAILED HAWK (7)</b>. The following day (<b>November 17</b>) brought a brief but strong morning pulse of <b>BALD EAGLES (34)</b> and a few <b>GOLDEN EAGLES (7)</b> mixing in; however, this momentum dramatically tapered off by noon. The day count total pushed the <i><b>November Golden Eagle monthly total</b></i> into the <i>2nd highest November total ever recorded at HRBO (and 3rd highest Golden Eagle season total ever!).</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i> </i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiweXp-drqxoamMMkwbKyJNCWz9RgWXbuA057Yy_VH8y9OB4PR8K-xcIs4XmJjsU-IjLcGwA6BIoOwf64_LzTOTIQJGm0ujmLas7sxz9eWCoXtlm0WnLbNB1HIR0lN4cpD82UnimYrnmgKThefbnNcbjpCOLbPo-O8QfLHoMZqCLu0iRwX2Lln7A_bmASqO/s1548/HRBO_15NOV2023_GOEA.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1008" data-original-width="1548" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiweXp-drqxoamMMkwbKyJNCWz9RgWXbuA057Yy_VH8y9OB4PR8K-xcIs4XmJjsU-IjLcGwA6BIoOwf64_LzTOTIQJGm0ujmLas7sxz9eWCoXtlm0WnLbNB1HIR0lN4cpD82UnimYrnmgKThefbnNcbjpCOLbPo-O8QfLHoMZqCLu0iRwX2Lln7A_bmASqO/w588-h382/HRBO_15NOV2023_GOEA.JPG" width="588" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">GOLDEN EAGLE passing along the Ridge on November 15 (Photo: Jess Cosentino)<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i> </i><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>November 18 </b>finally brought the deeply coveted late season northwest winds! <b>BALD EAGLES (166)</b> and <b>GOLDEN EAGLES (17)</b> were moving in the first hours following sunrise, as the count hit 100 Bald Eagles almost exactly at the noon hour! Large groups of eagles continued to pool up on the shore, with anywhere between 20-30 kettling in large groups. The large eagles took their time to slowly work down the shore. The large Golden Eagle flight pushed the November monthly total into a new November record (153 - Previous November Golden Eagle high count: 150). One of the highlights on the day included a very late migrant <b>BROAD-WINGED HAWK</b> slowly passing down the shore mixed in with other buteos, initially spotted by former long-time HRBO count interpreter Erik Bruhnke around 2:30 PM. This is the latest fall record of Broad-winged Hawk ever recorded at HRBO (<i>Previous late November BWHA record: November 17, 2020</i>)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>November 19</b> shifted to light south winds and a meager dribble of raptor migrants passed along the Ridge. A highlight on the included standing on the count platform with long-time HRBO volunteer and Duluth local, John Edwards, as an adult <b>AMERICAN GOSHAWK</b> slowly worked its way down the west side of the Ridge. The large accipiter briefly stalled out while going down the Ridge, spiraling in several circles for a few minutes, before continuing down the treeline - A fantastic look at a fantastic bird! Days like this on the Ridge can remind you that "good days" are not always about the numbers. Sometimes one great look at a single raptor coming down the Ridge is all it takes to make a day memorable.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>November 20</b> brought more light south winds with a slower flight. There was good <b>COMMON REDPOLL (230) </b>movement down the Ridge, as well as several groups of <b>BOHEMIAN WAXWING (241) </b>all heading southwest. <b>November 21</b> was a special day on the Ridge as blustery northwest winds churned down onto the lake: A new season total for <b>GOLDEN EAGLE </b>was set as five migrant Goldens passed by. Only eight fall counts have exceeded the 200-mark for Golden Eagle, so to set this new record this fall has been a special milestone to reach.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfxkymWnmOxpUMuX9LdnO1YkAk93cecmh8gPSERNp1AfPxml8W3sT8S3VKkWeDgtxY85UTiNPc3rLuWqQPXfggZ5tWQ7ILjNdTP4nDCKoJl4NOU26gKl1MsUt_FnDw-Sfc2lBaKlnTTD-XCvXh6ZWRPDOzbwWpQcoFPFNkYwwk4zGbZ0fSSzJnF4tZ8UVk/s1280/C7B4FE8E-D8ED-43FC-961E-5FFEC27C9385.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="958" data-original-width="1280" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfxkymWnmOxpUMuX9LdnO1YkAk93cecmh8gPSERNp1AfPxml8W3sT8S3VKkWeDgtxY85UTiNPc3rLuWqQPXfggZ5tWQ7ILjNdTP4nDCKoJl4NOU26gKl1MsUt_FnDw-Sfc2lBaKlnTTD-XCvXh6ZWRPDOzbwWpQcoFPFNkYwwk4zGbZ0fSSzJnF4tZ8UVk/w569-h427/C7B4FE8E-D8ED-43FC-961E-5FFEC27C9385.jpeg" width="569" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A classic late November day on the Ridge (November 21) as a new season record for GOLDEN EAGLES passed throughout the day (Photo: Jess Cosentino)<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>November 22</b> shifted back to moderate southwest winds with very little raptor movement. A single <b>GOLDEN EAGLE</b> passing directly overhead along the Ridge was the main highlight on the day. <b>November 23 </b>brought chilly temps (high 24 F!); however, great blustery northwest winds churned down onto the lake shore throughout the entire count period. Nearly all of the flight throughout the day would pass along the shoreline. A nice late season push of <b>RED-TAILED HAWKS (27)</b> would make a gradual procession south along the lake - <i>pushing the season total over the <b>5000</b> mark!</i> A couple of <b>GOLDEN EAGLES </b>and a few <b>ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS (3)</b> would pass as well; however, the highlight on the day included a late adult <b>RED-SHOULDERED HAWK </b>mixing in with the Red-tails along the lake shore. November records for Red-shoulders are sparse to begin with and generally restricted to the earlier days of the month, making this the latest HRBO fall count record.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Northwest winds continued into <b>November 24</b> with a strong <b>BALD EAGLE (59)</b> flight passing down the shore, beginning in the mid-morning hours and lasting until noon at which point the momentum seemed to taper gradually into the afternoon. Another good push of <b>RED-TAILED HAWKS (17)</b> followed a similar shoreline flight line as yesterday while frosty temps continue into the late season (high of 26 F). A highlight on the day included an adult <b>AMERICAN GOSHAWK </b>rising over the summit in the early morning light while slowly pushing south down the Ridge just above the tree tops. The large accipiter was in no rush, pausing to circling overhead several times while providing excellent views in the crisp early morning air (15 F) before disappearing out of view behind the southwest horizon. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> A shift to southwest winds on <b>November 25</b> made for a day of nearly all <b>BALD EAGLES (37)</b> while a single young light-morph <b>ROUGH-LEGGED</b> made passage as well. The final raptor migrant would pass around 12:30 PM, with no others for the remainder of the afternoon. Southwest/west winds persisted into the following day (<b>November 26</b>) with heavy morning snow lifting by 10 AM. The first bird on the day being a young <b>GOLDEN EAGLE</b> appearing to the north as it slowly came down the Ridge - taking it's time as snowflakes drifted through the scope view. <i>This is what November hawkwatching on the Ridge is all about! </i>Five more Goldens would make passage throughout the day, all following very similar flightlines while cutting towards the summit from the north and dropping below the Ridge while passing low along the west side. A light-morph <b>ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK</b> coming down the lake shore added to a nice day of raptor diversity, while a handful of low <b>BALD EAGLES (5)</b> all seemed to pass low on the far west side, similar to the Goldens.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaGcxwrwbuXDOwIcueXBitpKwN8HLawTTKJRth7ApiZ5hEHCZ70Mn4Zie9olTyRyFH4PYpLyGuyWqOB5duRAtxD781clPpZ1Le-rbmrVssIUzELlnuIXLL5tlQX9-dgZl7DWp4OZLft9mspzzEy7b7VSQCBeSOlKiDVkhPenY9RV4gTkBMk4SA7KfX75oJ/s1280/776C29C4-D08A-4921-B8B1-3069631443A6(1).jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="958" data-original-width="1280" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaGcxwrwbuXDOwIcueXBitpKwN8HLawTTKJRth7ApiZ5hEHCZ70Mn4Zie9olTyRyFH4PYpLyGuyWqOB5duRAtxD781clPpZ1Le-rbmrVssIUzELlnuIXLL5tlQX9-dgZl7DWp4OZLft9mspzzEy7b7VSQCBeSOlKiDVkhPenY9RV4gTkBMk4SA7KfX75oJ/w491-h368/776C29C4-D08A-4921-B8B1-3069631443A6(1).jpeg" width="491" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A fresh snowflake falls on optics while hawkwatching on the Ridge on November 26 (Photo: Jess Cosentino)<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>November 27 </b>brought more northwest winds; however, visibility was poor due to light cloud and snow showers. Throughout most the morning, intermittent periods of less than 0.5 mile of visibility would temporarily clear before disappearing again. <b>BALD EAGLES (14)</b> were the primary raptor migrant on the day while a pair of light-morph <b>ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS</b> would make passage as well. While it can often diminish overall visibility and detection, it is always a treat from an aesthetic standpoint to witness late November flights on the Ridge where raptors are passing through a snow-filled sky while standing quietly upon the overlook, wrapped in down and wool, as the sun makes a low arc over the passing hours.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV15DMQn1ZyVP8g3sPhBDk1ro-kaW6MK_RGHcKnubgqZKV7A4Hc8xRrgmQvutSe2Zq-NSeCaPSJ46zuLRX_bXePPAEosfQNDG0Io4eHahpER3BZFIEKD73MDxLpXjNY5-JSYbFFwzb0AU1WxVZEKE65dtE4bdh_YxX_PIQDWU62noJTxf_92loZhshuqUf/s1280/DA83C007-A8BE-4F2D-A667-D551B2E8D46F.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="958" data-original-width="1280" height="393" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV15DMQn1ZyVP8g3sPhBDk1ro-kaW6MK_RGHcKnubgqZKV7A4Hc8xRrgmQvutSe2Zq-NSeCaPSJ46zuLRX_bXePPAEosfQNDG0Io4eHahpER3BZFIEKD73MDxLpXjNY5-JSYbFFwzb0AU1WxVZEKE65dtE4bdh_YxX_PIQDWU62noJTxf_92loZhshuqUf/w524-h393/DA83C007-A8BE-4F2D-A667-D551B2E8D46F.jpeg" width="524" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> Frosty conditions while counting from the overlook on November 27 as intermittent snow squalls limited visibility throughout much of the count period (Photo: Jess Cosentino)<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>November 28</b> shifted to southwest winds and a nice late season <b>BALD EAGLE</b> <b>(41) </b>came throughout the mid-morning, with nearly 20 passing in the first hour of the count alone; however, tapering off dramatically into the afternoon hours. West winds continued into <b>November 29</b> with unseasonably warmer temperatures (40 F by afternoon). The sun was shining and warming the earth along the Ridge, with conditions more reminiscent of early October. Two <b>GOLDEN EAGLES</b> appeared over the summit to welcome the day - <i>Always a good sign.<b> </b></i><b>BALD EAGLES (47)</b> were moving down the shore with momentum picking up as the morning progressed; however, the overall migration pace was generally slow. The eagles continued to take their time moving down the shore, pooling up together in large groups in no rush to move south, while several more Goldens followed a similar lake shore flight line. One visitor to the overlook managed to get their "lifer" Golden as it came down the shore, while a second followed shortly behind. While counting is the inherent backbone of the migration count, there is a larger element of the hawkwatching community that is emphasized during little moments like this. Being able to step aside from the scope and let a visitor peer through to see their first Golden eagle during a record-breaking season for the species really is <i>what hawkwatching is all about.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i> </i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>November 30 </b>brought the final day of the fall migration count and the highlight included a very late migrant <b>TURKEY VULTURE </b>slowly passing down the shore throughout the early afternoon hours! This represents the latest record of this species during the HRBO fall count (previous late record: 11/18/17). A nice push of <b>BALD EAGLES (27)</b> and <b>RED-TAILED HAWKS (10)</b> made up the bulk of the flight on the day; however, it was the company that was the highlight. A crowd of hawkwatchers gathered at the overlook throughout the late morning and enjoyed the warm sun and passage migrants while reflecting on another season on the Ridge gone: Erik Bruhnke, Sarah Wood, Margie Menzies, Dave Carman, John Edwards, Ed Longway, Larry Snyder<i> </i>to name a few.<br /><i><br /></i>This is the final day for the HRBO fall migration count. This fall count
logged <b>963 count hours</b>, which represents <i>the highest number of
hours ever logged</i> (Previous high being 2011 with 961). Some notable count
highlights from this fall include:<br /></span>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br />
- New season high record for GOLDEN EAGLE (265) <br /></span>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br />
- New season high record for BLUE JAYS (78,631)<br /></span>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br />
- New day count high record for RED-HEADED WOODPECKER (10 on September 2)<br /></span>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br />
- New day count high record for SANDHILL CRANE (1,132 on October 7)<br /></span>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br />
- New HRBO October month high total for BROAD-WINGED HAWK (3,505)<br /></span>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br />
- New October month high total for TURKEY VULTURE (1,710)<br /></span>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br />
- Tying the second highest day count high record for PEREGRINE FALCON (25 on October 3)<br /></span>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br />
- Highest AMERICAN KESTREL season total (1,811) since 2005<br /></span>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br />
- Latest fall record of BROAD-WINGED HAWK (November 18)<br /></span>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br />
- Latest fall record of TURKEY VULTURE (November 30)<br /></span>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br />
Thank you to everyone who has come to the Ridge to count, work,
volunteer, visit, or simply discover raptor migration. This Ridge along
Lake Superior's north shore is a special place. The bird migration that
passed along it each fall is unlike any other place in the world. To
those individuals who are fortunate enough to enjoy even a day standing
along it, hopefully those memories carry with you for a lifetime.<br /></span>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br />
There is a bittersweet cloud that lingers with the final day of the fall
count here. Reflection on the long season that has passed highlights
many fond memories while also cementing the realization that migration
has finally come to an end. There is a sadness and beauty in watching
another migration come and disappear in the darkness of winter. To share
it with many people, from HRBO staff, volunteers, and visitors is a
gift.<br /></span>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br />
Thank you from the Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory count staff for another great fall migration count. This is a special place. <i> </i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i> </i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Jess Cosentino</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Lead Counter<i> </i></b></span> </div><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>Jess Cosentinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04916069395367500491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5922014117958172534.post-21907073510950324572023-11-27T14:55:00.004-06:002023-12-15T11:01:07.709-06:00Hawk Ridge News - November 2023<p> <span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Dear Hawk Ridge Friends,</span></p><div style="border-color: black; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; clear: both; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; width: 614px;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"> </span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"></span></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img align="right" alt="Naturalist Sarah W releasing dark morph Red-tailed Hawk by B Braga" border="0" height="204" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/96a4024cd9/Naturalist%20Sarah%20W%20releasing%20dark%20morph%20Red-tailed%20Hawk%20by%20B%20Braga.jpg" style="height: 204px; width: 306px;" title="Naturalist Sarah W releasing dark morph Red-tailed Hawk by B Braga" vspace="0" width="306" /></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif">November is always a special month to reflect on all the wonderful people that put Hawk Ridge into action during the fall - we had an amazing crew of staff and volunteers that we're so grateful for. </span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif">Thanks to your support, we were able to continue sharing in the magic and beauty of the fall bird migration at Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve with visitors of all ages, abilities, and from throughout the world. </span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif">We appreciate each and every one of you! </span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif">Our bird migration count and raptor banding research continues through November 30th. </span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif">Over 270,000 birds have been counted so far, including over 41,500 raptors of 18 species. </span><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif"><span>You can also check out the live bird migration count totals </span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif">on Trektellen </span><a href="https://www.trektellen.org/count/view/3670/" id="" target="_blank">HERE</a><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"> and HawkCount </span><a href="https://hawkcount.org/month_summary.php?r=on&rsite=288&go=Go+to+site" id="" target="_blank">HERE</a><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span>. Find out more in our</span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"> October research & education summary reports below! </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif">P.S. </span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif">If you missed our last e-newsletter featuring our September bird migration count and raptor banding summaries, you can view that and older versions by clicking </span><a href="http://hawkridgeblog.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">HERE</a><span face="Verdana, sans-serif">. </span><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif">Keep up with recent news by following us on </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/HawkRidgeDuluth" target="_blank">Facebook</a><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif"> </span><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif">and</span><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif"> </span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/hawk_ridge_bird_observatory/" target="_blank">Instagram</a><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif">. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.givemn.org/organization/Hawkridge" target="_blank">Give to the Max for Hawk Ridge!</a></span></span></b><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span>NOW through Thursday, November 16th</span></span></b><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img align="right" alt="Golden Eagle by H Toutonghi" border="0" height="221" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/96a4024cd9/Golden%20Eagle%20by%20H%20Toutonghi.jpg" style="height: 221px; width: 306px;" title="Golden Eagle by H Toutonghi" vspace="0" width="306" /></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The annual MN Nonprofit Giving Day - Give to the Max is HERE! As we're enjoying the beauty of Golden Eagles at Hawk Ridge, you can also help us win a $500 Golden Ticket! Any gift is eligible and Golden tickets will be awarded every 15 minutes all day long on Thurs. Nov. 16th. Please help us meet our goal of $7000 on this special giving day! </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.givemn.org/organization/Hawkridge" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img align="left" alt="GTMD 2023_Square_full color" border="0" height="200" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/96a4024cd9/GTMD%202023_Square_full%20color.jpg" style="height: 200px; width: 200px;" title="GTMD 2023_Square_full color" vspace="0" width="200" /></span></a></p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif">You can easily make your gift online by visiting GiveMN.org and searching for "Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory" or by simply </span><a href="https://www.givemn.org/organization/Hawkridge" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">clicking HERE to Give to the Max</span></a><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"> in support of Hawk Ridge! We truly appreciate your support and invite you to enjoy the Golden Eagles and other raptors at Hawk Ridge now through November 30th! </span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><u><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><u><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">October Bird Migration Count Summary</span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><u><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></u></b></p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img align="right" alt="Hawk Ridge Counters Fall 2023 by Sara D" border="0" height="229" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/96a4024cd9/IMG_4807.jpg" style="height: 229px; width: 306px;" title="Hawk Ridge Counters Fall 2023 by Sara D" vspace="0" width="306" /></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory (HRBO): Migration Count Overview (October 2023) The Fall 2023 migration count at Hawk Ridge continued through October with a total of 303.6 count hours over 31 consecutive days by the end of the month. This was the second highest October hourly total for count hours ever recorded during the fall count (High being October 2000 = 305.75 count hours). A total of 20,531 raptors across 17 different species were documented from the platform during the month. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img align="right" alt="HRBO_17OCT2023_RTHA by Jess Cosentino" border="0" height="187" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/96a4024cd9/HRBO_17OCT2023_RTHA%20by%20Jess%20Cosentino.JPG" style="height: 187px; width: 350px;" title="HRBO_17OCT2023_RTHA by Jess Cosentino" vspace="0" width="350" /></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The most abundant raptor species counted were: SHARP-SHINNED HAWK (8,207), RED-TAILED HAWK (4,231), BROAD-WINGED HAWK (3,506), BALD EAGLE (1,740), TURKEY VULTURE (1,726). The following species had above-average October count totals: TURKEY VULTURE, OSPREY, NORTHERN HARRIER, SHARP-SHINNED HAWK, BROAD-WINGED HAWK, AMERICAN KESTREL, and PEREGRINE FALCON. The following species had below-average October count totals: BALD EAGLE, COOPER'S HAWK, AMERICAN GOSHAWK, RED-TAILED HAWK, GOLDEN EAGLE, and MERLIN. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img align="right" alt="HRBO_15OCT2023 Broad-winged Hawk by J Cosentino" border="0" height="233" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/96a4024cd9/HRBO_15OCT2023%20Broad-winged%20Hawk%20by%20J%20Cosentino.JPG" style="height: 233px; width: 350px;" title="HRBO_15OCT2023 Broad-winged Hawk by J Cosentino" vspace="0" width="350" /></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">This month recorded HRBO site high record October totals for: BROAD-WINGED HAWKS, TURKEY VULTURES, and PEREGRINE FALCONS (86), meaning the highest October totals ever documented for each species. The delay in both Broad-winged and Turkey Vulture southward movement could have been related to several weeks of poor weather/wind conditions in September earlier this year. If migrant raptors remained held up at northern latitudes, their later passage along the Ridge into October could have been a result when, historically, migrant Broad-winged Hawks are documented in September (For reference, this past September experienced one of the lowest Broad-winged Hawk monthly totals ever recorded at HRBO for October). </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img align="right" alt="Peregrine Falcon by F Nicoletti" border="0" height="176" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/96a4024cd9/Peregrine%20Falcon%2022%20by%20F%20Nicoletti.jpg" style="height: 176px; width: 200px;" title="Peregrine Falcon by F Nicoletti" vspace="0" width="200" /></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The large October Peregrine flight during the first week of the month was also really impressive! The two back-to-back days (Oct 3 and 4) brought 46 migrant Peregrines combined - absolutely incredible to witness from the Ridge. The first day (Oct 3) Peregrine Falcon day count total of 25 birds tied the second highest HRBO site day count record for this species (Tied with September 19, 2019). </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img align="right" alt="HRBO_17OCT2023 Short-eared Owl by J Cosentino" border="0" height="219" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/96a4024cd9/HRBO_17OCT2023%20Short-eared%20Owl%20by%20J%20Cosentino.JPG" style="height: 219px; width: 350px;" title="HRBO_17OCT2023 Short-eared Owl by J Cosentino" vspace="0" width="350" /></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif">Additionally, the October BROAD-WINGED HAWK movement was an atypical spectacle to witness. Typical fall migration patterns have nearly all migrant Broad-winged Hawks passing HRBO by mid-to-late September, so to stand and witness kettles totaling 2,542 on 10/4 (which included one DARK-MORPH BROAD-WING!) felt special. </span><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif">The month also brought an adult RED-SHOULDERED HAWK close along the west side of the Ridge on 10/27 during a large buteo and eagle flight, and three SHORT-EARED OWLS (10/8, 10/18, 10/29) both along the Ridge directly overhead and down the shore. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img align="right" alt="American Robin by S McLaughlin" border="0" height="213" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/96a4024cd9/American%20Robin%20Spring%202023%20by%20S%20McLaughlin.jpg" style="height: 213px; width: 250px;" title="American Robin by S McLaughlin" vspace="0" width="250" /></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The non-raptor flight along the Ridge gained momentum over October, with 91 non-raptor migrant bird species documented. The most abundant non-raptor species documented throughout the month were: AMERICAN ROBIN (19,932), AMERICAN CROW (7,665), RUSTY BLACKBIRD (7,408), PINE SISKIN (6,717), PURPLE FINCH (5,684), UNIDENTIFIED WARBLER SPECIES (5,196), COMMON GRACKLE (3,778), YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER (3,446), CANADA GOOSE (3,276), BLUE JAY (1,275).</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img align="right" alt="Beautiful Fall Colors at Hawk Ridge by J Cosentino" border="0" height="187" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/96a4024cd9/Beautiful%20Fall%20Colors%20at%20Hawk%20Ridge%20by%20J%20Cosentino.jpeg" style="height: 187px; width: 250px;" title="Beautiful Fall Colors at Hawk Ridge by J Cosentino" vspace="0" width="250" /></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Other non-raptor migrant highlights from the month include: A late male BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER during morning flight and first HARRIS'S SPARROW of the fall at the feeders on 10/2, Large RUSTY BLACKBIRD (4,107) and AMERICAN ROBIN (5,277) movement down the shore on 10/6 during morning flight, HRBO site day record for SANDHILL CRANES (1,132) on 10/7, First BOREAL CHICKADEE of the fall on 10/8, First BOHEMIAN WAXWING of the fall on 10/10, Big migrant AMERICAN CROW movement (1,159) down the shore on 10/12, late CHIMNEY SWIFT on 10/16, late EASTERN PHOEBE passing along the Ridge on 10/31, seven migrant BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKERS throughout the month, and two TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIRES (10/15 and 10/16 - possibly the same bird).</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">To view all species (raptor and non-raptor) totals for the Fall 2023 migration count at Hawk Ridge, visit: <a href="https://www.trektellen.org/site/totals/3670/2023" target="_blank">https://www.trektellen.org/site/totals/3670/2023</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">By Jess Cosentino</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Lead Counter</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><u><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b><u>October Raptor Banding Summary</u></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img align="right" alt="Abbie Valine with hatch year Bald Eagle by Frank Nicoletti" border="0" height="333" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/96a4024cd9/IMG_1512.jpg" style="height: 333px; width: 250px;" title="Abbie Valine with hatch year Bald Eagle by Frank Nicoletti" vspace="0" width="250" /></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">After a rather anticlimactic end to September, October started out strong with some of our busiest days of the season in the first week. However, the theme of the season was still poor weather, and we were plagued with a long stretch of just one to two birds a day in mid-October. The last week of the month picked up significantly, however, with a solid flight of Red-tailed Hawks and nice looks at typical late-season birds like Rough-legged Hawks and Golden Eagles. American Goshawk numbers have been extremely low this season, with only 6 banded in October and 7 for the season to date (compared to the 12-year average of 88.4 per season). These low numbers are hopefully indicative of a high prey density in the breeding range resulting in birds not needing to move far in search of food, rather than a decline in overall numbers. Most of the month of October was quite warm and wet, which did not promote strong movement of hungry birds. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img align="right" alt="Banding Apprentices - Doris with juvenile female Northern Harrier and Liv Fortuna and adult female Northern Harrier photo by Abbie Valine" border="0" height="217" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/96a4024cd9/IMG_1478.jpg" style="height: 217px; width: 306px;" title="Banding Apprentices - Doris with juvenile female Northern Harrier and Liv Fortuna and adult female Northern Harrier photo by Abbie Valine" vspace="0" width="306" /></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Despite the lower numbers for the month, we put in a valiant effort with three stations covered a total of 62 days. The Hawk Ridge and Moose Valley stations were covered primarily by Abbie Valine and Kara Beer, respectively, while Frank Nicoletti ran Paine Farm as well as relief days at Hawk Ridge. Banding apprentices Liv Fortuna and Doris Rodriguez made excellent progress throughout the month refining their banding and trapping skills, while trainees Megan Hanson, Marie Chappell, and Sarah Needles solidified the basics of raptor handling and banding. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img align="right" alt="Hatch-year Swainson's Hawk by D Rodriguez" border="0" height="267" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/96a4024cd9/Resized_Resized_20231001_162948.JPEG" style="height: 267px; width: 200px;" title="Hatch-year Swainson's Hawk by D Rodriguez" vspace="0" width="200" /></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The biggest highlight of the month was a juvenile Swainson’s Hawk banded at Moose Valley—only the 5th one banded in 51 years, and the first since 2016. Other highlights included a juvenile male Bald Eagle captured at Moose Valley, and a new daily record of 16 Northern Harriers captured at the Hawk Ridge station.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img align="left" alt="Swainson's Hawk by D Rodriguez" border="0" height="185" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/96a4024cd9/Resized_Resized_20231001_162839%202.jpg" style="height: 185px; width: 250px;" title="Swainson's Hawk by D Rodriguez" vspace="0" width="250" /></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b><u>October Raptor Banding Totals: </u></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img align="right" alt="Second Year Peregrine Falcon by D Rodriguez" border="0" height="229" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/96a4024cd9/Resized_Resized_20231005_161653.jpg" style="height: 229px; width: 306px;" title="Second Year Peregrine Falcon by D Rodriguez" vspace="0" width="306" /></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Northern Harrier – 30 </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Sharp-shinned Hawk – 427 </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Cooper’s Hawk – 8 </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">American Goshawk – 6 </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Swainson’s Hawk – 1 </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Red-tailed Hawk – 60 </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">American Kestrel – 4 </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Merlin – 17 </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Peregrine Falcon – 5 </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Bald Eagle – 1 </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Northern Shrike – 3 </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Total – 562</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">By Abbie Valine</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Lead Bander</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><u><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">October Owl Banding Summary</span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img align="right" alt="Female Northern Saw-whet Owl by Doris Rodriguez" border="0" height="407" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/96a4024cd9/Photo%203.NSWO.jpg" style="height: 407px; width: 306px;" title="Female Northern Saw-whet Owl by Doris Rodriguez" vspace="0" width="306" /></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Hoot-hoot everyone! For the second half of the Hawk Ridge fall owl banding season, the banders were able to run mist-nets for 13 nights from October 16 to November 10. Snow, rain, high wind speeds slowed down banding operations for a few nights, but our resilient banders put on extra layers to stay warm and their extraction skills remained sharp, as they removed thousands of leaves from their nets. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Migration certainly slowed for Northern Saw-whet Owls (NSWO) during the second half of the season. 185 NSWO were banded and 5 Saw-whet’s that already had a band were processed. The final big push of the season brought 45 Saw-whet’s to our station on October 20th. This may seem low compared to our big night of the season that consisted of 150 plus Saw-whet’s during the night of October 7th. But it served as a nice farewell to the high Saw- whet movement. On October 28th apprentice Sarah had the honor of banding a celebrity Saw-whet—the 1000th NSWO of the season. This was a major milestone for the season since this number had not been reached since 2020. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><u>Saw-whet Owl Numbers (Oct. 16-Nov. 10)</u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Sex: Male 2, Female 143, Unknown 40 </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Age: Hatch Year 100, Second Year 31, After Hatch Year 36 </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img align="right" alt="Volunteer Anna processing Long-eared Owl by Kevin Garcia Lopez" border="0" height="204" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/96a4024cd9/Picture%202.%20Anna%20processing%20LEOW.JPEG" style="height: 204px; width: 306px;" title="Volunteer Anna processing Long-eared Owl by Kevin Garcia Lopez" vspace="0" width="306" /></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Our previous owl banding update highlighted the charismatic Saw-whet Owls, but the spotlight of the second half shifted to the Long-eared Owls (LEOW). We had steady LEOW numbers during the first half of the season and twenty seven individuals were banded by October 15. Owl banders had three big LEOW nights. The first of these three nights happened during the morning of October 22. By 1:00 am, banders had only caught one single Saw-whet owl. At 1:15 am they caught a Long-eared owl. Three more LEOW’s were caught during the next net check. As our owl bander was in the process of releasing the banded owls, he almost looked as shocked as Long-eared Owls look when he noticed that eight more LEOW were caught in the nets. What a time! He was able to extract all eight individuals thanks to the support of two of our dedicated volunteers. By end of the night they ended up banding thirteen Long-eared Owls. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img align="right" alt="100th Long-eared Owl of season by A Johnson" border="0" height="204" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/96a4024cd9/Photo%201.%20100th%20LEOW.JPG" style="height: 204px; width: 306px;" title="100th Long-eared Owl of season by A Johnson" vspace="0" width="306" /></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Our next big Long-eared night took place on November 3rd. We ended up banding twenty LEOW. Fifteen of these were caught from 8:00 pm to 11:30 pm. The remaining five came in from 1:00 am to 5:00 am. One LEOW per hour. This night was not only special because we ended up banding 20 LEOW (our season high), but also because we banded our 75th LEOW of the season. But After Second Year 17 Unknown Age 1 what truly made this night special was that we had our full banding team including our Lead bander Abbie, our diurnal bander Kara and our banding apprentices Doris and Liv. We wouldn’t have banded as many LEOW without their support. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">On the night of November 7 we caught eleven more LEOW. Prior to this night we had a total of 95 LEOW. We knew this was going to the be the night we made it to 100. Fortunately everything lined up; weather, flight and the 100th Long-eared of the season was caught at 2:15 am. A great milestone for the season. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Long-eared Owl Numbers (Oct 16-Nov 10) </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Sex: Male 30, Female 55, Unknown 7 </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Age: HY 11, AHY 45, ASY 23, Unknown 13</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">By Kevin Garcia Lopez</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Owl Bander</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><u><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">October Education Summary</span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><u><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje_C2jS-uD1QLTgLh3rv1Wa6NyBlVjIVoZLKyRZpmlSSjSq0GD3WTc9S4kvtboz3FRU2xv8oTcDfIw51R5ebbQ6UlLZWzsuERKpFPDuEMi7G7Zcko02QlYZpvKu-FDLklIgejtASRyMgeLaB-IpWrRuaowect9uzLmA1c0CzcND2M7PbntRpogAktwUcA/s4130/120A9254.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2934" data-original-width="4130" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje_C2jS-uD1QLTgLh3rv1Wa6NyBlVjIVoZLKyRZpmlSSjSq0GD3WTc9S4kvtboz3FRU2xv8oTcDfIw51R5ebbQ6UlLZWzsuERKpFPDuEMi7G7Zcko02QlYZpvKu-FDLklIgejtASRyMgeLaB-IpWrRuaowect9uzLmA1c0CzcND2M7PbntRpogAktwUcA/s320/120A9254.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Another fall education season has quickly flown by. A few hints of snow, but nothing too serious this year, just enough to remind us that winter is truly coming. Plenty of activity going on at the overlook during October. For school and private programming September is just a warm up for the main attraction in October. This October we had 60 school and private program groups during Monday through Fridays at the Ridge (compared to 21 school and private programs in September), an additional 28 general public programs over the weekends, 6 owl programs, and 48 visiting birds from the banding stations for demonstrations and public releases, totaling about 142 programs with more than 3100 participants! And a good time was had by all! </span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img align="right" alt="Everyone Can Bird Event at Hawk Ridge Oct 2023 by M Menzies" border="0" height="230" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/96a4024cd9/Everyone%20Can%20Bird%20Event%20at%20Hawk%20Ridge%20Oct%202023%20by%20M%20Menzies.jpg" style="height: 230px; width: 306px;" title="Everyone Can Bird Event at Hawk Ridge Oct 2023 by M Menzies" vspace="0" width="306" /></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">On October 14th, we celebrated World Migratory Bird day with a cooperative venture of area groups working to make birding accessible to all by celebrating our 4th Everyone Can Bird day at Hawk Ridge with our largest turnout so far with about 35 who came for the morning programming and migration tracking. Thanks to the Lake Superior National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR), Friends of the Lake Superior NERR, Minnesota Land Trust, Wisconsin Sea Grant, and Embark, and our ASL interpreters for teaming up with Hawk Ridge for this event! The 14th was also our fall Duluth Community Day Celebration and we recorded a total of 293 visitors through the course of the day celebrating Duluth and fall migration.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCAya3kAW6SLYeV3TSWYyJfJuetA_qR59BhYYasx7nu8-EwydJ_SDsShLabPOISVl3Nu6teQBTaEN016ReT7HX-mWzrccLIAo69dJ-NJxtvCWvVQDDw4q_g_P6Fv-tG8oB6AZrVFk63dbQTNUuhXpOfjCGND7hKxF1kLQKu-zkE2E2NmmQqVjrCpynceY/s2358/Bob%20Rosenfield%20with%20Great%20Horned%20Owl%20Oct%2023.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2358" data-original-width="1848" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCAya3kAW6SLYeV3TSWYyJfJuetA_qR59BhYYasx7nu8-EwydJ_SDsShLabPOISVl3Nu6teQBTaEN016ReT7HX-mWzrccLIAo69dJ-NJxtvCWvVQDDw4q_g_P6Fv-tG8oB6AZrVFk63dbQTNUuhXpOfjCGND7hKxF1kLQKu-zkE2E2NmmQqVjrCpynceY/s320/Bob%20Rosenfield%20with%20Great%20Horned%20Owl%20Oct%2023.jpg" width="251" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Thanks to Bob Rosenfeld, for baling out our Oct. 21 Owl program with his captive Great Horned Owl (a non-releasable bird with eyesight issues). The rain that day was supposed to quit, first by noon, then by 3, but was still going strong at 6, when we opted for plan B an indoor Owl Public Owl Program at the Limnology Lab. Another Lake Superior special day- that’s what I call it when the big lake makes weather hang on longer than it should! Of course we weren’t able to have any guests from our Hawk Ridge Owl banding station, but were so lucky to have Bob and his Great Horned Owl to fill in the live owl component for the program! It was truly a night not to be missed, and we all learned an amazing amount about owls and Great Horned Owls in particular. Thanks so much to Bob Rosenfeld, retired professor from University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point, and his owl for making the rainy day owl program a smashing success!</span></div><div style="border-color: black; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; clear: both; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; width: 614px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></div><div style="border-color: black; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; clear: both; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; width: 614px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4FBORUqm5CNvAocHym766pIBhzJ3z0TAEoGnnHd-prxsFyNF-cm8Hnu9DrFdzU9zX2uRP6dMBasq3rrmmv6ZWZKt0xiactIev5nwaq8LyH1eceX5PtYUqfSuKVmCPvPH0QDHL8Q9RxDRWfQOj8gkwE3GzdsYl6qILEX1evF_XcT5HClky1fxaP6k-BAw/s4032/IMG_5034.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4FBORUqm5CNvAocHym766pIBhzJ3z0TAEoGnnHd-prxsFyNF-cm8Hnu9DrFdzU9zX2uRP6dMBasq3rrmmv6ZWZKt0xiactIev5nwaq8LyH1eceX5PtYUqfSuKVmCPvPH0QDHL8Q9RxDRWfQOj8gkwE3GzdsYl6qILEX1evF_XcT5HClky1fxaP6k-BAw/w417-h313/IMG_5034.jpg" width="417" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The end of the formal education season at Hawk Ridge traditionally is always Halloween day, October 31st. Which unfortunately I missed this year with the excuse of being in Costa Rica with the Hawk Ridge tour observing the migration there- which was amazing!! But back to the Halloween festivities- I was provided with a great summary of the wide range of costumes that appeared to celebrate this last day of the season. Included in the staff entourage were: A flock of migrating birds flying through blue skies and clouds, A festive Halloween pin model, A female Sharp-shinned Hawk in a Pringles can being transported for demonstration purposes, a Shark, A butterfly and its caterpillar (still trying to figure out how we had both at the same time!) An Angry Bird, A Kingfisher, An adult male Grey Ghost Northern Harrier, A mist net full of captured birds for banding, A fancy Ketchup package, A discology of Taylor Swift, A Hawk- still working on speciation for this one, a Grey Catbird, and Last but not least all the way from Africa, a Secretary Bird! Thank you Tania for sharing the fun long distance! Not all of the amazing education and operation staff are represented in this great photo- but I can’t put the season to bed without expressing how grateful we are for such an incredible group of staff and volunteers to share the wonder of the wonder of the fall migration with our visitors! </span></div><div style="border-color: black; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; clear: both; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; width: 614px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A quick summary of the fall season is also in order here to put the whole education season in perspective for the fall. Sept. and October program numbers combined indicate that we provided more than 311 formal education opportunities to about 7,400 participants! It was an amazing and busy season!!</span></span></div><div style="border-color: black; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; clear: both; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; width: 614px;"><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">By Margie Menzies</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Education Director</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><u><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Fall Raffle at the Ridge</span></u></b></p><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="Northern Harrier Oct 22" border="0" height="225" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/d450ca8c6a/unnamed%20(18).jpg" style="height: 225px; width: 306px;" title="Northern Harrier Oct 22" vspace="0" width="306" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span>We held our annual fall Raptors Raffle at Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve this October with drawing on October 31st. </span><span>Thank you to all that purchased tickets in support of our bird research and education programs at Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory! </span><span>Congratulations to the following raffle winners: </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">1) Vortex Viper HD 8x42 Binoculars (winner: Ralph Larsen, Duluth, MN)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">2) Guided Winter Birding Daytrip for 2 with Frank Nicoletti (winner: Carissa Scanlan, St. Paul, MN)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">3) $100 Gift Certificate for Merchandise from the Hawk Ridge gift shop (winner: Jeanne Wright, Chippewa Falls, WI). </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><div style="border-color: black; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; clear: both; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; width: 614px;"><div class="xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs" style="margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><u>International Birding Trip Update</u> </span></b></p></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s" style="margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><div><span><span style="background-color: #f8f5f2; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Ecuador - Birding the Choco-Andes Region</b></span></span></div><div><span><span style="background-color: #f8f5f2; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>February 25th - March 5th, 2024 </b></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: red;"><span>(Trip is FULL </span><span>- watch for our next trip in summer or fall 2024!)</span></span></b><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif"> </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Please contact Hawk Ridge Education Director, Margie Menzies, mmenzies@hawkridge.org with future birding trip ideas and to be first on the list to know!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><u><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Hawk Migration Association of North America</span></u></b></div><div><b><u><a href="https://www.hmana.org/50thconference/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">50th Anniversary Conference in Duluth, MN</span></a></u></b></div><div><b><u><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">SAVE THE DATE! November 7-10, 2024</span></u></b></div><div><b><u><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></u></b></div><img align="right" alt="HMANA 50th Logo FINAL (white background)" border="0" height="118" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/e98f93d167/HMANA%2050th%20Logo%20FINAL%20(white%20background).jpg" style="height: 118px; width: 200px;" title="HMANA 50th Logo FINAL (white background)" vspace="0" width="200" /><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory is happy to announce that the Hawk Migration Association of North America (HMANA) is holding their 50th anniversary conference here in Duluth, MN next year in Nov. 2024! Hawk Ridge is helping host and will keep you posted on details. You can check out the conference link <a href="https://www.hmana.org/50thconference/" target="_blank">HERE</a>! </span></div><div><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></b></div><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><u><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Thank You for Your Support!</span></u></b></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><img align="right" alt="American Goshawk by K Bardon" border="0" height="133" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/fcfbada968/American%20Goshawk%20by%20Karl%20Bardon%202.jpg" style="height: 133px; width: 200px;" title="American Goshawk by K Bardon" vspace="0" width="200" /><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory thanks all of our supporters. We appreciate you! As a nonprofit organization, we are primarily funded by individual gifts to put our bird migration research and education programs in action. Below are some of the ways you can help us keep sharing the magic of the bird migration!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><u><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Support Hawk Ridge by Shopping!</span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><img align="right" alt="Lisa and Tania at Hawk Ridge Merchandise Trailer" border="0" height="230" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/e8fa4240b0/Lisa%20and%20Tania%20at%20Hawk%20Ridge%20Merchandise%20Trailer.jpg" style="height: 230px; width: 306px;" title="Lisa and Tania at Hawk Ridge Merchandise Trailer" vspace="0" width="306" /><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Thank you for the wonderful support by shopping at our fall season gift shop this Sept/Oct. If there was an item you were hoping for, please check out our online shopping options below with some of our merchandise or contact jlong@hawkridge.org. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://hawkridgeobservatory.itemorder.com/shop/sale/" target="_blank">Big Frog (direct ship or pick up at Duluth store)</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.bonfire.com/store/hawk-ridge-limited-edition-merchandise/" target="_blank">Bonfire (direct ship)</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://mugexp.com/collections/hawk-ridge" target="_blank">The Mug Experience (direct ship)</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="Whole Foods Co-op Logo" border="0" height="185" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/fcfbada968/Whole%20Foods%20Co-op%20Logo%203.jpg" style="height: 185px; width: 200px;" title="Whole Foods Co-op Logo" vspace="0" width="200" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b><u>Thank you Whole Foods Co-Op Duluth!</u></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif">A special thanks to Duluth Whole Foods Co-Op and members for the Community Giving round-up program in support of Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory! As the September recipient and through your generosity, we received over $5,500 in round-up donations! </span><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif">P.S. If you know of other businesses that have special ways to support nonprofits, like Hawk Ridge, please let us know by sending an email to jlong@hawkridge.org. Thank you! </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b><u>Become A Member Today!</u></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><img align="right" alt="Hawk Ridge bird release" border="0" height="150" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/fcfbada968/Hawk%20Ridge%20bird%20release.JPG" style="height: 150px; width: 200px;" title="Hawk Ridge bird release" vspace="0" width="200" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif">If you're already a member of Hawk Ridge, we sincerely appreciate your support! THANK YOU! If you're not a member and have enjoyed your experience with Hawk Ridge, we invite you to renew or join as a Hawk Ridge member today! Our memberships and donations help drive our bird conservation research and education programs. You can check out our exciting membership benefits</span><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif"> and</span><a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/support/membership/" target="_blank"> <b>join or renew online HERE!</b></a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><div><img align="right" alt="Rainbow at Hawk Ridge by K Bardon" border="0" height="133" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/fcfbada968/HR%20rainbow%20with%20Alex%20by%20Karl%20Bardon.jpg" style="height: 133px; width: 200px;" title="Rainbow at Hawk Ridge by K Bardon" vspace="0" width="200" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><u><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Simply Donate</span></span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">You can always simply donate online by clicking <a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/support/donate/" target="_blank">HERE</a> or by mailing a check made out to Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory, P.O. Box 3006, Duluth, MN 55803.</span></p></div></div></div></div></div><h3 style="border-color: black; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 6px; padding: 0px; width: 614px;"></h3><div style="border-color: black; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; clear: both; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; width: 614px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.hawkridge.org/support/donate/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #386eff;"></span></a><a href="http://www.hawkridge.org/support/donate/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #386eff;"></span></a><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif">Thank you again for your wonderful gift of support! Hope to connect with you soon! <br /></span></span><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br />Sincerely,<br /><br />Janelle Long<br />Executive Director<br />Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory<br /><br />Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory<br />P.O. Box 3006<br />Duluth, MN 55803-3006<br />Call: 218-428-6209<br />Contact: mail@hawkridge.org<br />Visit: www.hawkridge.org<br />501(c)3 Non-Profit Organization<br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Federal Tax ID 76-0746366</span></span></p></div>Hawk Ridge Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03346381697590328711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5922014117958172534.post-86256844599331752042023-11-23T08:13:00.000-06:002023-11-23T08:13:31.113-06:00Notes from the Ridge: Fall Migration Count 2023 (November 1 - November 15)<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The final chapters of the fall migration season continued with pages into November. Staring out along the Ridge at the bare treeline, the early days in August seem like a distant dream. The warblers and shorebirds that passed throughout September have likely reached Central and South America by now, finding quiet refuge in dense tropical forests or remote coastlines on the opposite hemisphere where days are gradually getting longer. The Broad-winged Hawks that passed along the Ridge months ago may now be settling into wintering territories throughout the Amazon River basin while the four Swainson's Hawks this season may already be hunting the open grasslands of Argentina. Despite the passage of time, the month of November still brings a multitude of migrant raptor species from northern latitudes that have still yet to make passage.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWv8FWrqBWW7kBqZztz3MMb3RzvmlyLrrURdidfE45dx7xjoX305FZb7kLBRPv9Mf0AWWALXU8QkKFG_S-2i32Nkd7_h0i0ehjzcrgdIeAfIxK3hffynpHKdgxzMZehrMx3RVR2257-wnAeAGqwPx-Ai1eg-fF3UbqWkJZtlXwkex4szhW3N63uNi4gZhr/s1556/HRBO_2NOV2023_GOEA.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="993" data-original-width="1556" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWv8FWrqBWW7kBqZztz3MMb3RzvmlyLrrURdidfE45dx7xjoX305FZb7kLBRPv9Mf0AWWALXU8QkKFG_S-2i32Nkd7_h0i0ehjzcrgdIeAfIxK3hffynpHKdgxzMZehrMx3RVR2257-wnAeAGqwPx-Ai1eg-fF3UbqWkJZtlXwkex4szhW3N63uNi4gZhr/w497-h317/HRBO_2NOV2023_GOEA.JPG" width="497" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Young GOLDEN EAGLE passes along the Ridge on November 2 (Photo: Jess Cosentino)<br /></td></tr></tbody></table> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The month began with southwest winds; however, a decent raptor flight unfolded. It was predominantly <b>RED-TAILED HAWKS (27) </b>and<b> BALD EAGLES (29) </b>with a few <b>ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS (2)</b> and <b>NORTHERN HARRIERS (3)</b> as well. A late <b>TURKEY VULTURE</b> slowly lingered down the shoreline - quite possibly the last migrant we will document this fall as it is getting quite late. A late migrant <b>ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER</b> flitted throughout the dense vegetation below the count platform in the early morning hours. An afternoon subadult/adult <b>GOLDEN EAGLE</b> slowly passed high along the
Ridge and provided excellent views for three minutes or more while
riding into the slight headwind. <b> </b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b> </b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>November 2</b> brought more southwest winds and the day saw a slow but gradual flight with decent movement of <b>RED-TAILED HAWKS (76)</b> and <b>BALD EAGLES (97)</b>, as well as several <b>GOLDEN EAGLES (6)</b> mixed in throughout the count. Several large groups of <b>SNOW BUNTINGS (54)</b> fluttered by overhead. A pair of <b>FOX SPARROWS</b> lingered at the count platform feeders throughout the day while good finch movement took to the skies with nice diversity, including: <b>RED CROSSBILLS (63)</b>, <b>WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS (15)</b>, <b>AMERICAN GOLDFINCH (169)</b>,<b> PINE SISKINS (540)</b>, and the first sizeable flock of migrant <b>COMMON REDPOLLS (16)</b> observed pushing south along the Ridge this fall. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The following day (<b>November 3</b>) brought northwest winds and a <i>great flight </i>took place! Taking a while to gain momentum throughout a slower morning, migrant raptors gradually began to pour in with the assisting winds. <b>RED-TAILED HAWKS (87)</b> and <b>BALD EAGLES (146) </b>were moving consistently throughout the late morning hours, while <b>GOLDEN EAGLES (25) </b>were popping up every hour throughout the morning. The day's Golden Eagle count pushed the season total over the 100-mark and the most exciting migrant of the 25 Goldens was one observed<i><b> wearing a transmitter on it's back while passing along the Ridge!</b> </i>The birds passed slowly at treetop-level and was close enough to observe the tracking unit while it was in flight down the Ridge. A non-raptor flight highlight on the day was a great <b>RED CROSSBILL (132)</b> flight. While Bald Eagles dominated the flight on the day, the bulk of the movement came in the final hours before sunset as a steady stream of migrant eagles pushed steadily for close to 90 minutes down the shore and along the Ridge (<i>with 74 migrants documented in the final two hours of daylight</i>).</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>November 4</b> brought more southwest winds and a decent raptor flight passed the Ridge while the following day shifted to less favorable east winds. Despite poor wind conditions, there was a morning push of movement of <b>BALD EAGLES (38)</b> down the shore with several <b>RED-TAILED HAWKS (14)</b> seeming to liftoff in the morning hours. Many Red-tails spent the day hunting and riding the winds along the Ridge as wind speeds picked up off of the lake and the afternoon flight never gained much momentum. A group of <b>TRUMPETER SWANS (7)</b> passed high along the Ridge, echoing out their thunderous calls. Poor conditions continued into <b>November 6</b> with heavy bands of rain moving north of the Ridge and remaining in that area throughout most of the day, shutting down any flight. <b>November 7</b> continued with more heavy east winds; however, surprisingly witnessed migrant raptors pushing south in spite of this. Many <b>BALD EAGLES (43)</b> were pushing down the shore fast with minimal movement along the Ridge. Southwinds continued into <b>November 8</b> with only a single migrant raptor passing.<br /><br />Finally, west winds returned on <b>November 9</b> coupled with a drop in temperature. The early morning west winds were funneling out towards the shore from sunrise onward; however, it took several hours for raptor momentum to pick up. The Ridge flight line was sparse with much of the movement taking place along the shore. A steady stream of eagle kettles (as many as 15 in a single group together!) pooled up along the shore and slowly worked their way south. <b>GOLDEN EAGLES (13)</b> began moving more by late morning with a steady trickle pushing down the west side of the Ridge low at treetop-level and moving quickly. A group of late migrant <b>AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS (16)</b> moved slowly down the shore in the early afternoon. A few adult female <b>NORTHERN HARRIERS (3)</b> passed throughout the day as well a nice pulse of <b>ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS (14)</b>. Raptor momentum carried into the mid-afternoon hours but abruptly shutoff within a couple hours before sunset. This was a great early November raptor flight to enjoy along the Ridge.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio-xPTu-qV-1Sdc5UlV0m18AoYrBMubfmzhm5jgqHwGcHpftLZ2h_g15phth_J7TgpzqIpeEvIGLQcgVuT-e3ewqG_bZThHdf5VJzx25Mo66sZFRd1foKZsrhyphenhyphen00M0TBY5RiQmKB2CiGcylbH1DLNv4ulYqoIj1uPNZdMqzd_H5tO3xm2XZkrF2IV8prYf/s915/HRBO_10NOV2023_GOEA.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="580" data-original-width="915" height="341" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio-xPTu-qV-1Sdc5UlV0m18AoYrBMubfmzhm5jgqHwGcHpftLZ2h_g15phth_J7TgpzqIpeEvIGLQcgVuT-e3ewqG_bZThHdf5VJzx25Mo66sZFRd1foKZsrhyphenhyphen00M0TBY5RiQmKB2CiGcylbH1DLNv4ulYqoIj1uPNZdMqzd_H5tO3xm2XZkrF2IV8prYf/w537-h341/HRBO_10NOV2023_GOEA.JPG" width="537" /></a></div><br /> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoG3-PUizGJBqg-viYAeUwV2WcYYTfV8EFlNT6tyRK8IDHY95dCQV0VBhyt6AQr1GBy7GVwBFjJqGkQnt3vhCPixBLz_AIIII4ucnQQ9dTPsRC4JikBKbvDQ3ATiM2fIx5OB8sTHnqqhUhfCaehOB-BF9LlDf-U7sNlFqGFh0qEwZs5uOm73Hio_ko0a-I/s1864/HRBO_10NOV2023_GOEA(2).JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1212" data-original-width="1864" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoG3-PUizGJBqg-viYAeUwV2WcYYTfV8EFlNT6tyRK8IDHY95dCQV0VBhyt6AQr1GBy7GVwBFjJqGkQnt3vhCPixBLz_AIIII4ucnQQ9dTPsRC4JikBKbvDQ3ATiM2fIx5OB8sTHnqqhUhfCaehOB-BF9LlDf-U7sNlFqGFh0qEwZs5uOm73Hio_ko0a-I/w535-h348/HRBO_10NOV2023_GOEA(2).JPG" width="535" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An adult (top) and young (bottom) GOLDEN EAGLE pass along the Ridgeon November 10 (Photos: Jess Cosentino)<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The following day (<b>November 10</b>) continued with another great eagle and buteo flight thanks to more northwest/west winds! It took until late morning to pick up and then migrant raptors began collecting on the shore as the winds pushed them out, and this continued for the next 4-5 consistently. Mixed-species kettles of <b>BALD EAGLES (111)</b>, <b>RED-TAILED HAWKS (103)</b>, <b>ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS (30)</b>, and <b>GOLDEN EAGLES (23)</b> were pouring throughout the cold grey skies. To add to the excitement, another late <b>AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN</b> mixed in with the migrant raptors pushing down the shore as the northwest winds funneled birds southward!<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Both <b>November 11 and 12</b> shifted to south winds and experienced slower raptor flights in the wake of the fantastic one on the 10th. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuFjKvDzQu_jCj0ybvmX-k4Ae25rRq31BOeXm66HK2j8dujurYzbQXJTQ4LoOpFI9PqGzcaAimGQOSmSpkUb3tGVjZZIBWd4YggjvMNu5TVOIQNySZsvYOhJdVlTRDjAIgVFH5J-czdmss6zeZZUA1GMICGrbfKiHix6V-U9NFWCl_hqsioPOXrWyqkclT/s4455/HRBO_13NOV2023_GOEABAEA.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2554" data-original-width="4455" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuFjKvDzQu_jCj0ybvmX-k4Ae25rRq31BOeXm66HK2j8dujurYzbQXJTQ4LoOpFI9PqGzcaAimGQOSmSpkUb3tGVjZZIBWd4YggjvMNu5TVOIQNySZsvYOhJdVlTRDjAIgVFH5J-czdmss6zeZZUA1GMICGrbfKiHix6V-U9NFWCl_hqsioPOXrWyqkclT/w511-h292/HRBO_13NOV2023_GOEABAEA.JPG" width="511" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An adult BALD EAGLE (left) and GOLDEN EAGLE (right) spiral directly above the count platform on November 13 (Photo: Jess Cosentino)<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">However, <b>November 13</b> shifted abruptly back to west/northwest and a massive mid-November flight unfolded. The best <b>GOLDEN EAGLE (35)</b> flight of the season passed throughout the count, tilting the season total over the 200-mark. Strong west winds were churning down onto the Ridge in the first hours of daylight which had many Goldens moving early (a total of 20 migrant Goldens being documented before noon!). Additionally, great<b> BALD EAGLE (120)</b>, <b>RED-TAILED (189)</b> and <b>ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK (30)</b> flights passed along the Ridge and shore. For hours, it was just constant waves of all four species in large kettles slowly pushing southward down the shore. At times <u><i>there were kettles of more than 25 Red-tailed Hawks</i> </u>spiraling over the shoreline as eagles and other raptors mixed in as well. The flight line along the Ridge was also productive as many migrant raptors offered some incredible views while making passage directly overhead while others passed at eye-level. This was a classic big mid-November day on the Ridge with excellent diversity, great looks, and an overall fantastic count by the time the sun began to set on Duluth.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV88xNc-vSsI3zG-4QkWKBN0ojsMy3USxYFiULN5hvydCdUzjlFa9-y8geO3cwMEgqVX3VXHcXigbdlqZicFTAmWylDLTmJd1rB-gFxLD9c2DxiAi4OVtuW63NuoLG4HdpCBJ3kGnjL4YUprxiHDnWBK_qDGrL2YpJxPRynCcZPWDIDelzrhmVHGB8AeRp/s1281/HRBO_13NOV2023_RLHADARK.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="859" data-original-width="1281" height="331" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV88xNc-vSsI3zG-4QkWKBN0ojsMy3USxYFiULN5hvydCdUzjlFa9-y8geO3cwMEgqVX3VXHcXigbdlqZicFTAmWylDLTmJd1rB-gFxLD9c2DxiAi4OVtuW63NuoLG4HdpCBJ3kGnjL4YUprxiHDnWBK_qDGrL2YpJxPRynCcZPWDIDelzrhmVHGB8AeRp/w492-h331/HRBO_13NOV2023_RLHADARK.JPG" width="492" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dark-morph ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK passes along the Ridge on November 13 (Photo: Jess Cosentino)<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><b> </b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>November 14</b> shifted back to less favorable wind conditions and unseasonably warmer temperatures, almost reaching 60 F by afternoon. However, a decent push of late morning migrant raptors did make passage but tapered off dramatically into the afternoon as blustery southwest winds (gusts up to 30 mph) created a formidale headwind. Southwest winds persisted into <b>November 15</b> with a few more <b>RED-TAILED HAWKS (22)</b>, <b>BALD EAGLES (24)</b>, and <b>GOLDEN EAGLES (5)</b> - adding to what has shaped up to be a banner November and overall great season for Goldens!<br /><br />The final pages of fall migration lay ahead before the blanket of winter envelopes the northern hemisphere. The second half of November offers only brief windows of diurnal daylight which each passing square on the calendar; however, with favorable conditions there can be fantastic late season raptor flights down the Ridge before the month is over. The air can feel raw and winds unforgiving to those standing on the overlook below, yet these can provide some of the best conditions to observe late season raptor migration here.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Follow the HRBO count daily here at: https://www.trektellen.org</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Jess Cosentino</span></div><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Lead Counter</b></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><br />Jess Cosentinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04916069395367500491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5922014117958172534.post-6511750754712616522023-11-09T21:13:00.002-06:002023-11-10T07:14:07.981-06:00Notes from the Ridge: Fall Migration Count 2023 (October 21 - October 31)<p><span style="font-size: medium;">The bookend to October came with the typical drop in temperatures, blustery north winds that cleaned the remaining foliage from the blanket of trees, and waves of late season migrant raptors. <b>October 21</b> brought rain showers and minimal raptor movement (ten raptors total throughout the entire count period); however, a late migrant <b>OSPREY</b> was a somewhat unexpected surprise as the soggy, M-shaped fish hawk came spiraling down the shore en route to more southerly climates for the winter season. South winds persisted for a second day (<b>October 22</b>) and the morning was very slow with practically no raptor movement; however, a nice push of <b>ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS</b> later in the day added some excitement. Six birds cut in from the shore together, forming a small kettle before circling around the backside of the summit. A <b>ROSS'S GOOSE</b> mixed in with a large group of <b>SNOW GEESE</b> heading down the shore while four late migrant <b>SANDHILL CANES </b>passed along a similar route later into the day. A large group of 18 late migrant <b>AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS</b> slowly meandered down the shoreline late in the day, seemingly in no rush to beat the sunset and ultimately deciding to roost on the water in front the UMD Limnology building in the final hours of daylight. It is still a long journey south for these pelicans before they reach the Gulf of Mexico and beyond, but for today, a brief respite on Lake Superior offered some rest before resuming their adventure south.</span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiASezo_VVpfwj_VrxGgKZ21seWOjydm2_MfvJ_A1C71DDWFyOM2oKFpCXIXNlovXvZGn7cRPxZWHg4uRFLthtWA5wzDhJfGVBO5hWCJj329pz_ZDPLKRRZo2W4GqXZK8_KxgDncQR10VOE-QEhvO74UTkC06US3Ys8tLAWUj25ezFshluRoYz_huUoggNk/s3289/HRBO_24OCT2023_GOEA(1).JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1010" data-original-width="3289" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiASezo_VVpfwj_VrxGgKZ21seWOjydm2_MfvJ_A1C71DDWFyOM2oKFpCXIXNlovXvZGn7cRPxZWHg4uRFLthtWA5wzDhJfGVBO5hWCJj329pz_ZDPLKRRZo2W4GqXZK8_KxgDncQR10VOE-QEhvO74UTkC06US3Ys8tLAWUj25ezFshluRoYz_huUoggNk/w654-h200/HRBO_24OCT2023_GOEA(1).JPG" width="654" /></a></div></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div>GOLDEN EAGLE passed high along the Ridge on October 24 (Photo: Jess Cosentino)</div><div> </div></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div><br /></div></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div><br /></div></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div><br /></div></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">South winds persisted for another day, while <b>October 24</b> shifted to northeast winds and promoted some raptor movement that had been noticeably absent for a few days. Three <b>GOLDEN EAGLES</b> appeared to the north of the Ridge around 3 PM and took the better part of 20 minutes to travel together down the shore before cutting inland and crossing directly over the summit. All three eagles (one adult and two young birds) offered incredible, lengthy views to those along the overlook before continuing southward down the Ridge. A late migrant <b>PEREGRINE FALCON </b>pushed down the shore, adding to what has shaped up to the best October species total for this species ever recorded at HRBO and one of the best season totals ever recorded. Additionally, a late migrant <b>AMERICAN KESTREL</b> made passage - another migrant kestrel in what is the highest HRBO species season total since 2005.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>October 25</b> shifted to light east winds, which kept migrant raptors moving slowly once again. Another migrant <b>BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKER</b> passed directly over the count platform early in the morning while heading south over the treeline, while a good late October pulse of <b>RUSTY BLACKBIRDS (695)</b>, <b>COMMON GRACKLES (330)</b>, and <b>RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS (78)</b> in large mixed species flocks pushed southward all afternoon through the dreary weather. The following day <b>(October 26)</b> brought sloppy conditions and more strong east winds following light morning showers. Surprisingly, a pulse of <b>RED-TAILED HAWKS (13)</b> and <b>BALD EAGLES (16)</b> still pushed onward. Soggy Red-tails with bulging full crops spent the afternoon hunting the Ridge and lingering about in the poor wind conditions, possibly waiting for the next wave of northwest winds to continue on longer stretches of their migrations south. It was promising to see this much Red-tail movement in the face of poor wind conditions, which may mean birds were anxious to get moving south and this upcoming weekend's drop in temperatures coupled with north winds could be the recipe to push them out from more northern latitudes as well.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>October 27:</b> <i>Northwest winds finally!</i> Following a lengthy stretch of less-than-favorable wind conditions, the winds shifted and came blustering hard and raw from the north. One of the first birds of the morning included a low <b>AMERICAN GOSHAWK</b> popping up over the summit and gliding directly over the count platform before continuing quickly down the Ridge, passing close enough to catch the white flash of an eyebrow without the aid of any optics! The day also ushered in a huge <b>RED-TAILED HAWK (365</b>) flight. As the waves of large buteos passed quickly over the Ridge and down the shore, an adult <b>RED-SHOULDERED HAWK</b> quickly buzzed the west side while being harassed by ravens. <i>This was the first Red-shouldered of the fall and the 18th raptor species documented</i>! The day also brought good <b>GOLDEN EAGLE (9) </b>movement as well as flocks of northbound <b>PINE SISKINS (290)</b> - a trend we continue to see play out this fall as the small finches move north along the shore. The blustery north winds have successfully cleaned the last of the fall foliage from the Ridge and adjacent valley between the shore and the brilliant colors of autumn are now a not-so-distant memory until next year and its own migration.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWabYKQwcE511VLtpUQFVIyb8qcZEqQX4owjHSaeA_FbEVbjNm07CpDFKmH6imx-XOfll89y1uAQNqsArZf2e-7GKI8nQ5t3-DzyQ7JBt9GaTqi6vAoMNhPE9xxMOyQYtabczrMyTBV5tkfkkDhb-EWdsO9_tfKYPItriZkD-Q0I8MWBLm85oHJx5mwhi2/s941/HRBO_27OCT2023_GOEA.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="941" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWabYKQwcE511VLtpUQFVIyb8qcZEqQX4owjHSaeA_FbEVbjNm07CpDFKmH6imx-XOfll89y1uAQNqsArZf2e-7GKI8nQ5t3-DzyQ7JBt9GaTqi6vAoMNhPE9xxMOyQYtabczrMyTBV5tkfkkDhb-EWdsO9_tfKYPItriZkD-Q0I8MWBLm85oHJx5mwhi2/w445-h316/HRBO_27OCT2023_GOEA.JPG" width="445" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">GOLDEN EAGLE passes along the Ridge on October 27 (Photo: Jess Cosentino)<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">A cold front pushed through overnight and <b>October 28</b> woke up to a light dusting of snow on the Ridge. Temperatures plummeted and winds continued to blow from the northwest: <i>A perfect combination for a good late October flight!</i></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The day brought another great <b>RED-TAILED HAWK (573)</b> flight<i>, </i>which was<i> </i>the best on the season-to-date and included <i>SEVEN DARK-MORPHS! </i>Additionally, great <b>BALD (129) and GOLDEN EAGLE (21) </b>movement followed in the wake of the favorable winds. At times, up to three Goldens were spiraling together in a mixed species kettle with Balds and several Red-tails. Raptor movement remained consistent down the shore and along the Ridge for hours upon hours throughout the entire day. The late day winds pushed flight lines far to both the west and east of the Ridge; however, migrant Red-tails and Balds were pushing south into the final hours of daylight. The day also brought a good pulse of late season <b>AMERICAN ROBINS (442)</b> and <b>RUSTY BLACKBIRDS (111) </b>- surely some of the final migrants clearing out from the northern forests, while a late migrant <b>AMERICAN PIPIT </b>called out briefly while passing overhead. Overall, this ended up being a great final weekend of hawkwatching along the Ridge while the skies whisper farewell to October.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGxpx-HaDYihoD7BH-AUGJgrgKH3SA_elSyT_WoQyx6BXYuF2l7rhevAeoFh53ViLz3EnUsevyswpdQSIBTMlAJlXpS3MciIZq_4d4770AW9mF_krO2K0MddOmmApX4VOfbqpRLi-eO6FHSt0KYSvVQZ7n3ATJiNGR5APLzy1O6_48BzdD1m7mYT1oILKF/s1754/HRBO_28OCT2023_RTHADARK.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1084" data-original-width="1754" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGxpx-HaDYihoD7BH-AUGJgrgKH3SA_elSyT_WoQyx6BXYuF2l7rhevAeoFh53ViLz3EnUsevyswpdQSIBTMlAJlXpS3MciIZq_4d4770AW9mF_krO2K0MddOmmApX4VOfbqpRLi-eO6FHSt0KYSvVQZ7n3ATJiNGR5APLzy1O6_48BzdD1m7mYT1oILKF/w485-h300/HRBO_28OCT2023_RTHADARK.JPG" width="485" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DARK-MORPH RED-TAILED HAWK circles above the Ridge on October 28 - One of seven dark-morphs seen throughout the day (Photo: Jess Cosentino)<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij5eOnO2otwce4uLoZ4F_cFm8B7PVUf_MoqxenD2k1c3QeiYv_RU2UHTut39Vv9ZIfXb7sDSJFjengiZrTHarO7pTo0HF9rjicuz9kbn38eZJ5dFe8vUb6c12bMU0raq10Zo3qHrIl_jfmykWgfUjdKFA4WnKqtQvOxh1BMqJvkZzbUNl3bmUZ15nsyXAg/s3121/HRBO_28OCT2023_NSHR.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2570" data-original-width="3121" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij5eOnO2otwce4uLoZ4F_cFm8B7PVUf_MoqxenD2k1c3QeiYv_RU2UHTut39Vv9ZIfXb7sDSJFjengiZrTHarO7pTo0HF9rjicuz9kbn38eZJ5dFe8vUb6c12bMU0raq10Zo3qHrIl_jfmykWgfUjdKFA4WnKqtQvOxh1BMqJvkZzbUNl3bmUZ15nsyXAg/w453-h374/HRBO_28OCT2023_NSHR.JPG" width="453" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">NORTHERN SHRIKE perches in front of the count platform on October 28 (Photo: Jess Cosentino)<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /> <br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmh0QhkgY9uhXUv4hujgrVg5vmbUtv4-HZykkI3HLF3errX-Knkl5AUve-agvUqRtTc-NOu4jJ5FSSCWlj5y1Kmb_TILyamRq3HaJ-Kay8HDhGlFHbv_zS3g72VTkq2pJK_kxptKauH2vQ3Ru7Hgtj0mxVxHS0TKYoy5iJhyO-OvH9e1SniJgWl8ujWciy/s1960/HRBO_28OCT2023_GOEA.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1311" data-original-width="1960" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmh0QhkgY9uhXUv4hujgrVg5vmbUtv4-HZykkI3HLF3errX-Knkl5AUve-agvUqRtTc-NOu4jJ5FSSCWlj5y1Kmb_TILyamRq3HaJ-Kay8HDhGlFHbv_zS3g72VTkq2pJK_kxptKauH2vQ3Ru7Hgtj0mxVxHS0TKYoy5iJhyO-OvH9e1SniJgWl8ujWciy/w482-h322/HRBO_28OCT2023_GOEA.JPG" width="482" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">GOLDEN EAGLE passes high along the Ridge on October 28 (Photo: Jess Cosentino)<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"> <b>October 29</b> had long-time Hawk Ridge counter, Frank Nicoletti, join the count for the day which is always a welcomed addition. In the first hours following sunrise, the 5th <b>SHORT-EARED OWL</b> on the season passed distant along the shore while fantastic <b>RED CROSSBILL (128) </b>movement pulsed down the Ridge throughout the morning hours, chirping their <i>jip-jip-jip</i> calls overhead. A mix of <b>PINE SISKINS (125)</b>, <b>AMERICAN GOLDFINCH (51)</b>, <b>COMMON REDPOLLS (3)</b>, <b>PURPLE FINCH (21)</b>, and <b>WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS (11)</b> added to the migrant finch diversity on the morning. Raptor movement took until late morning to pick up and birds were moving quite high from the beginning, and would remain throughout most of the day. The momentum of flight lines was slow as birds took their time patiently working down the shore, at times reaching the Ridge and drifting lazily to the west or directly overhead. <b>RED-TAILED HAWK (367)</b> movement was consistent throughout the entire count period, as birds pooled up in kettles of 20-30 at<i> times mixing with </i><b>BALD EAGLES (134)</b><i> and migrant </i><b>COMMON RAVENS (35)</b><b>!</b><i><b> </b></i>This was the second consecutive triple-digit Bald Eagle and third consecutive triple-digit Red-tailed Hawk day which had made for fun counting following a stretch of slower days. The day also brought more great <b>GOLDEN EAGLE (14)</b> movement south, with several birds popping up over the summit and passing directly above the overlook slowly in succession while providing excellent views to all below. Goldens continued to fly late into the final hours of daylight - <i>the golden hour</i> - as the air began to crisp and the angle of sunlight lowers with each fading minute. As the Goldens move south into the cold sunset and more snow is forecaste for tonight, the chill of winter lingers close. While we gently say goodbye to autumn with another sunset, there is nothing quite like hawkwatching during that ephemeral golden hour with the low orange light gleaming off the hackles as the northern eagles slowly push south in the final moments of the day.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8hyphenhyphenIVodahoOyQoKRRJjGjz5VnVk5GYSXJ3UxlWiI4fmC91RKvklx8XmoPkJM6wdULLGvEwWdfIT3H1c_SgjC4d_30RdmswEXEK6w-um1yxVGqYBs-v2D5YRqPUU_15Q3QBBfDmvfoRbItgHDusN45NeZSetxjPJa6w9_kwQ8s3GreM5lxWwEUQrJy3M_5/s1280/35F97BE1-CB62-404D-8A4C-042C2AB7C41A.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1100" data-original-width="1280" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8hyphenhyphenIVodahoOyQoKRRJjGjz5VnVk5GYSXJ3UxlWiI4fmC91RKvklx8XmoPkJM6wdULLGvEwWdfIT3H1c_SgjC4d_30RdmswEXEK6w-um1yxVGqYBs-v2D5YRqPUU_15Q3QBBfDmvfoRbItgHDusN45NeZSetxjPJa6w9_kwQ8s3GreM5lxWwEUQrJy3M_5/w531-h456/35F97BE1-CB62-404D-8A4C-042C2AB7C41A.jpeg" width="531" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HRBO Lead counter Jess Cosentino (left) with Frank Nicoletti (right) on the count platform on October 29 (Photo: Megan Hanson)</td></tr></tbody></table></span><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"> More west wind and cold temperatures (high 31 F) continued into the penultimate day of the month <b>(October 30) </b>and the frosty start to the morning had both <b>RED-TAILED HAWKS (266)</b> and <b>BALD EAGLES (106)</b> moving in the first hours of daylight. The bulk of the raptor movement seemed to occur in the hours before noon before dropping off precipitously in the afternoon hours. <i><b>The day count pushed the RED-TAILED HAWK season total over the 4000-mark.</b></i> A late migrant <b>ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER</b> flitted around the count platform during the morning hours and the first migrant <b>PINE GROSBEAK</b> of the fall passed over the summit late in the morning with deep undulating flight and ethereal singing while passing. The passage of the first Pine Grosbeaks along the Ridge is another sure sign that we have entered in the late season of migration.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHsmxXGRBVQ2gQDQky-f2c3O457XMZ2_eglcckuD7MfJgK8a2pEpzrqWs_XOG2Lir3HqrdI3qevzAvgxjJdb67JhozKkEfrCNr-v9I9oWyYHx8k1xdZm2VJsWLnfBG513wNntJHxiG_4EhXPOgclXorjJoHiyDvlpns8DoeWJ1zS0WH7Dv9_spXS69B2qd/s3558/HRBO_29OCT2023_RTHA.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3246" data-original-width="3558" height="496" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHsmxXGRBVQ2gQDQky-f2c3O457XMZ2_eglcckuD7MfJgK8a2pEpzrqWs_XOG2Lir3HqrdI3qevzAvgxjJdb67JhozKkEfrCNr-v9I9oWyYHx8k1xdZm2VJsWLnfBG513wNntJHxiG_4EhXPOgclXorjJoHiyDvlpns8DoeWJ1zS0WH7Dv9_spXS69B2qd/w543-h496/HRBO_29OCT2023_RTHA.JPG" width="543" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">RED-TAILED HAWK passing along the Ridge on October 29 (Photo: Jess Cosentino)<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The final day of the month (<b>October 31</b>) brought a mix of clever Halloween costumes along the overlook, frigid north winds, and migrant raptors. A crisp start to another cold morning delivered a fresh blanket of snow as a forceful northwest wind wasted no time funneling down onto the Ridge. <b>RED-TAILED HAWKS (351) </b>were already on the move south in the first hour following sunrise, which is often a good harbinger of a larger flight yet to come down the shore. Raptor momentum picked up and in the first hours after sunrise, a brief scan across the Ridge yielded a mix of several <b>GOLDEN EAGLES (15)</b> and <b>ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS (31)</b> overhead while an <b>AMERICAN GOSHAWK (9)</b> popped up over the summit, as a medley of <b>RED-TAILED HAWKS </b>of varying phenotypes and subspecies mixed in. A pair of late migrant <b>TURKEY VULTURES </b>pushed south as well, as this October continues to be the highest October total ever recorded for this species. The day ended with being the best <b>ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK</b> flight of the season-to-date, which also pushed the species season total over the 100-mark. A late migrant <b>EASTERN PHOEBE</b> quickly pushed down the Ridge, which added a brief moment of excitement. The flight continued well into the final hour before sunset, with lines of <b>BALD EAGLES </b>and <b>RED-TAILED HAWKS </b>remaining very high. Late day flights where birds remain incredibly high is always impressive to witness from below, as the birds push on with every sliver of daylight. Eventually, many Red-tails began to drop down from their high altitudes to roost nearby for the night. Falling from the sky into the darkened forests below and along the Ridge to wait for the next sunrise. One of the final birds of the evening being a non-adult <b>GOLDEN EAGLE</b> passing slowly just above treetop-level at 5:30 PM along the west side of the Ridge. Deep wing beats pushing the large bird just feet from the canopy while disappearing over the southern horizon into the orange and yellow wash of the setting set was absolutely beautiful. These are ephemeral moments on the Ridge that linger with you long after the final migrant bird has made passage south. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Fall migration continues to unfold, while the final chapters lay ahead. Daylight is slowly replaced by darkness, warmth for cold. The northern forests are quiet now and most the migrant raptors counted from Hawk Ridge have reached distant latitudes to the south by now. Crossing farm fields and open grasslands, following ancient coastlines and mountain ranges. Their moments in passing along the Ridge were just a brief snapshot of a greater adventure, yet in many ways the birds still feel connected to this place even after they are gone.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Follow the HRBO count daily here at: https://www.trektellen.org</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Jess Cosentino</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Lead Counter</b></span></div>Jess Cosentinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04916069395367500491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5922014117958172534.post-10144090839845219392023-10-30T19:22:00.008-05:002023-11-09T22:28:42.888-06:00Notes from the Ridge: Fall Migration Count 2023 (October 11 - October 20)<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The arc of the sun continues to get lower with each passing October day as migrant raptors pour south from northern forests and Arctic tundra while passing <b>Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory (HRBO) </b>on their long journeys<b>. October 11</b> sustained the consistent strong momentum of raptor movement as north winds pushed <b>RED-TAILED HAWKS</b> south with a <i>7th consecutive day this month with a triple-digit day count (271) for this species. </i>There was also good triple-digit <b>SHARP-SHINNED HAWK (238)</b> movement; however, this species should gradually be slowing down in overall numbers later into the month. The highest <b>AMERICAN GOSHAWK (6) </b>day count on the season also passed throughout the day while providing excellent looks passing along the Ridge. At one time, a single goshawk circled together with a red-tail which also provided a wonderful opportunity to side-by-side comparison in the field. <b>TURKEY VULTURES (80) </b>continued to push south as October continues to be the <i>highest HRBO monthly total ever recorded for this species</i>, as well as another four migrant <b>PEREGRINE FALCONS</b> which have also experienced a record-breaking October total. The first <b>SNOW BUNTINGS</b> of the fall passed along the Ridge throughout the day as well, resonating their rattle from the sky as they passed over orange-and-red colored forests - a stark contrast from their high latitude, Arctic breeding grounds.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0trER2S-GnxEDV9KJy2IfLtLc-LoSoYI21eRdVVwe-PuqsGnHvzDQKpdqsO1ZTEYLQOmSXrypdJht-kbtyFpdIfSfaayFyBSrXIjBmDE_lyEfJjpS7f2A3xrYiJ615wl0JdRgNWTR1yaDTfXd7A_sIhyKxoDBE2sZwZtPy2HLTLigfcFcGZa0J7AwqIna/s3623/HRBO_15OCT2023_BWHA.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2413" data-original-width="3623" height="353" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0trER2S-GnxEDV9KJy2IfLtLc-LoSoYI21eRdVVwe-PuqsGnHvzDQKpdqsO1ZTEYLQOmSXrypdJht-kbtyFpdIfSfaayFyBSrXIjBmDE_lyEfJjpS7f2A3xrYiJ615wl0JdRgNWTR1yaDTfXd7A_sIhyKxoDBE2sZwZtPy2HLTLigfcFcGZa0J7AwqIna/w530-h353/HRBO_15OCT2023_BWHA.JPG" width="530" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A late migrant BROAD-WINGED HAWK passes along the Ridge on October 15. This fall has recorded the highest October total for this species ever at HRBO (Photo: Jess Cosentino)<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>October 12 </b>brought northeast winds with an early light drizzle that persisted on-and-off for several hours. With minimal raptor movement throughout the count, a single juvenile <b>AMERICAN GOSHAWK</b> passing along the Ridge providing excellent, sustained views made for a highlight on the day. While raptor movement was stale, <b>AMERICAN CROWS (1,159)</b> were pushing down the shore en masse into the cold precipitation and grey pale sky. The following day (<b>October 13</b>) continued with persistent east winds; however, they blustered off the lake with a gale force (<i>measuring 41 mph gusts at times!</i>). Incredibly, a handful of migrants still pushed south along the Ridge and shore, including a trio of early migrant <b>ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS. </b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b></b></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk0LeGlvCx1NLhVBN31AUbuiK7NnA4t5yRxKouoLLURl_r3DwnJMJ67kijlr2jVkOTDO9IddvIuLSQkirhd0jynRIscOXPLMn5MJS0l8X7WH86sUEy5VQR8KGsG10cubG19iJjA0LXtgMd3Lc9guaiQQ0m5CchXO9pfFD3pZqgEUnb9imLiBVfNVB7szFs/s2347/HRBO_20OCT2023_RLHA.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1439" data-original-width="2347" height="323" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk0LeGlvCx1NLhVBN31AUbuiK7NnA4t5yRxKouoLLURl_r3DwnJMJ67kijlr2jVkOTDO9IddvIuLSQkirhd0jynRIscOXPLMn5MJS0l8X7WH86sUEy5VQR8KGsG10cubG19iJjA0LXtgMd3Lc9guaiQQ0m5CchXO9pfFD3pZqgEUnb9imLiBVfNVB7szFs/w527-h323/HRBO_20OCT2023_RLHA.JPG" width="527" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Light-morph ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK passing the ridge on October 20 (Photo: Jess Cosentino)<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>October 14</b> continued with more less-than-favorable northeast winds and a robust raptor flight never materialized; however, there was still good movement across nine raptor species. Another triple-digit <b>SHARP-SHINNED HAWK (133)</b> day count which could be the last for the season as<b> </b>it is getting late for them (<i>The season total for this species is already well-above the long-term ten-year average</i>). A nice push of <b>RED-TAILED HAWKS (89) </b>being slightly below the more recent 200<b>+ </b>bird day counts in the first week of the month; however, that may have been the first push of migrant red-tails with more to follow later into October. With northwest winds forecast<b> </b>for next week, there is promise for more large red-tail movements. Non-raptor highlights included a large push of <b>COMMON GRACKLES (1,412)</b> down the shore and along the Ridge all day, three more early migrant <b>BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS </b>down the west side of the Ridge, and a jubilant flock of <b>WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS (12)</b> passing right over the count platform while chattering away above. The day on the Ridge also enjoyed a solar eclipse as migrant raptors buzzed across the cerulean sky backdrop as it unfolded above. The count staff was fortunate to be able to view some of the solar phenomena thanks to long-time HRBO volunteer <b>Gail Marsman</b> bringing up a special pair of viewing glasses (<i>Gail has been volunteering annually at Hawk Ridge since 1972!</i>) <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">More favorable north winds blew in on <b>October 15</b> with a slow-paced <b>RED-TAILED HAWK flight (113)</b> pushing into triple-digits once again. Despite assisting winds, there was an overall slower migration pace. The first <b>TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIRE</b> of the fall pushed down the Ridge and small groups of <b>EASTERN BLUEBIRDS (56) </b>fluttered southward while echoing their sad, melodic calls. A second wheezy <b>BOREAL CHICKADEE</b> navigated through the dense treeline as a single adult <b>GOLDEN EAGLE</b> passed distantly on the lake around noon. Late <b>BROAD-WINGED HAWK (2) </b>migrants continued to trickle southward. A surprise included two <b>EASTERN RED BATS</b> flying around during the daylight period while allowing for excellent sustained views from observers on the platform, as well as seven late migrant <b>GREEN DARNER</b> dragonflies. The impending temperature drops in the days ahead will likely impact how frequently any more dragonflies are observed (if at all) from the Ridge. The highlight on the day included a pair of <b>AMERICAN GOSHAWKS </b>pushing down the Ridge after rising low of the summit ledges and passing the overlook while being washed in the late-day golden light. The two large accipiters passed in almost immediate succession and offered really nice views to those below as the final light of the day beautifully highlighted the rich plumage on both birds.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">North winds continued into <b>October 16</b> as the first <b>COMMON REDPOLL</b> of the season passed overhead while uttering a quick <i>cht-cht-cht-cht</i> and a second <b>TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIRE</b> on the season hung around the overlook for an hour or so while taking a brief respite on its wayward migration south (a species more typically associated with the western half of the continent). An interesting late season <b>CHIMNEY SWIFT</b> hovered to the north of the Ridge for a while, puzzling those below. There was good <b>BALD EAGLE (31)</b> and <b>RED-TAILED HAWK (43)</b> movement all day into the last hours of light just before sunset, which is always a welcomed opportunity to stand in the final moments of the sun's descent below the horizon while watching migrating raptors along the Ridge.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIjgt303m3O681HalmDjMxA3w-BRImpKtTI5uoV9TtgznlayTm2FJVZqYQ3_ts3l0LjISyocSYcSTKgFX1pQi7i80FxRAvSr0geQvYxgEvOSFwFSdYdD_Wx_PRGPk-9Jcn5gqR9Gf3n-_7OK8DRoNv8Dxoj98rwxVdO3EH7aPQi8_133S_M5q1YxUy1bcG/s2585/HRBO_17OCT2023_RTHA.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1382" data-original-width="2585" height="321" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIjgt303m3O681HalmDjMxA3w-BRImpKtTI5uoV9TtgznlayTm2FJVZqYQ3_ts3l0LjISyocSYcSTKgFX1pQi7i80FxRAvSr0geQvYxgEvOSFwFSdYdD_Wx_PRGPk-9Jcn5gqR9Gf3n-_7OK8DRoNv8Dxoj98rwxVdO3EH7aPQi8_133S_M5q1YxUy1bcG/w601-h321/HRBO_17OCT2023_RTHA.JPG" width="601" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of several RED-TAILED HAWKS passing the Ridge on October 17 (Photo: Jess Cosentino)<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>October 17</b> shifted back to southwest winds and a strong raptor flight never seemed to open up but a light trickle of migrant raptors passed throughout the morning into the early afternoon; however, abruptly shutoff by mid-afternoon. The day also presented a noticeable absence of non-raptor migrants: <i>Few finches, geese, cranes, etc</i>. The southwest winds kept birds low as they took their time to make southern progress, which translates to great viewing opportunities from the overlook. There was a beautiful assortment of <b>RED-TAILED HAWK (86)</b> plumage phenotypes on the move throughout the day, accompanied by more late-season <b>SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS (63)</b>. A late migrant <b>OSPREY</b> spiraled down the west side of the Ridge - likely finding some motivation to move following a recent frost. Another late raptor migrant <b>PEREGRINE FALCON</b> followed the contours the lake shore while a below-eye-level <b>AMERICAN GOSHAWK</b> passed directly over the water tower on the shoreline and provided great looks from the overlook. Viewing migrant raptors from above is a unique opportunity enjoyed on Hawk Ridge under certain wind conditions and a very interesting perspective to observe them in the field! </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The next morning (<b>October 18</b>) brought the fourth <b>SHORT-EARED OWL</b> on the season directly above the overlook throughout a light drizzle morning. With few other migrant raptors, this was a highlight. <b>October 19</b> offered light north winds, yet a flight never picked up. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUucX1HC5_mbqfShHfI7Bw_PORjUYe__xEEXYVfFD2mA5vIICgoC_1HdGHZcIycFHZ0t8pjAp1XMxjtjpq-IpOL4JuORWHHuFwlUZl9P7PYTXtBV0xWiftzNF7P1R6NwjysmGs9LcdlSm3-kTyUxRECNrT6FCzKYHLsDtX9hjLkaYM_xKKBMwDok5mnhNo/s2037/HRBO_17OCT2023_SEOW.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1278" data-original-width="2037" height="357" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUucX1HC5_mbqfShHfI7Bw_PORjUYe__xEEXYVfFD2mA5vIICgoC_1HdGHZcIycFHZ0t8pjAp1XMxjtjpq-IpOL4JuORWHHuFwlUZl9P7PYTXtBV0xWiftzNF7P1R6NwjysmGs9LcdlSm3-kTyUxRECNrT6FCzKYHLsDtX9hjLkaYM_xKKBMwDok5mnhNo/w568-h357/HRBO_17OCT2023_SEOW.JPG" width="568" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The fourth SHORT-EARED OWL of the fall passing directly above the count platform on October 17 (Photo: Jess Cosentino)<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>October 20</b> offered variable light winds, mostly from the southeast, which seemed to keep birds low and directly on the Ridge. An early morning <b>BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKER </b>shouted a loud <i>KEK!</i> while passing in front of the count platform and then scurried up a nearby perch - t<i>he 12th migrant on the season</i>! There was consistent movement and great viewing opportunities from the overlook throughout the day. <b>RED-TAILED HAWK (155)</b> were moving throughout the entire count period (including <b>THREE DARK-MORPHS</b>); however, seemed to pick up momentum a bit towards the afternoon. A late migrant juvenile <b>BROAD-WINGED HAWK</b> slowly circled overhead along the Ridge while also displaying a wing/feather injury of some kind - no doubt a possible contribution to its late passage south. Several closer passes of <b>AMERICAN GOSHAWK (4)</b> kept visitors to the overlook pleased to enjoy such great views from below. Two <b>GOLDEN EAGLES</b> circled together north of the Ridge for a while, sharing a kettle with several juvenile <b>BALD EAGLES</b> - serving as an opportunity for side-by-side comparison of the very similar species while in the field. The best <b>ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK</b> day count<b> (14)</b> on the season so far passed throughout the day, while <b>PURPLE FINCH (113)</b>, <b>COMMON REDPOLL (3)</b>, <b>RED CROSSBILL (14)</b>, <b>WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL (3)</b>, <b>AMERICAN GOLDFINCH (4)</b>,<b> PINE SISKIN (496)</b>, and <b>SNOW BUNTING (10)</b> were all on the move (<i>Most <b>PINE SISKIN </b>movement has been consistently going north along the lake shore this fall</i>). </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The day was a great start to the weekend on the Ridge in the beginning of late October: A mosaic of golden trees, golden sun hours, coupled with peak <b>GOLDEN EAGLE</b> migration unfolding above. There are still weeks ahead to visit Hawk Ridge and experience the spectacle of bird migration, with plenty of Golden Eagles, Red-tailed and Rough-legged Hawks left to pass from northern latitudes before the HRBO count ends on November 30.<br /></span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWRP3a1HXx2jiymbHlD-ezjAOw4DomujmgYEWVVYwa1ktpePlxe8cX_J2oHpCfwzUQPUr3XceMrZe8tkDZRVIFZczOdS28eLj5S-e4b706tgV6pBMHtnGixix0TrgxNAk7sC3thPa8SDsP5NtYhOiWqj_-tBP7XZbb4_Z7LuYOXt2I5-PUgLE_B6OkM7ID/s1280/E31D5833-2072-47C2-A407-16409B65D727.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="958" data-original-width="1280" height="457" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWRP3a1HXx2jiymbHlD-ezjAOw4DomujmgYEWVVYwa1ktpePlxe8cX_J2oHpCfwzUQPUr3XceMrZe8tkDZRVIFZczOdS28eLj5S-e4b706tgV6pBMHtnGixix0TrgxNAk7sC3thPa8SDsP5NtYhOiWqj_-tBP7XZbb4_Z7LuYOXt2I5-PUgLE_B6OkM7ID/w610-h457/E31D5833-2072-47C2-A407-16409B65D727.jpeg" width="610" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful fall colors along Hawk Ridge on October 20 (Photo: Jess Cosentino)<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Follow the HRBO count daily here at: https://www.trektellen.org</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Jess Cosentino</span></div><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Lead Counter</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b> </b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b></b></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWsUhQbfx4I9-TE_QplxSlnrBv3c7eNaCbVxnIEWihlfv0nhuoK63hGP2KUOuEsfczgPZaCXYSPeZwq5LlPcGs4Rcv1xGkEhGtihCxCekRKCtncxLFR3qvR-stTqjOs2bvbd89Btg6DLZ8hKVRIeeFUM6ZGtE54vdJ3JNDYLdi0S5SfZ73Mf76VFahwfmI/s1280/239FF07F-1043-4DB6-B31B-459108093F4C.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="958" data-original-width="1280" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWsUhQbfx4I9-TE_QplxSlnrBv3c7eNaCbVxnIEWihlfv0nhuoK63hGP2KUOuEsfczgPZaCXYSPeZwq5LlPcGs4Rcv1xGkEhGtihCxCekRKCtncxLFR3qvR-stTqjOs2bvbd89Btg6DLZ8hKVRIeeFUM6ZGtE54vdJ3JNDYLdi0S5SfZ73Mf76VFahwfmI/w602-h452/239FF07F-1043-4DB6-B31B-459108093F4C.jpeg" width="602" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A brilliant sunrise from Hawk Ridge on October 20 (Photo: Jess Cosentino)<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /> </b></span><p></p><p><br /></p><br />Jess Cosentinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04916069395367500491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5922014117958172534.post-8036295901364132272023-10-20T12:20:00.001-05:002023-10-20T12:20:41.820-05:00Hawk Ridge News - October 2023 Part 2<p><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Dear Hawk Ridge Friends,</span></span></p><div style="border-color: black; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; clear: both; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; width: 614px;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></span></p><img align="right" alt="Northern Saw-whet Owl by L Rolls" border="0" height="334" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/fcfbada968/Reigning%20heavy%20weight%20champion%20Saw-whet%20Owl%20of%20season%20119%20grams%20ASY%20F%20by%20L%20Rolls.JPG" style="height: 334px; width: 250px;" title="Northern Saw-whet Owl by L Rolls" vspace="0" width="250" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;">We're down to our last 2 weeks of our fall education and visitor services at Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve. We invite you to visit now through October 31st (daily 9am-4pm). The fall colors are peaking and hawks, eagles, and owls are on the move! There are a few slots left for our owl programs, which you can find out more about below. Owl banding, songbird banding, and Sept. education program summaries are featured in this e-news. Keep up with recent news by following us on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/HawkRidgeDuluth" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/hawk_ridge_bird_observatory/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>. You can also check out the live bird migration count totals </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">on Trektellen </span><a href="https://www.trektellen.org/count/view/3670/" id="" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank">HERE</a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> and HawkCount </span><a href="https://hawkcount.org/month_summary.php?r=on&rsite=288&go=Go+to+site" id="" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank">HERE</a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">P.S. If you missed our last e-newsletter featuring our September bird migration count and raptor banding summaries, you can view that and older versions by clicking </span><a href="http://hawkridgeblog.blogspot.com/" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank">HERE</a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><div><b><u><span style="font-size: medium;">Fall Owl Banding Update (Sept. 15th-Oct. 16th)</span></u></b></div><div><b><u><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></u></b></div><img align="right" alt="Owl Bander Kevin with female Long-eared Owl by L Fortuna 2" border="0" height="289" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/fcfbada968/Owl%20Bander%20Kevin%20with%20female%20Long-eared%20Owl%20by%20L%20Fortuna%202.jpg" style="height: 289px; width: 250px;" title="Owl Bander Kevin with female Long-eared Owl by L Fortuna 2" vspace="0" width="250" /><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">The 2023 Hawk Ridge Fall Owl Banding season has been a total hoot! Banding operations began on September 15th and will continue through early/mid November. Owl banders have had an excellent time banding, walking the net trails and learning everything about owl banding each night. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">September was the month of the Northern Saw-whet Owl, since it was the only species that was banded. 127 Saw-whet’s were banded during the month, this made it the highlight of the month but banders had a few other surprises as well. Two flying squirrels and a tiny Eastern Bat were extracted from the owl mist-nets. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">The month of October had a few rainy nights that prevented our banders from banding but the month has been productive in terms of owl numbers. All the Saw-whet’s left their cavities and the real migration began early October. Banders were able to band 750 Saw-whet’s during the first half of the month. The big push of Saw-whet’s began on October 2nd with a total of 56 Saw-whet’s. The push continued October 4th and 6th with 74 and 95 owls respectively. This was just a warm up because on October 7th we had our big Saw-whet day with a total of 156 individuals. This night was truly special since the owls kept coming and the banders kept banding! Another incredible event took place during the night of October 7th as well. We captured our first Long-eared owl of the season. By the end of the night we ended with 12 Long-eared Owls—our season high for this species. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><img align="normal" alt="Second Year molt of Northern Saw-whet Owl by K Garcia Lopez 2" border="0" height="142" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/fcfbada968/Second%20Year%20molt%20of%20Northern%20Saw-whet%20Owl%20by%20K%20Garcia%20Lopez%202.jpg" style="height: 142px; width: 190px;" title="Second Year molt of Northern Saw-whet Owl by K Garcia Lopez 2" vspace="0" width="190" /> <img align="normal" alt="Banding Apprentice Liv aging Long-eared Owl by K Garcia Lopez 2" border="0" height="150" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/fcfbada968/Banding%20Apprentice%20Liv%20aging%20Long-eared%20Owl%20by%20K%20Garcia%20Lopez%202.JPG" style="height: 150px; width: 200px;" title="Banding Apprentice Liv aging Long-eared Owl by K Garcia Lopez 2" vspace="0" width="200" /> <img align="normal" alt="Banding Apprentice Doris aging Long-eared Owl by K Garcia Lopez" border="0" height="150" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/fcfbada968/Banding%20Apprentice%20Doris%20aging%20Long-eared%20Owl%20by%20K%20Garcia%20Lopez.jpg" style="height: 150px; width: 200px;" title="Banding Apprentice Doris aging Long-eared Owl by K Garcia Lopez" vspace="0" width="200" /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">By the numbers! The 2023 owl numbers are on pace to surpass the totals for the previous two banding seasons. 906 owls have been banded as of October 15th. Saw-whet’s are leading the way with 877, followed by 27 Long-eared Owls and 2 Barred Owls. These totals do not include our recaptured owls which have added up to 30 Saw-whet’s so far. As for age distribution of Saw-whet Owls: 425 have been aged as Hatch-Year, 295 were Second-Year, 120 After Hatch Year, and 37 were aged as After-Second Year. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Our team looks forward to banding more Saw-whet’s, Long-eared Owls, the occasional Barred and Great Horned Owls. The team is also hopeful for a Boreal Owl irruption this season—cross your fingers! We look forward to sharing the next owl migration update but in the meantime we’ll continue checking our nets at the Ridge.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">By Kevin Garcia Lopez</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Owl Bander</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><u><span style="font-size: medium;">September Passerine Banding Summary</span></u></b></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><img align="right" alt="White-throated Sparrow by K Bardon" border="0" height="166" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/fcfbada968/White-throated%20Sparrow%20(photo%20by%20Karl%20Bardon).jpg" style="height: 166px; width: 250px;" title="White-throated Sparrow by K Bardon" vspace="0" width="250" /><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">We are having a truly exceptional fall passerine banding season at Hawk Ridge! During September we banded a total of 1,216 new birds to add to our August total of 851, for a season total of 2,067 bird thus far, with October numbers still to be added in for the whole season! What a year! We had 78 recaptures during the month of September making a total of 151 for the season. We were able to band 24 out of the 30 days in September and averaged 50 birds a day for the month! Lots of diversity of birds as well with 5 days having 20 or more species captured through the course of the day. In the first week of September, 4 days had 20 or more species, with 9/4 at 29 species the highest diversity followed by 9/2 at 25 species. But 9/21 also yielded 20 species in the later part of the month. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><img align="right" alt="Black-throated Blue Warbler Sept 23 by A Valine" border="0" height="187" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/fcfbada968/Black-throated%20Blue%20Warbler%20Sept%2023%20by%20A%20Valine.jpg" style="height: 187px; width: 250px;" title="Black-throated Blue Warbler Sept 23 by A Valine" vspace="0" width="250" /><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Warblers once again were the largest proportion of birds banded with 560 warblers banded for 46% of the catch. Thrushes stepped into second this moth with 302 banded for 25% of the bird banded. 110 sparrows for 9% and our later season Kinglets did not disappoint with 79 banded and 6% of the total banded. We had some late captures of some normally early season migrants this year with a Connecticut Warbler on 9/21 making our season total 4 for this year- we don’t usually see this many in the mist nets. We were beginning to think that a Cape May Warbler was out of the question for this year, but finally captured one on 9/26. And the latest usually earlier Warbler was a late adult male Black- throated Blue Warbler on 9/29. It was also a larger than normal sampling of Gray Catbirds this year with 21 caught in September. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><img align="right" alt="Red-eyed Vireo by K Bardon" border="0" height="166" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/fcfbada968/Red-eyed%20Vireo%20by%20Karl%20Bardon.jpg" style="height: 166px; width: 250px;" title="Red-eyed Vireo by K Bardon" vspace="0" width="250" /><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Top ten species for the month of September were: in the top spot- Swainson’s Thrushes at 261 caught; #2 was 173 American Redstarts, #3- Magnolia Warblers- 96, #4 White-throated Sparrows- 88, #5- Nashville Warblers- 84, #6 Ruby-crowned Kinglets- 67, #7 Tennessee Warblers- 36, #8 Ovenbirds- 35, #9 and #10 tied with Red-eyed Vireos and Black-capped Chickadees each at 27. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Thanks to all of our passerine banding volunteers - you are all rock stars and we are so happy to have all of you out to help us with this incredible year! But the story isn’t over til' it’s over with the October numbers! Stay tuned they are just around the corner! </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">By David Alexander and Margie Menzies </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Lead Passerine Banders</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><u><span style="font-size: medium;">September Education Summary</span></u></b></div><div><b><u><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></u></b></div><img align="right" alt="Naturalist Sarah W releasing dark morph Red-tailed Hawk by B Braga" border="0" height="200" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/fcfbada968/Naturalist%20Sarah%20W%20releasing%20dark%20morph%20Red-tailed%20Hawk%20by%20B%20Braga.jpg" style="height: 200px; width: 300px;" title="Naturalist Sarah W releasing dark morph Red-tailed Hawk by B Braga" vspace="0" width="300" /><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">The September Fall Education season has been a busy one as always with our outstanding educators sharing the magic that is the fall migration season at Hawk Ridge. You may have seen some familiar faces, if you've visited this fall, as we welcomed back the following naturalist staff from last year: Sara DePew, Julia Luger, Sarah Wood, Jake Behrens, Jamie Tigges, Sophie Richardson, Chris Schnurbusch, Caroline Urban, and Peter Mundale (volunteered in 2022). We welcomed back Gracie Sangmeister and Erik Brunhke to help with Count Interpretation. We also are happy to have Lisa Oakland and Tania Womack (volunteered in 2022) back this season to oversee our visitor services and gift shop, as well as Valerie Slocum continuing to coordinate the Volunteer Program (thank you amazing volunteers!!). </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Our new staff include education intern, Cam Citrowske, and 3 new trainees: Marie Chappell, Sarah Needles, and Megan Hanson (all pictured below). The Hawk Ridge traineeship also had an exciting new change this year to a weekly rotation for trainees to spend time and learn in each of our 3 core program areas of bird migration count, bird banding, and education. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><img align="top" alt="Trainee Marie Chappell with Sharp-shinned Hawk" border="0" height="230" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/fcfbada968/Trainee%20Marie%20Chappell%20with%20Sharp-shinned%20Hawk.jpg" style="height: 230px; width: 190px;" title="Trainee Marie Chappell with Sharp-shinned Hawk" vspace="0" width="190" /> <img align="normal" alt="Trainee Megan Hanson with a Merlin" border="0" height="267" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/fcfbada968/Trainee%20Megan%20Hanson%20with%20a%20Merlin.jpg" style="height: 267px; width: 200px;" title="Trainee Megan Hanson with a Merlin" vspace="0" width="200" /> <img align="normal" alt="Trainee Sarah Needles with Sharp-shinned Hawk" border="0" height="267" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/fcfbada968/Trainee%20Sarah%20Needles%20with%20Sharp-shinned%20Hawk.jpg" style="height: 267px; width: 200px;" title="Trainee Sarah Needles with Sharp-shinned Hawk" vspace="0" width="200" /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><img align="right" alt="UMD Intern Cam Citrowske with Sharp-shinned Hawk" border="0" height="200" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/fcfbada968/UMD%20Intern%20Cam%20Citrowske%20with%20Sharp-shinned%20Hawk.jpg" style="height: 200px; width: 150px;" title="UMD Intern Cam Citrowske with Sharp-shinned Hawk" vspace="0" width="150" /><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;">We might have had a record low September raptor count at the Ridge this year, but that was not the case on the side of visitors and education programs. A wide spectrum of programs at the Ridge included, preK-12 school groups (public/private/homeschool), college/higher education groups, </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;">general public participants of all ages for weekend programs, Hawk Weekend festival field trips and workshops, evening owl programs (general public and small group owl programs), and </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;">private programs for other groups, including the last of the Viking cruise programs for the season. And those were just the formal programs! We offered roughly 87 different formal programs in September to nearly 1500 participants. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><img align="right" alt="Hawk Ridge Staff Cam and Chris at Kids Cart" border="0" height="150" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/fcfbada968/Hawk%20Ridge%20Staff%20Cam%20and%20Chris%20at%20Kids%20Cart.jpg" style="height: 150px; width: 200px;" title="Hawk Ridge Staff Cam and Chris at Kids Cart" vspace="0" width="200" /><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In addition to all the formal programming, our education staff are engaging with visitors daily at Hawk Ridge. Naturalists provide a variety of informal programs for the general public, such as live bird demonstrations to teach about raptors and our banding research, fun activities for kids to learn about birds at the Kid's Cart, updating and discussing our bird migration count and </span></span></div><img align="right" alt="Hawk Ridge Count Display Board" border="0" height="150" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/fcfbada968/Hawk%20Ridge%20Count%20Display%20Board.jpg" style="height: 150px; width: 200px;" title="Hawk Ridge Count Display Board" vspace="0" width="200" /><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">numbers at the count board interpretive display, pointing out birds and helping with identification, assisting with binocular use and free rental, sharing recommendations for hikes to take at the Ridge, birding hotspots to check out in the area, and even general questions about birds and Duluth. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Whew- there is plenty going on at Hawk Ridge during the fall migration! Plenty of bird stories yet to tell- hope we will see you in October, when the really large birds soar through! </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">By Margie Menzies </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Education Director</span></span></div><div><b><u><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></u></b></div><div><b><u><span style="font-size: medium;">Hawk Weekend Festival 2023 Summary</span></u></b></div><div><b><u><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></u></b></div><img align="right" alt="Visitors at Hawk Ridge" border="0" height="230" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/fcfbada968/Visitors%20at%20Hawk%20Ridge.jpg" style="height: 230px; width: 306px;" title="Visitors at Hawk Ridge" vspace="0" width="306" /><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Our annual Hawk Weekend Festival held September 15-17th was an amazing weekend filled with great weather, great bird migration, and great people. Over 150 people pre-registered for a variety of guided birding field trips, workshops, and programs at Hawk Ridge and around Duluth. Hundreds of other visitors also joined us at Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve to view the migration and learn from our education naturalist staff and volunteers. Kettles of Broad-winged Hawks, Sharp-shinned Hawks, Bald Eagles, low-flying kestrels and other birds provided a beautiful spectacle that visitors of all ages and birding abilities enjoyed. A total of over 7,800 raptors (of 11 species) and approx. 26,000 other birds (of nearly 50 species) were counted. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Here's a glimpse of the excitement the counters wrote about on Saturday, September 16th: </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><img align="right" alt="Hawk Weekend Festival Counters International Hawk Migration Week 2" border="0" height="150" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/fcfbada968/Hawk%20Weekend%20Festival%20Counters%20International%20Hawk%20Migration%20Week%202.jpg" style="height: 150px; width: 200px;" title="Hawk Weekend Festival Counters International Hawk Migration Week 2" vspace="0" width="200" /><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><i>A day for the books! A huge thanks to volunteers Stephen Nelson and Russ Edmonds for assisting with the count today. 66 species. 8 warbler sp. numerous woodpeckers, and TONS of finches! 800+ Purple finch and 1100+ Siskin! By far the best bird of the day was a BLACK-BILLED MAGPIE moving down the shore, mixed in with Blue Jays! By the way, 10,540 jays today. The onslaught may never end. 22 Raven, first Ruby-crowned Kinglet, a Red-necked Grebe and 29 Sandhill Crane were other notable migrants. </i></span></div><img align="right" alt="American Kestrel by J Cosentino" border="0" height="141" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/fcfbada968/American%20Kestrel%20Sept%2011%202023%20by%20J%20Cosentino.JPG" style="height: 141px; width: 200px;" title="American Kestrel by J Cosentino" vspace="0" width="200" /><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><i>Raptors were moving. Potentially the only NW wind this month brought the biggest Broad-winged flight this year. Kettles rolled in from the N and drifted towards the shore. Interestingly, almost all BW activity died by 4pm, with no late day lakeside fallout. 1,211 Sharp-shinned is a season high count so far, as is 281 American Kestrel. Scanning over the lake, dozens of kestrel could be seen at a time all afternoon, and they didn't stop until nearly sunset! The late day falcon flights at the ridge are magical, as soft evening light settles over the farmland falcon, floating south on the last breath of wind.</i></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><img align="right" alt="Laurie Goodrich (center) received 2023 Lifetime Achievement award presented by G Niemi (left) and J Long (right) 4" border="0" height="216" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com//fcfbada968/Laurie%20Goodrich%20(center)%20received%202023%20Lifetime%20Achievement%20award%20presented%20by%20G%20Niemi%20(left)%20and%20J%20Long%20(right)%204.JPG?0.4738015504087054" style="height: 216px; width: 204px;" title="Laurie Goodrich (center) received 2023 Lifetime Achievement award presented by G Niemi (left) and J Long (right) 4" vspace="0" width="204" /><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;">Our kick-off evening event was held at the Great Lakes Aquarium with a fun social</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"> gathering, informative annual meeting with highlights </span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;">of Hawk Ridge, and engaging presentation on Broad-winged Hawk research and ecology by the keynote speaker, Dr. Laurie Goodrich. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;">The Hawk Ridge Lifetime Achievement award was presented by Dr. Gerald Niemi to Dr. Laurie Goodrich for her dedication and many accomplishments in the field of raptor research. Thank you Laurie! </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;">A 10-year Hawk Ridge service award was presented by Hawk Ridge Board Chair, Jim Sanders, to Ken Gilbertson in appreciation of his time and efforts serving on the Hawk Ridge Board of Directors. Thank you </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;">Ken!</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><img align="normal" alt="Hawk Weekend Festival Socail by S Palacheck" border="0" height="127" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/fcfbada968/Caine%20Jamie%20Jess%20Erik%20at%20Festival%20by%20S%20Palacheck%202.jpg" style="height: 127px; width: 190px;" title="Hawk Weekend Festival Socail by S Palacheck" vspace="0" width="190" /> <img align="none" alt="Board Chair Jim Sanders and volunteers Tania Womack and Gail Marsman at Festival 2023 by S Palacheck" border="0" height="133" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/fcfbada968/Board%20Chair%20Jim%20Sanders%20and%20volunteers%20Tania%20Womack%20and%20Gail%20Marsman%20at%20Festival%202023%20by%20S%20Palacheck.jpg" style="height: 133px; width: 200px;" title="Board Chair Jim Sanders and volunteers Tania Womack and Gail Marsman at Festival 2023 by S Palacheck" vspace="0" width="200" /> <img align="none" alt="Hawk Weekend Festival Kick-off Social at Aquarium by S Palacheck" border="0" height="133" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/fcfbada968/IMG_0014.jpg" style="height: 133px; width: 200px;" title="Hawk Weekend Festival Kick-off Social at Aquarium by S Palacheck" vspace="0" width="200" /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><img align="none" alt="J Sanders (right) presenting Ken Gilbertson 10-year board service award 2023 3" border="0" height="133" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/fcfbada968/J%20Sanders%20(right)%20presenting%20Ken%20Gilbertson%2010-year%20board%20service%20award%202023%203.JPG" style="height: 133px; width: 200px;" title="J Sanders (right) presenting Ken Gilbertson 10-year board service award 2023 3" vspace="0" width="200" /> <img align="normal" alt="Hawk Weekend Aquarium Social by S Palacheck" border="0" height="133" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/fcfbada968/IMG_0027.jpg" style="height: 133px; width: 200px;" title="Hawk Weekend Aquarium Social by S Palacheck" vspace="0" width="200" /> <img align="normal" alt="Hawk Weekend Festival Social at Aquarium by S Palacheck" border="0" height="127" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/fcfbada968/IMG_0048.jpg" style="height: 127px; width: 190px;" title="Hawk Weekend Festival Social at Aquarium by S Palacheck" vspace="0" width="190" /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It was an overall wonderful weekend with many new and return visitors from around the state and throughout the US (even beyond with students from Lakehead University in Canada and annual visitor friends from Japan)! We enjoyed the camaraderie and stories shared, as we watched the beautiful migration above and birds around us. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><img align="normal" alt="Hawk Ridge staff through the decades with Dr. Laurie Goodrich (center)" border="0" height="150" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/fcfbada968/Hawk%20Ridge%20staff%20through%20the%20decades%20with%20Dr.%20Laurie%20Goodrich%20(center).jpg" style="height: 150px; width: 200px;" title="Hawk Ridge staff through the decades with Dr. Laurie Goodrich (center)" vspace="0" width="200" /> <img align="normal" alt="Live raptor demo during Hawk Weekend Festival " border="0" height="150" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/fcfbada968/Live%20raptor%20demo%20during%20Hawk%20Weekend%20Festival%20.jpg" style="height: 150px; width: 200px;" title="Live raptor demo during Hawk Weekend Festival " vspace="0" width="200" /><img align="normal" alt="Hawk Ridge Executive Director Janelle Long with annual visitor friends from Japan" border="0" height="142" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/fcfbada968/Hawk%20Ridge%20Executive%20Director%20Janelle%20Long%20with%20annual%20visitor%20friends%20from%20Japan.jpg" style="height: 142px; width: 190px;" title="Hawk Ridge Executive Director Janelle Long with annual visitor friends from Japan" vspace="0" width="190" /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><img align="right" alt="Dave Carman teaching hawkwatching workshop during Hawk Weekend Festival" border="0" height="229" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/fcfbada968/Dave%20Carman%20teaching%20hawkwatching%20workshop%20during%20Hawk%20Weekend%20Festival%202.jpg" style="height: 229px; width: 306px;" title="Dave Carman teaching hawkwatching workshop during Hawk Weekend Festival" vspace="0" width="306" /><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Thank you to the wonderful field trip and workshop leaders: Dave Carman, Erik Bruhnke, Laura Erickson, Jackie Fallon, Margie Menzies, Clinton Dexter-Nienhaus, Bill Tefft. Thank you to the Hawk Ridge staff and volunteers for sharing your enthusiasm and passion through research and education! Thank you to all of the festival participants and visitors for joining us and supporting the bird conservation work of Hawk Ridge! </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;">P.S. You can listen </span><a href="https://www.kfai.org/minneculture-birders-flock-to-hawk-ridge-to-observe-the-fall-migration/" style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;" target="_blank">HERE</a><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"> to a nice piece put together by KFAI radio that captures the sounds and essence of our festival weekend celebrating the migration and bringing together people and birds. </span></span></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><u><span style="font-size: medium;">Upcoming Events</span></u></b></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><u><a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/education-programs/for-visitors/owlprogramsvisitors/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;">Evening Owl Programs</span></a></u></b></p></div><div class="xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs" style="margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><u><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></u></b></p><img align="right" alt="Emily Pavlovic Saw-whet 2020" border="0" height="333" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/d736626346/Emily%20Pavlovic%20Saw-whet%202020.jpg" style="height: 333px; width: 250px;" title="Emily Pavlovic Saw-whet 2020" vspace="0" width="250" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-52da141b-7fff-e91a-975a-49d5ab79e6b6"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Whoo doesn’t like owls? From large to small, seasonal travelers, and hardy residents, Minnesota hosts a fascinating diversity of owls, with some crazy habits, and some hauntingly beautiful sounds in the night. Join us this fall to learn about the Hawk Ridge owl banding research through one of our public evening owl programs or schedule a small group owl program. <a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/education-programs/for-visitors/owlprogramsvisitors/" target="_blank">Click HERE for more info.</a> </span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>Saturday 10/21 Owl Program: </b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">General public evening owl program on Saturday Oct. 21st at 8pm</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><i><b><u>Tickets ALMOST SOLD OUT</u>!</b></i> Call 218-428-6209 between 9am-4pm to check availability and register by phone. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">$10 member/student or $15 nonmember</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>Small group owl programs (up to 8): </b></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; white-space-collapse: preserve;">offered now through Oct. 31 (Tues. or Thurs-Sat. evenings) with date/time to be arranged by sending an email to <u>owls@hawkridge.org</u>. $40 member/student or $50 nonmember. </span></span></p></div><div class="xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs" style="margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><u>International Birding Trip Update</u> </span></b></p></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s" style="margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: #f8f5f2;"><b>Ecuador - Birding the Choco-Andes Region</b></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: #f8f5f2;"><b>February 25th - March 5th, 2024 </b></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>(Trip is FULL - watch for our next trip in summer or fall 2024!)</b><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"> </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Please contact Hawk Ridge Education Director, Margie Menzies, mmenzies@hawkridge.org with future birding trip ideas and to be first on the list to know!</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><b><u><span style="font-size: medium;">Hawk Migration Association of North America</span></u></b></div><div><b><u><a href="https://www.hmana.org/50thconference/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;">50th Anniversary Conference in Duluth, MN</span></a></u></b></div><div><b><u><span style="font-size: medium;">SAVE THE DATE! November 7-10, 2024</span></u></b></div><div><b><u><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></u></b></div><img align="right" alt="HMANA 50th Logo FINAL (white background)" border="0" height="118" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/e98f93d167/HMANA%2050th%20Logo%20FINAL%20(white%20background).jpg" style="height: 118px; width: 200px;" title="HMANA 50th Logo FINAL (white background)" vspace="0" width="200" /><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory is happy to announce that the Hawk Migration Association of North America (HMANA) is holding their 50th anniversary conference here in Duluth, MN next year in Nov. 2024! Hawk Ridge is helping host and will keep you posted on details. You can check out the conference link <a href="https://www.hmana.org/50thconference/" target="_blank">HERE</a>! </span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></b></div><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><u><span style="font-size: medium;">Thank You for Your Support!</span></u></b></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><img align="right" alt="American Goshawk by K Bardon" border="0" height="133" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/fcfbada968/American%20Goshawk%20by%20Karl%20Bardon%202.jpg" style="height: 133px; width: 200px;" title="American Goshawk by K Bardon" vspace="0" width="200" /><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory thanks all of our supporters. We appreciate you! As a nonprofit organization, we are primarily funded by individual gifts to put our bird migration research and education programs in action. Below are some of the ways you can help us keep sharing the magic of the bird migration!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><u><span style="font-size: medium;">Support Hawk Ridge by Shopping!</span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><img align="right" alt="Lisa and Tania at Hawk Ridge Merchandise Trailer" border="0" height="230" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/e8fa4240b0/Lisa%20and%20Tania%20at%20Hawk%20Ridge%20Merchandise%20Trailer.jpg" style="height: 230px; width: 306px;" title="Lisa and Tania at Hawk Ridge Merchandise Trailer" vspace="0" width="306" /><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">The best place to get all your Hawk Ridge gear is at our fall season gift shop trailer at Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve daily 9am-4pm between September 1 - October 31. If you're not able to come up to Hawk Ridge this fall, you can also check out some of our online shopping options with some of our merchandise. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://hawkridgeobservatory.itemorder.com/shop/sale/" target="_blank">Big Frog (direct ship or pick up at Duluth store)</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.bonfire.com/store/hawk-ridge-limited-edition-merchandise/" target="_blank">Bonfire (direct ship)</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://mugexp.com/collections/hawk-ridge" target="_blank">The Mug Experience (direct ship)</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="Whole Foods Co-op Logo" border="0" height="185" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/fcfbada968/Whole%20Foods%20Co-op%20Logo%203.jpg" style="height: 185px; width: 200px;" title="Whole Foods Co-op Logo" vspace="0" width="200" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><b><u>Thank you Whole Foods Co-Op Duluth!</u></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A special thanks to Duluth Whole Foods Co-Op and members for the Community Giving round-up program in support of Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory! As the September recipient and through your generosity, we received over $5,500 in round-up donations! THANK YOU! </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><b><u>Become A Member Today!</u></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><img align="right" alt="Hawk Ridge bird release" border="0" height="150" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/fcfbada968/Hawk%20Ridge%20bird%20release.JPG" style="height: 150px; width: 200px;" title="Hawk Ridge bird release" vspace="0" width="200" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;">If you're already a member of Hawk Ridge, we sincerely appreciate your support! THANK YOU! If you're not a member and have enjoyed your experience with Hawk Ridge, we invite you to renew or join as a Hawk Ridge member today! Our memberships and donations help drive our bird conservation research and education programs. You can check out our exciting membership benefits</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"> and</span><a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/support/membership/" style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;" target="_blank"> <b>join or renew online HERE!</b></a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><div><img align="right" alt="Rainbow at Hawk Ridge by K Bardon" border="0" height="133" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/fcfbada968/HR%20rainbow%20with%20Alex%20by%20Karl%20Bardon.jpg" style="height: 133px; width: 200px;" title="Rainbow at Hawk Ridge by K Bardon" vspace="0" width="200" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><u><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Simply Donate</span></span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">You can always simply donate online by clicking <a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/support/donate/" target="_blank">HERE</a> or by mailing a check made out to Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory, P.O. Box 3006, Duluth, MN 55803.</span></p></div></div></div><h3 style="border-color: black; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 6px; padding: 0px; width: 614px;"></h3><div style="border-color: black; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; clear: both; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; width: 614px;"><span style="color: black; font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.hawkridge.org/support/donate/" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://www.hawkridge.org/support/donate/" target="_blank"></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;">Thank you again for your wonderful gift of support! Hope to connect with you again soon! <br /></span></span><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br />Sincerely,<br /><br />Janelle Long<br />Executive Director<br />Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory<br /><br />Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory<br />P.O. Box 3006<br />Duluth, MN 55803-3006<br />Call: 218-428-6209<br />Contact: mail@hawkridge.org<br />Visit: www.hawkridge.org<br />501(c)3 Non-Profit Organization<br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Federal Tax ID 76-0746366</span></span></p></div>Hawk Ridge Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03346381697590328711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5922014117958172534.post-5726661207265731672023-10-18T20:11:00.002-05:002023-10-18T20:11:53.667-05:00Hawk Ridge News - October 2023 Part 1<p><span style="font-size: medium;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;">Dear Hawk Ridge Friends,</span></span></p><div style="border-color: black; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; clear: both; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; width: 614px;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></span></p><img align="right" alt="Hawk Ridge Fall Colors by K Bardon" border="0" height="204" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/e98f93d167/HR%20rainbow%20with%20Alex%20by%20Karl%20Bardon.jpg" style="height: 204px; width: 306px;" title="Hawk Ridge Fall Colors by K Bardon" vspace="0" width="306" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;">October is a wonderful month to visit Hawk Ridge! The mix of fall colors and Lake Superior provide a beautiful backdrop to the larger raptors moving through, such as Red-tailed Hawks, Rough-legged Hawks, Northern Goshawks, Bald and Golden Eagles! </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;">Approximately 35,000 raptors and over 200,000 non-raptors of nearly 180 bird species have been counted so far since August 15! In this e-news, you'll find the September bird migration count and raptor banding summaries, as well as upcoming events! </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You can follow along with the count on Trektellen </span><a href="https://www.trektellen.org/count/view/3670/" id="" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank">HERE</a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> and HawkCount </span><a href="https://hawkcount.org/month_summary.php?r=on&rsite=288&go=Go+to+site" id="" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank">HERE</a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">P.S. If you missed our last e-newsletter, you can view that and older versions by clicking </span><a href="http://hawkridgeblog.blogspot.com/" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank">HERE</a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><div><span style="background-color: #f8f5f2;"><b><u><span style="font-size: medium;">September 2023 Bird Migration Count Summary</span></u></b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><img align="right" alt="Sharp-shinned Hawk Sept 20 2023" border="0" height="204" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/e98f93d167/Sharp-shinned%20Hawk%20Sept%2020%202023.JPG" style="height: 204px; width: 306px;" title="Sharp-shinned Hawk Sept 20 2023" vspace="0" width="306" /><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Fall 2023 migration count at Hawk Ridge continued through September with a total of 320.5 count hours over 30 consecutive days by the end of the month. This set a new HRBO high record for September count hours (previous high: September 2009 with 318.02 hours). A total of 18,424 raptors across 14 different species were documented from the platform during the month. The most abundant raptor species counted were: SHARP-SHINNED HAWK (8183), BROAD-WINGED HAWK (6587), AMERICAN KESTREL (1307), BALD EAGLE (1054), TURKEY VULTURE (272). </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><img align="right" alt="Broad-winged Hawk by J Cosentino" border="0" height="116" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/e98f93d167/Broad-winged%20Hawk%20by%20J%20Cosentino.JPG" style="height: 116px; width: 350px;" title="Broad-winged Hawk by J Cosentino" vspace="0" width="350" /><div><span style="font-size: medium;">This is only the second September in the history of the HRBO fall count where Broad-winged Hawks were not the most abundant raptor species (see: September 1998 with 8665 Broad-winged Hawks compared to 11161 Sharp-shinned Hawks). This was a direct result of poor weather conditions throughout the middle and second half of the month, specifically persistent east winds coupled with precipitation. Historically, peak Broad-winged movement is concentrated around the second and third weeks of this month, with nearly all migrants being tallied during this specific time window. However, consistent east winds blowing in off of the lake day-after-day likely pushed any southward migrant Broad-wing groups farther inland from the Ridge, beyond the ability of detection from the overlook. As a result, this year's season total has been historically low but is likely not indicative of any larger trends at the population-level (but rather an artifact of poor winds). </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><img align="right" alt="Merlin Sept 23 by J Cosentino" border="0" height="115" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/e98f93d167/Merlin%20Sept%2023%20by%20J%20Cosentino.JPG" style="height: 115px; width: 306px;" title="Merlin Sept 23 by J Cosentino" vspace="0" width="306" /><div><span style="font-size: medium;">While the lack of swirling kettles of southbound Broad-wings was noticeably absent, September provided a great raptor flight across many other species! While some other species (e.g., RED-TAILED HAWK, BALD EAGLE) had lower-than-average monthly totals compared to their respective ten-year (2013-2022) averages, several other species exhibited higher-than-average September totals compared to those same recent long-term averages, specifically: NORTHERN HARRIERS, AMERICAN KESTRELS, and MERLIN. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><img align="right" alt="Short-eared Owl Sept 11 2023 by J Cosentino" border="0" height="234" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/e98f93d167/Short-eared%20Owl%20Sept%2011%202023%20by%20J%20Cosentino.JPG" style="height: 234px; width: 320px;" title="Short-eared Owl Sept 11 2023 by J Cosentino" vspace="0" width="320" /><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Other notable raptor highlights include: a subadult MISSISSIPPI KITE on 9/2 passing close along the Ridge late in the day, two SWAINSON'S HAWKS passing close along the Ridge on the same day (9/10) during a big raptor flight, two SHORT-EARED OWLS passing on consecutive days (9/10 and 9/11) providing excellent views directly above the overlook, and the first AMERICAN GOSHAWK of the season on 9/26. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><img align="right" alt="Blue Jay Sept 23 by J Cosentino 2" border="0" height="221" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/e98f93d167/Blue%20Jay%20Sept%2023%20by%20J%20Cosentino%202.JPG" style="height: 221px; width: 300px;" title="Blue Jay Sept 23 by J Cosentino 2" vspace="0" width="300" /><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The non-raptor flight along the Ridge gained momentum over September as well, with 101 non-raptor migrant bird species documented. The most abundant non-raptor species documented throughout the month were: BLUE JAY (77089*), AMERICAN ROBIN (16763), UNIDENTIFIED WARBLERS (11097), CEDAR WAXWING (10227), CANADA GEESE (5545), PINE SISKIN (3073), PURPLE FINCH (2673), COMMON GRACKLE (2600), YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER (2537), CLIFF SWALLOW (1112). Other non-raptor migrant highlights from the month include: TEN RED-HEADED WOODPECKER on the same date (9/2), BLACK-BILLED MAGPIE (9/16), BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO (9/22), SEVEN BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKERS over the month (*This monthly total set a new HRBO site high record season total for this species (previously set in fall 2022) </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">For more HRBO fall migration count updates, you can check out the blog <a href="https://hawkridgeblog.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">HERE</a> or visit: https://hawkridgeblog.blogspot.com/ </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">To view all species (raptor and non-raptor) totals for the Fall 2023 migration count at Hawk Ridge, click <a href="https://www.trektellen.org/site/totals/3670/2023" target="_blank">HERE </a>or visit: https://www.trektellen.org/site/totals/3670/2023. You can also find our raptor totals by day/month/year here on <a href="https://www.hawkcount.org/month_summary.php?rsite=288&ryear=2023&rmonth=10" target="_blank">HawkCount</a>. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Jess Cosentino </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Lead Counter</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><u><span style="font-size: medium;">September 2023 Raptor Banding Summary</span></u></b></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The month of September started out well with decent weather and winds, but just as things started ramping up for what should have been our biggest push of birds mid-September, we were hit with two straight weeks of east winds, fog, and rain. Despite the rough weather, we ran three banding stations a total of 65 days in September. The Hawk Ridge and Moose Valley stations were each covered consistently throughout the month by Abbie Valine and Kara Beer, respectively, while the Paine Farm station was run intermittently by David Alexander, Frank Nicoletti, and Miranda Durbin. Additional help at the Hawk Ridge station was provided by our banding apprentices Liv Fortuna and Doris Rodriguez, as well as trainees Marie Chappell, Megan Hanson, and Sarah Needles. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img align="normal" alt="Trainee Megan Hanson with a hatch-year male Northern Harrier. Photo by Abbie Valine" border="0" height="267" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/e98f93d167/Trainee%20Megan%20Hanson%20with%20a%20hatch-year%20male%20Northern%20Harrier.%20Photo%20by%20Abbie%20Valine.jpg" style="height: 267px; width: 200px;" title="Trainee Megan Hanson with a hatch-year male Northern Harrier. Photo by Abbie Valine" vspace="0" width="200" /> <img align="top" alt="Banding apprentices Liv with Sharp-shinned Hawk and Doris with Coopers Hawk. Photo by A Valine 2" border="0" height="203" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/e98f93d167/Banding%20apprentices%20Liv%20with%20Sharp-shinned%20Hawk%20and%20Doris%20with%20Coopers%20Hawk.%20Photo%20by%20A%20Valine%202.jpg" style="height: 203px; width: 306px;" title="Banding apprentices Liv with Sharp-shinned Hawk and Doris with Coopers Hawk. Photo by A Valine 2" vspace="0" width="306" /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Due to poor weather in the second half of the month, September numbers were below average (though similar to 2022 numbers), particularly for Sharp-shinned Hawks, Broad-winged Hawks, and Red-tailed Hawks. American Kestrels and Merlins showed excellent numbers in September, with kestrels already well above the season total average and Merlins not far behind. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img align="normal" alt="Adult male American Kestrel. Photo by Kara Beer" border="0" height="267" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/e98f93d167/Adult%20male%20American%20Kestrel.%20Photo%20by%20Kara%20Beer.jpg" style="height: 267px; width: 200px;" title="Adult male American Kestrel. Photo by Kara Beer" vspace="0" width="200" /> <img align="top" alt="After hatch year male Sharp-shinned Hawk. Photo by Abbie Valine" border="0" height="200" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/e98f93d167/After%20hatch%20year%20male%20Sharp-shinned%20Hawk.%20Photo%20by%20Abbie%20Valine.jpg" style="height: 200px; width: 200px;" title="After hatch year male Sharp-shinned Hawk. Photo by Abbie Valine" vspace="0" width="200" /> <img align="top" alt="Hatch-year Peregrine Falcon. Photo by Kara Beer" border="0" height="200" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/e98f93d167/Hatch-year%20Peregrine%20Falcon.%20Photo%20by%20Kara%20Beer.jpg" style="height: 200px; width: 150px;" title="Hatch-year Peregrine Falcon. Photo by Kara Beer" vspace="0" width="150" /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="Owl bander Kevin Garcia Lopez with a hatch-year Barred owl caught during the day at Paine Farm. Photo by Doris Rodriguez" border="0" height="233" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/e98f93d167/Owl%20bander%20Kevin%20Garcia%20Lopez%20with%20a%20hatch-year%20Barred%20owl%20caught%20during%20the%20day%20at%20Paine%20Farm.%20Photo%20by%20Doris%20Rodriguez.JPEG" style="height: 233px; width: 175px;" title="Owl bander Kevin Garcia Lopez with a hatch-year Barred owl caught during the day at Paine Farm. Photo by Doris Rodriguez" vspace="0" width="175" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Some of the highlights of the month included an uncharacteristically diurnal barred owl banded at Paine Farm at 11 A.M. on September 10th, and a new daily record of 17 Merlins banded at Moose Valley on September 22nd . </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Totals for September were as follows: </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Norther Harrier – 11 </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Sharp-shinned Hawk – 710 </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Cooper’s Hawk – 16 </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">American Goshawk – 1 </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Broad-winged Hawk – 1 </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Red-tailed Hawk – 8 </span></p><img align="right" alt="Hatch-year female Northern Harrier. Photo by Kara Beer 2" border="0" height="150" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/e98f93d167/Hatch-year%20female%20Northern%20Harrier.%20Photo%20by%20Kara%20Beer%202.jpg" style="height: 150px; width: 200px;" title="Hatch-year female Northern Harrier. Photo by Kara Beer 2" vspace="0" width="200" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">American Kestrel – 69 </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Merlin – 70 </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Peregrine Falcon – 3 </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Barred Owl – 1 </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Total – 890</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Abbie Valine</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Lead Raptor Bander</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">*NOTE: September summary reports for owls and passerine banding and education programs will be out in the e-newsletter part 2 next week.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><u><span style="font-size: medium;">Upcoming Events</span></u></b></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p></div><div class="xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs" style="margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><u><a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/education-programs/for-visitors/owlprogramsvisitors/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;">Evening Owl Programs</span></a></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><u><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></u></b></p><img align="right" alt="Emily Pavlovic Saw-whet 2020" border="0" height="333" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/d736626346/Emily%20Pavlovic%20Saw-whet%202020.jpg" style="height: 333px; width: 250px;" title="Emily Pavlovic Saw-whet 2020" vspace="0" width="250" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-52da141b-7fff-e91a-975a-49d5ab79e6b6"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Whoo doesn’t like owls? From large to small, seasonal travelers, and hardy residents, Minnesota hosts a fascinating diversity of owls, with some crazy habits, and some hauntingly beautiful sounds in the night. Join us this fall to learn about the Hawk Ridge owl banding research through one of our public evening owl programs or schedule a small group owl program. <a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/education-programs/for-visitors/owlprogramsvisitors/" target="_blank">Click HERE for more info.</a> </span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>Saturday 10/21 Owl Program: </b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">General public evening owl program on Saturday Oct. 21st at 8pm</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Tickets limited (<a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/education-programs/for-visitors/owlprogramsvisitors/" target="_blank">click HERE to register</a>); $10 member/student or $15 nonmember</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>Small group owl programs (up to 8): </b></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b> </b>offered now through Oct. 31 (Tues. or Thurs-Sat. evenings) with date/time to be arranged by sending an email to <u>owls@hawkridge.org</u>. $40 member/student or $50 nonmember. </span></span></p><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs" style="margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><div><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/event/duluth-community-day-at-hawk-ridge/" target="_blank">Hawk Ridge Duluth Community Day</a> &</span></b></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://folsr.org/events/2cerhh9gz55fzcfreabkcnxdazb5nj" id="" target="_blank">Everyone Can Bird</a> Event! </span></b></p></div><div><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #f8f5f2;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Saturday, October 14th </span></b></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="Hawk Ridge Staff Cam and Chris at Kids Cart" border="0" height="225" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/e98f93d167/Hawk%20Ridge%20Staff%20Cam%20and%20Chris%20at%20Kids%20Cart.jpg" style="height: 225px; width: 300px;" title="Hawk Ridge Staff Cam and Chris at Kids Cart" vspace="0" width="300" /><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;">October is the month where the largest of our migrating raptors move through Hawk Ridge! </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;">Come out and join us for our FREE fall Duluth Community Day (9am-4pm) and Everyone Can Bird event (9:30-11:30am) at Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve. A variety of activities for all ages and abilities will be happening at the Ridge – measure your wingspan and see what bird you would be, make a bird mask, get banded like a bird, head off for a scavenger hunt on our trails, or just hang out to learn about and see what magnificent birds fly by! Join us for one of our <a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/event/duluth-community-day-at-hawk-ridge/" target="_blank">scheduled programs</a> or learn from Hawk Ridge naturalists and volunteers at the Hawk Ridge main overlook! This is a great time to make a visit and see what Hawk Ridge is all about! </span></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;"><img align="right" alt="Margie Menzies and birders by Marie Zhuikov 2" border="0" height="203" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/3c17dbc1df/Margie%20Menzies%20and%20birders%20by%20Marie%20Zhuikov%202.jpg" style="height: 203px; width: 200px;" title="Margie Menzies and birders by Marie Zhuikov 2" vspace="0" width="200" /></p><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;">Hawk Ridge in partnership with the Friends of the Lake Superior Reserve, Wisconsin Sea Grant, Minnesota Land Trust, Embar</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;">k Supported Employment and the Lake Superior Reserve </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;">is hosting the Everyone Can Bird as part of the accessible birding series. T</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;">his event also c</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;">oincides with </span><a href="https://www.birdability.org/birdability-week-2023" style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Birdability Week 2023</a><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;">, in which there are other virtual birding events you can attend via birdability.org</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;">. </span></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We welcome people of all ages and ability levels to attend! </span></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><u>International Birding Trip Update</u> </span></b></p></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s" style="margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><div><span style="background-color: #f8f5f2;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Ecuador - Birding the Choco-Andes Region</span></b></span></div><div><span style="background-color: #f8f5f2;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">February 25th - March 5th, 2024 </span></b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>(Trip is FULL - watch for our next trip in summer or fall 2024!)</b><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"> </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Please contact Hawk Ridge Education Director, Margie Menzies, mmenzies@hawkridge.org with future birding trip ideas and to be first on the list to know!</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><b><u><span style="font-size: medium;">Hawk Migration Association of North America</span></u></b></div><div><b><u><a href="https://www.hmana.org/50thconference/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;">50th Anniversary Conference in Duluth, MN</span></a></u></b></div><div><b><u><span style="font-size: medium;">SAVE THE DATE! November 7-10, 2024</span></u></b></div><div><b><u><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></u></b></div><img align="right" alt="HMANA 50th Logo FINAL (white background)" border="0" height="118" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/e98f93d167/HMANA%2050th%20Logo%20FINAL%20(white%20background).jpg" style="height: 118px; width: 200px;" title="HMANA 50th Logo FINAL (white background)" vspace="0" width="200" /><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory is happy to announce that the Hawk Migration Association of North America (HMANA) is holding their 50th anniversary conference here in Duluth, MN next year in Nov. 2024! Hawk Ridge is helping host and will keep you posted on details. You can check out the conference link <a href="https://www.hmana.org/50thconference/" target="_blank">HERE</a>! </span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></b></div><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><u><span style="font-size: medium;">Thank You for Your Support!</span></u></b></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory thanks all of our supporters. We appreciate you! As a nonprofit organization, we are primarily funded by individual gifts to put our bird migration research and education programs in action. Below are some of the ways you can help us keep sharing the magic of the bird migration!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 14.2667px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><b><u>Support Hawk Ridge by Shopping!</u></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><img align="right" alt="Lisa and Tania at Hawk Ridge Merchandise Trailer" border="0" height="230" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/e8fa4240b0/Lisa%20and%20Tania%20at%20Hawk%20Ridge%20Merchandise%20Trailer.jpg" style="height: 230px; width: 306px;" title="Lisa and Tania at Hawk Ridge Merchandise Trailer" vspace="0" width="306" /><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">The best place to get all your Hawk Ridge gear is at our fall season gift shop trailer at Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve daily 9am-4pm between September 1 - October 31. If you're not able to come up to Hawk Ridge this fall, you can also check out some of our online shopping options with some of our merchandise. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://hawkridgeobservatory.itemorder.com/shop/sale/" target="_blank">Big Frog (direct ship or pick up at Duluth store)</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.bonfire.com/store/hawk-ridge-limited-edition-merchandise/" target="_blank">Bonfire (direct ship)</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://mugexp.com/collections/hawk-ridge" target="_blank">The Mug Experience (direct ship)</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="Banded bird release at Hawk Ridge by J Richardson" border="0" height="174" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/0a86a72a43/Banded%20bird%20release%20at%20Hawk%20Ridge%20by%20J%20Richardson.jpg" style="height: 174px; width: 130px;" title="Banded bird release at Hawk Ridge by J Richardson" vspace="0" width="130" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><b><u>Become A Member Today!</u></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">If you're already a member of Hawk Ridge, we sincerely appreciate your support! THANK YOU! If you're not a member and have enjoyed your experience with Hawk Ridge, we invite you to renew or join as a Hawk Ridge member today! Our memberships and donations help drive our bird conservation research and education programs. You can check out our exciting membership benefits and<a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/support/membership/" target="_blank"> <b>join or renew online HERE!</b></a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><u><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Simply Donate</span></span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">You can always simply donate online by clicking <a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/support/donate/" target="_blank">HERE</a> or by mailing a check made out to Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory, P.O. Box 3006, Duluth, MN 55803.</span></p></div></div></div><h3 style="border-color: black; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 6px; padding: 0px; width: 614px;"></h3><div style="border-color: black; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; clear: both; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; width: 614px;"><span style="color: black; font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.hawkridge.org/support/donate/" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://www.hawkridge.org/support/donate/" target="_blank"></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;">Thank you again for your wonderful gift of support! Hope to connect with you again soon! <br /></span></span><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br />Sincerely,<br /><br />Janelle Long<br />Executive Director<br />Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory<br /><br />Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory<br />P.O. Box 3006<br />Duluth, MN 55803-3006<br />Call: 218-428-6209<br />Contact: mail@hawkridge.org<br />Visit: www.hawkridge.org<br />501(c)3 Non-Profit Organization<br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Federal Tax ID 76-074636</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">6</span></span></p></div>Hawk Ridge Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03346381697590328711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5922014117958172534.post-39984450418317425522023-10-15T22:00:00.015-05:002023-10-17T21:19:13.239-05:00Notes from the Ridge: Fall Migration Count 2023 (October 1 - October 10)<p><span style="font-size: medium;">As the ink of September migration slowly dries, new pages from October along <b>Hawk Ridge </b>continue to be written with each passing day. The first day of the month brought more east winds, reminiscent of the final half of September, coupled with a mediocre raptor flight. However, <b>October 2</b> delivered a long<i> </i>overdue<i> </i>day of<i> fantastic migration on the Ridge</i>! Following weeks of persistent east winds, the directions finally shifted to southwest coupled by warmer temperatures, which prompted an excellent early October flight. <b>SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS</b> were darting down the lake shore and Ridge early, with just over 200 passing in the first two hours following sunrise! This momentum carried for hours, resulting in one of the highest day count totals (1349) for this species so far this season. Following the massive five-digit <b>AMERICAN ROBIN</b> flight (13,224) on the final day of September, nearly four-thousand more would pass by today as well. A late migrant male <b>BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER</b> darted over the count platform during the post-dawn morning flight with <b>PINE SISKINS (698)</b> on the move in small groups throughout the day. Additionally, a migrant <b>HARRIS'S SPARROW</b> was spotted at the nearby platform feeders. After such a long stretch of poor late September weather, this was just a really fun day to be counting migrant birds on the Ridge.</span> <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG8GSaUt9GSAGe8LEalqzCFnAdExdHMcqmxzxfHiUG0h2oalBeqMxqq-X9hb3Pj6fCeHCdB0DmfkAsh-s7Rg5dxzKlB9PtDwiNU6zluP5U7zdmBsAl-MhYftbx3OdtKpCm57Y7CB6rp6i_sHMEXIIM8DJQfSjt3Vz-NQN4WMkSCV__ltLbNZyIrea-FuF6/s4529/HRBO_2OCT2023_HASP.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2447" data-original-width="4529" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG8GSaUt9GSAGe8LEalqzCFnAdExdHMcqmxzxfHiUG0h2oalBeqMxqq-X9hb3Pj6fCeHCdB0DmfkAsh-s7Rg5dxzKlB9PtDwiNU6zluP5U7zdmBsAl-MhYftbx3OdtKpCm57Y7CB6rp6i_sHMEXIIM8DJQfSjt3Vz-NQN4WMkSCV__ltLbNZyIrea-FuF6/w526-h284/HRBO_2OCT2023_HASP.JPG" width="526" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">HARRIS'S SPARROW visits the feeders near the count platform on October 2 (Photo: Jess Cosentino)</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>October 3 </b>carried this momentum, providing a second consecutive four-digit <b>SHARP-SHINNED HAWK </b>day count total (1215). The small accipiters were consistently pushing down the Ridge throughout every hour of the count, gradually adding to the daily total with each quick pass. When southern winds blow north towards Duluth in early October, the whisper of <i>Peregrine winds</i> is not far behind. Historically, these conditions coupled with this time window often align with some of the largest <b>PEREGRINE FALCON</b> day counts on the Ridge. Almost in rapid succession, Peregrines continued to appear over the summit of the Ridge and down the lake shore as their powerful wing beats cut them through the southerly headwinds with ease until a total of <b>25 PEREGRINE FALCONS</b> would be counted on the day! This ties the <i>2nd highest HRBO day count for this species ever documented</i> (ties September 19, 2019). The day was nothing short of a spectacle. Deep snapping wingbeats slicing the air overhead with each passing bird, as observers along the overlook swung their heads in unison to watch every lasting moment from the large falcons. <b>AMERICAN ROBIN </b>momentum continued steadily with another with another 3020 making passage, as well as observing active <b>BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE</b> migration down the Ridge throughout the day. While not complete migrants with entire populations migrating to new locations, chickadees do disperse and this type of behavior is more often observed along the shorelines of Lake Superior, so to witness it down the Ridge is always an interesting field observation. Additionally, two migrant <b>WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCHES </b>were documented shooting down the Ridge at a high altitude in sustained flight! </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirZ9Sw050i0bnjet0pTfvE16WiPU7oYrcH6KvjX6W9vFeiZGPOLDyyXT7Dfh9fzHT7lbypOBqRTaJuWUkzGPMlLA2yWYUIFZr5iixsbl3Tt4fZWNry_J1WyJdoPXLMP7zkxeQyrxRoPvCctqo6q2ecoKUo2Hp_pjXivcwDjnWFxfaKHQmCmmYf6tkhGa_l/s841/HRBO_2OCT2023_PEFA(2).JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="598" data-original-width="841" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirZ9Sw050i0bnjet0pTfvE16WiPU7oYrcH6KvjX6W9vFeiZGPOLDyyXT7Dfh9fzHT7lbypOBqRTaJuWUkzGPMlLA2yWYUIFZr5iixsbl3Tt4fZWNry_J1WyJdoPXLMP7zkxeQyrxRoPvCctqo6q2ecoKUo2Hp_pjXivcwDjnWFxfaKHQmCmmYf6tkhGa_l/w449-h320/HRBO_2OCT2023_PEFA(2).JPG" width="449" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of 25 PEREGRINE FALCONS passing the Ridge on October 3 (Photo: Jess Cosentino)</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQIZlMpc17sMi3Wi4pL7gm9gBViMuOf1HWZY_AEVQfmDKwyS7QR7WY3EICJ-24nTvjP_VmJKt4fBQd3GxpLKfPFWO45n0VSl4XZ-ODMFTegulUd8ZARCRYNn1a07U-9M927ppP5rKH_-rLw0e3mfuA9dk9q8bJH93z4m7l5HXVV32EukcjMocCE1zxsyic/s1051/HRBO_2OCT2023_PEFA.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="935" data-original-width="1051" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQIZlMpc17sMi3Wi4pL7gm9gBViMuOf1HWZY_AEVQfmDKwyS7QR7WY3EICJ-24nTvjP_VmJKt4fBQd3GxpLKfPFWO45n0VSl4XZ-ODMFTegulUd8ZARCRYNn1a07U-9M927ppP5rKH_-rLw0e3mfuA9dk9q8bJH93z4m7l5HXVV32EukcjMocCE1zxsyic/w458-h408/HRBO_2OCT2023_PEFA.JPG" width="458" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Adult PEREGRINE FALCON passing the Ridge on October 3 (Photo: Jess Cosentino)<br /></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">What has already been shaping up as a fantastic count season for <b>NORTHERN HARRIERS</b> delivered an excellent flight for this species on <b>October 4</b>, with <i>76 migrant harriers being tallied from the Ridge</i>! Another day of southwest winds also brought a second consecutive notable flight of <b>PEREGRINE FALCONS (21)</b>, inching this year's season total into the highest October total ever recorded for this species. <b>CANADA GEESE</b> were on the move with nearly 1000 passing the Ridge by the end of the day. <b>BROAD-WINGED HAWK (332)</b> kettles began to spiral skyward later into the afternoon hours bringing with them another <b>SWAINSON'S HAWK</b>! The Swainson's took a distant high line, mixed in with the kettles; however, provided excellent views from the overlook with the assistance of optics. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>October 5 </b>delivered the one thing that nearly every hawkwatcher visiting the Ridge had been listfully missing for weeks at that point: <i>West winds</i>! (and with them came another incredible flight). The first four days of October had already experienced two four-digit count days of migrant <b>SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS</b>; however, today brought a fantastic stream of the small accipiters along the Ridge and shore that seemingly did not stop for hours upon end with <b><i>1750 Sharpies passing throughout the day</i></b>! (Many thanks to HRBO count trainee Megan Hanson for all of their hard work diligently keeping tally of Sharpies passing the Ridge using the hand clickers while both counters were busy scanning the skies and counting their own non-stop pulses of Sharpies throughout the entire count period). The <b>BROAD-WINGED HAWK</b> kettles began bubbling by late morning and an October record-setting day count of <i><b>2542 Broad-wings made passage throughout the count period</b></i>! This is both the highest HRBO October day count total and overall October total for this species ever recorded. To add to the magic, a single <b>DARK-MORPH BROAD-WINGED HAWK</b> passed directly above the overlook and count platform while mixing in with the kettles, providing excellent sustained views from below. The west winds also shuffled in the first triple-digit day count of <b>RED-TAILED HAWKS (102) </b>for this season - a sure sign that October has arrived. The non-raptor flight on the day was equally as impressive, with great <b>NORTHERN FLICKER (75)</b> movement, as well as an incredibly close migrant <b>BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKER</b> passing directly in front of the count platform while shouting a loud <i>KEK! </i>call before disappearing down the Ridge (A total of seven migrant woodpecker species were tallied throughout the day). Additionally, <b>PURPLE FINCH (1574) </b>and <b>AMERICAN ROBIN (1846)</b> were moving in great numbers. Rain moved in from the west late in the day; however, a brilliant double rainbow arced it's beautiful colors across the Ridge across a beautiful cloudscape of varying shades of greys and purples as an adult <b>BALD EAGLE</b> flew directly through it! It can often feel like hyperbole to repeat throughout a single season, but days like this on the Ridge really feel incredibly special to be witness to.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5a28AcvWySYY4U4wv04DxWxFA2_hP7iRT6go6xC7xs5qepHjNpWUn6EDBhxwgkB4qnbiJZOQz2UbOFJygeZiAgJZ3I_ri39fzdmVYNjz52xvhbi_nqj-159dwRyu0ft8t9WHiJOfzWUN1XZaSaxPBPFtzGYCp2pMlufLW_gn75GoIAZp6eBEVLpAl0GTe/s648/HRBO_5OCT2023_BWHADARK.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="491" data-original-width="648" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5a28AcvWySYY4U4wv04DxWxFA2_hP7iRT6go6xC7xs5qepHjNpWUn6EDBhxwgkB4qnbiJZOQz2UbOFJygeZiAgJZ3I_ri39fzdmVYNjz52xvhbi_nqj-159dwRyu0ft8t9WHiJOfzWUN1XZaSaxPBPFtzGYCp2pMlufLW_gn75GoIAZp6eBEVLpAl0GTe/w487-h368/HRBO_5OCT2023_BWHADARK.JPG" width="487" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DARK-MORPH BROAD-WINGED HAWK passes over Ridge on October 5 (Photo: Jess Cosentino)<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A cold front and rain moved in overnight and temperatures plummeted with blustery northwest winds throughout the entire following day (<b>October 6</b>): <i>The recipe for perfect October hawkwatching on the Ridge</i>! There was an early lift off of <b>BROAD-WINGED HAWKS</b> in the morning hours (clearly residual migrants that chose to roost overnight nearby following yesterday's record October flight) with several hundred (420) passing throughout the day which included <b>THREE DARK-MORPHS</b>! Each dark-morph bird was spotted during various lift off flights, which provided excellent views of the birds at a distance before they rose too high in the sky. <b>RED-TAILED HAWKS (248)</b> followed with their own afternoon-dominant flight, while <b>AMERICAN KESTRELS (76)</b> continued to pulse down the Ridge resulting in an excellent day count total (and contributing to what is shaping up to be one of the best season totals ever recorded for this species). The day also began with an incredible non-raptor morning flight, as <b>RUSTY BLACKBIRDS (4107)</b> and <b>AMERICAN ROBIN (5277)</b> pulsed down the shore in the post-dawn hours as distant waves of bird flocks with the lake as the backdrop. For several hours, there was a non-stop stream of blackbirds and robins moving down the lakeshore in dramatic fashion. The day also brought the first migrant <b>AMERICAN CROW (154)</b> groups as well as a few <b>SURF/BLACK SCOTERS (3) </b>resting out on the lake.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXa9T_7U4c8L21WKM2iVAxdEW0xX2tQMu3PK0N4x_71KHpU-E9aeFMUNNb-7kTTy3cTQeB4ORY-2r0hIIsSj0aT9zj1RbKacVyDG58wLFdq1VGLrtZixvrPUVAy6wPT986-jw_b4V_FOosvkXBAbBz7CBMlXAqMhKLfr2D0gQtfbRCciIVSPBncVOix2vF/s2768/HRBO_5OCT2023_RUBL.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2647" data-original-width="2768" height="490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXa9T_7U4c8L21WKM2iVAxdEW0xX2tQMu3PK0N4x_71KHpU-E9aeFMUNNb-7kTTy3cTQeB4ORY-2r0hIIsSj0aT9zj1RbKacVyDG58wLFdq1VGLrtZixvrPUVAy6wPT986-jw_b4V_FOosvkXBAbBz7CBMlXAqMhKLfr2D0gQtfbRCciIVSPBncVOix2vF/w512-h490/HRBO_5OCT2023_RUBL.JPG" width="512" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">RUSTY BLACKBIRD perches before resuming migration on October 5 (Photo: Jess Cosentino)<br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYduehn7mjeLSS9gyYzd3KgTOkDGcYvCL1C9SI_m1KExsYQqsnrW5vuhW_-fvThzxHAPp6zAI8KhEZqilEemJAO3bBHEibU4iCipUq7_g7PfPrDI3t5JO3bBE5nX9MZdJRsgXCUYRyr4R42VKaHHORHzGYDKIgN3QaGQpDWc_oP-i9Eid3QNrRWKXYE6ow/s1444/HRBO_5OCT2023_NOGO.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="906" data-original-width="1444" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYduehn7mjeLSS9gyYzd3KgTOkDGcYvCL1C9SI_m1KExsYQqsnrW5vuhW_-fvThzxHAPp6zAI8KhEZqilEemJAO3bBHEibU4iCipUq7_g7PfPrDI3t5JO3bBE5nX9MZdJRsgXCUYRyr4R42VKaHHORHzGYDKIgN3QaGQpDWc_oP-i9Eid3QNrRWKXYE6ow/w500-h314/HRBO_5OCT2023_NOGO.JPG" width="500" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">AMERICAN GOSHAWK passing close along Ridge on October 5 (Photo: Jess Cosentino)<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><p><span style="font-size: medium;">To cap the first week of the month, <b>October 7</b> ushered in a record-breaking day count of<b> SANDHILL CRANES (1132) </b>as large groups reaching well into the hundreds spread out across the sky<b> </b>throughout the entire count period. This is the highest HRBO day count recorded for this species. It was truly a spectacle to hear the deep, guttural calls ring out from above before looking skyward to see lines of cranes strewn out in all directions. The first large push of migrant <b>TURKEY VULTURES (472)</b> also came throughout the day, as well as good movement of <b>BALD EAGLES (111)</b>, <b>SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS (360)</b>, and more lingering <b>BROAD-WINGED HAWKS (141)</b>. However, the raptor flight on the day was highlighted by the first notable <b>RED-TAILED HAWK (216)</b> push (which included one <b>DARK-MORPH</b>). Two distant migrant <b>BONAPARTE'S GULLS</b> were spotted along the lake later in the day, mixed in among various groups of roosting gulls.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig9GybbqWcjWcvyg6faEyp25e_uPygryR2Tk8-o7rSyelCz6pckRvXOThdcSmZyL0xxuic02b0hw_Mv6evIRLi5s8SwNCEONrln1xPlabKpE8Zy8qQSl3gblSdJI2sguSFHJodPWZUZJki0qoLl5PX13DgaQafj3tZ-Q4NSXyaGZy1zyBdZM4deFFz3nLw/s4966/HRBO_7OCT2023_TUVU(2).JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4966" data-original-width="3785" height="506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig9GybbqWcjWcvyg6faEyp25e_uPygryR2Tk8-o7rSyelCz6pckRvXOThdcSmZyL0xxuic02b0hw_Mv6evIRLi5s8SwNCEONrln1xPlabKpE8Zy8qQSl3gblSdJI2sguSFHJodPWZUZJki0qoLl5PX13DgaQafj3tZ-Q4NSXyaGZy1zyBdZM4deFFz3nLw/w386-h506/HRBO_7OCT2023_TUVU(2).JPG" width="386" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">TURKEY VULTURES lifting off in the morning on October 7 (Photo: Jess Cosentino)<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">What has shaped up to being a wonderful start to October migration continued into the following day (<b>October 8</b>); however, north winds kept migrant raptors incredibly high beginning early in the morning hours and lasted throughout the day. This can often make it challenging to spot raptors in the sky on migration days like this, yet consistent lines of birds continued to make passage directly over the Ridge and along the shore all day. <b>RED-TAILED HAWKS (254)</b> and <b>SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS (250) </b>were on the move early, while another good pulse of migrant <b>TURKEY VULTURES (585)</b> cleared southward. A large raucous group of crows began swirling to the north of the overlook late in the morning before realizing that they were harassing a <b>SHORT-EARED OWL</b>! This is the 3rd SEOW for this fall season and the owl spiraled skyward for well over five minutes before deciding to continue south. Not long following this, another <b>SWAINSON'S HAWK</b> (intermediate juvenile) appeared in the same space of sky among the other migrant raptors while passing directly along the Ridge (4th for this season-to-date). The first migrant <b>NORTHERN SHRIKE</b> of the season charged down the Ridge late in the morning, while the first <b>BOREAL CHICKADEE</b> zipped passed the count platform giving a wheezy call and heading south through the trees. Groups of<b> SNOW (8)</b>, <b>CACKLING</b> <b>(28)</b>, and <b>CANADA GEESE (27) </b>all made passage throughout the day as well.<br /></span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixxuHW_XQvTrPUlt-uVCUf9F6qcdjz8pSx4FbkGY4nOOxhyphenhyphenzai3i-VxG3Q9J8WPYT5J7p_psfYZwMFVMNuhNT_yHp-13p-DsE4FvQg7rRz4RroJZA50TiBxQcMh6gWCRcsa6tQ-jSzK6-yb9Y_Kl-c3QLBsTsVeZmn488wFoICAtvfMc_kVmjpuHqh4LlP/s1042/HRBO_8OCT2023_SEOW.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="712" data-original-width="1042" height="355" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixxuHW_XQvTrPUlt-uVCUf9F6qcdjz8pSx4FbkGY4nOOxhyphenhyphenzai3i-VxG3Q9J8WPYT5J7p_psfYZwMFVMNuhNT_yHp-13p-DsE4FvQg7rRz4RroJZA50TiBxQcMh6gWCRcsa6tQ-jSzK6-yb9Y_Kl-c3QLBsTsVeZmn488wFoICAtvfMc_kVmjpuHqh4LlP/w519-h355/HRBO_8OCT2023_SEOW.JPG" width="519" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">SHORT-EARED OWL passing directly above the Ridge overlook on October 8 (Photo: Jess Cosentino)</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The run of sustained north winds continued through <b>October 9 </b>as raw, blustery northwest winds churned down onto the Ridge and ushered in more migrant birds: Another great day of <b>RED-TAILED HAWK (286)</b> movement (including another <b>DARK-MORPH</b>) and the first <b>GOLDEN EAGLES (2)</b> of the season! The first immature Golden made a quick pass along the west side of the Ridge, while the second appeared to the north later in the day close to 4 PM. It spiraled for several minutes and long enough to shout down to the staff and visitors along the overlook to share in the fantastic views before the large eagle disappeared around the backside of the summit. The second <b>NORTHERN SHRIKE</b> arrived and perched atop a nearby snag, which provided excellent photo opportunities as the cooperative bird browsed the nearby songbird feeders. The feeders also drew in the season's first <b>FOX SPARROW</b> as the chunky bird mixed in among the groups of juncos and sparrows foraging along the ground.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>October 10 </b>began with sustained light drizzle throughout most of the morning hours; however, upon clearing around 10 AM, shuffled south the first migrant <b>ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS</b> of the season! The delicate buteos from the Arctic slowly passed down the Ridge across the cold grey skyscape while the first <b>BOHEMIAN WAXWING </b>of the season did as well. Overall, despite the rainy delayed start, the day also ended with modest <b>SHARP-SHINNED HAWK (110) </b>and <b>RED-TAILED HAWK (187)</b> day counts.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The shift into this new chapter of October is always somewhat bittersweet. The sun arcs just a little lower in the sky each passing day as crystalline frost lines the surfaces outside in the predawn light, while crossing off one more square on the calendar. Many of the migrant birds counted in August and September have likely made dramatic passage south by this point, reaching far away lands well beyond the Ridge. However, this month also provides some of the best hawkwatching opportunities if one is willing to endure the frosty north winds. Rough-Legged and Red-Tailed Hawks coupled with Golden Eagles still linger at northern latitudes, waiting for wind conditions that will funnel them down the lake shores towards Hawk Ridge. Grab a down parka and wool hat and head to the Ridge to enjoy the late season raptor migration yet to come.<br /></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Follow the HRBO count daily here at: https://www.trektellen.org</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Jess Cosentino</span></div><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Lead Counter</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b> </b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b></b></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-n0GaZOaxG8kZ_ixMNXSfUAknWdZ0ux0vh7IQC1PJkRQGs1WNBi5OOWyPnGLHeKsAng84fY1Aly8TRPF5HOco949QGQqsA4G4o835Q-4ErP4rUkat_Cbv8TJoFYTC9FHLk9e-ja7skMbj6ZXmobDmFdEZCwkIOlEKV6Lq2TUY0VnWlWmhjTtFJdXs01Uy/s1075/HRBO_7OCT2023_RTHADARK.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="805" data-original-width="1075" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-n0GaZOaxG8kZ_ixMNXSfUAknWdZ0ux0vh7IQC1PJkRQGs1WNBi5OOWyPnGLHeKsAng84fY1Aly8TRPF5HOco949QGQqsA4G4o835Q-4ErP4rUkat_Cbv8TJoFYTC9FHLk9e-ja7skMbj6ZXmobDmFdEZCwkIOlEKV6Lq2TUY0VnWlWmhjTtFJdXs01Uy/w642-h482/HRBO_7OCT2023_RTHADARK.JPG" width="642" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DARK-MORPH RED-TAILED HAWK passes along Ridge on October 7 (Photo: Jess Cosentino)<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /> </b></span><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghqaJQg10dfmokTpM-CI_GlwfQ8raNKM88RjFVUfc6xWKMKsRMv62fYSBU2EcNSSxuMpOI9lqMgKrKx0ZcsMbbpqC-cOVtaorXzzl6RQQf6hFhNgBAnDzm57Is5T9895Jz3ZkygRPWDxdHjlegAHc96BtE4O4T4jLEP6nEI9ECJ7J7KIqMwjMKgTsACQYi/s6960/IMG_8890.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghqaJQg10dfmokTpM-CI_GlwfQ8raNKM88RjFVUfc6xWKMKsRMv62fYSBU2EcNSSxuMpOI9lqMgKrKx0ZcsMbbpqC-cOVtaorXzzl6RQQf6hFhNgBAnDzm57Is5T9895Jz3ZkygRPWDxdHjlegAHc96BtE4O4T4jLEP6nEI9ECJ7J7KIqMwjMKgTsACQYi/w709-h472/IMG_8890.JPG" width="709" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">NORTHERN FLICKER migrates east of the Ridge on October 7 (Photo: Jess Cosentino)<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /><b> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifrEZ5CX4aX0EXmYyCBEmATHedMJa7B3oW7hC-AwZBvHHfzSx52Il1uMhUccKsZNX4Bb2EmY_HOX8_oUcDcntpzvnG5HinDr482h_IIsBA_wONPN8Kw7KCkNNW3p67KwqqTbFB2A7ESaODaCJ5AQbqsDBbCe36UqY7gwEOgTbvjQETojXJiox3h35_fWaY/s3764/HRBO_3OCT2023_WCSP.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3100" data-original-width="3764" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifrEZ5CX4aX0EXmYyCBEmATHedMJa7B3oW7hC-AwZBvHHfzSx52Il1uMhUccKsZNX4Bb2EmY_HOX8_oUcDcntpzvnG5HinDr482h_IIsBA_wONPN8Kw7KCkNNW3p67KwqqTbFB2A7ESaODaCJ5AQbqsDBbCe36UqY7gwEOgTbvjQETojXJiox3h35_fWaY/w570-h470/HRBO_3OCT2023_WCSP.JPG" width="570" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW visits the nearby feeders on October 3 (Photo: Jess Cosentino)<br /></td></tr></tbody></table></b></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9p_QjU2PjY68Tu45eMpzqcA7k5jJfxxfjqHCHzZ5iRC9pSvUBn1RwrcSW2Fq7E5T9w0Dy96fuYCgggOvZ6wQ1t69vufPtyiR3tymoYfCSBmMA42FjVW5XA5fwmkoFZU3BelRURZ43R7yB6wg6fe8OaT7ZzwwtfX5XYSzIP4FtFdlU3LP135W_bxsY9zX-/s4207/HRBO_2OCT2023_SSHA.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2663" data-original-width="4207" height="449" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9p_QjU2PjY68Tu45eMpzqcA7k5jJfxxfjqHCHzZ5iRC9pSvUBn1RwrcSW2Fq7E5T9w0Dy96fuYCgggOvZ6wQ1t69vufPtyiR3tymoYfCSBmMA42FjVW5XA5fwmkoFZU3BelRURZ43R7yB6wg6fe8OaT7ZzwwtfX5XYSzIP4FtFdlU3LP135W_bxsY9zX-/w708-h449/HRBO_2OCT2023_SSHA.JPG" width="708" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SHARP-SHINNED HAWK passes below the Ridge on October 2 (Photo: Jess Cosentino)<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /><b><br /></b></span><p></p>Jess Cosentinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04916069395367500491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5922014117958172534.post-25581994193053369722023-10-04T21:08:00.007-05:002023-10-04T21:08:57.963-05:00Notes from the Ridge: Fall Migration Count 2023 (September 21 - September 30)<p><span style="font-size: medium;">The final weeks of September on <b>Hawk Ridge </b>brought a wave of east winds which spanned nearly every day until the month came to an end. These are winds that funnel in off of Lake Superior, often bringing with them damp air and dense foggy conditions, all while being effective at pushing migrant birds inland and away from the Ridge. While some of the days during this stretch did produce interesting migration counts, there was an abundance of poor weather conditions that simply made for poor migration overall. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>September 21</b> was one of the final big migration days of the month before a series of poor weather (see: rain and fog) dramatically slowed the momentum. We were fortunate to have long-time Hawk Ridge alumni, Erik Bruhnke, assisting with covering the count for the day, which brought a fantastic non-raptor flight. The first noteworthy wave of migrant <b>YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS (867)</b> began to pour south throughout the count - another sure sign of the gradual transition into later stages of fall migration as these are generally some of the final migrant warblers to pass along the Ridge. Additionally, the day saw a stellar flight of <b>YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKERS (30) </b>as the slender woodpeckers dashed southward throughout the sky while flashing a brilliant white slash in the wings to announce their arrival. The <b>BLUE JAY (3101)</b> momentum continued steadily, further contributing to what has been a record-breaking season count for this species so far (!), as well as the first noticeable push of migrant <b>RUSTY BLACKBIRDS (281)</b>. The raptor flight gradually gained momentum later in the day, with <b>SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS (380)</b> comprising the bulk of the movement; however, a nice push of <b>PEREGRINE FALCONS (12)</b> was promising as this is the time of year when largest flights of this species generally occur (especially in the presence of south winds).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5k3yaQ1xVqcyerg8ZGAuKOGgTPHcmWjz8sTUGs3SPXDNyjMhlvAM_ZiPIcEnDducQRoUDhYsbK5aa5s8iLSgll6CKs3u843SEY4Z9LMOZCr-8gtTwC2fuBBTBv7lv7yFf3QaQd4nF-oUyaey6uhKafvoADpNnfsT7TjhKesSA1ZW3wcYimgd1mQpS-QN6/s1057/HRBO_21SEPT2023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="955" data-original-width="1057" height="504" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5k3yaQ1xVqcyerg8ZGAuKOGgTPHcmWjz8sTUGs3SPXDNyjMhlvAM_ZiPIcEnDducQRoUDhYsbK5aa5s8iLSgll6CKs3u843SEY4Z9LMOZCr-8gtTwC2fuBBTBv7lv7yFf3QaQd4nF-oUyaey6uhKafvoADpNnfsT7TjhKesSA1ZW3wcYimgd1mQpS-QN6/w558-h504/HRBO_21SEPT2023.JPG" width="558" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adult <b>PEREGRINE FALCON</b> migrates along Ridge on September 21<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB7nktcCItQdGOs48cx3WCJEzvNauPy-jNL0DqITtZYXELbTvOFp2K7g14HIe81QITw1kJC6sHfpLP00xD_7sv_AZtRcD3AKLgXiMzO5QY4BidczIAIToZW_92mEp2_Zg21SqRoN2GmqcBAUpOHnKlH6MZuaty_1CeOW9-pZAMyOad0SQhAOUbqgvmagrI/s4074/HRBO_21SEPT2023_BWHA.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2575" data-original-width="4074" height="355" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB7nktcCItQdGOs48cx3WCJEzvNauPy-jNL0DqITtZYXELbTvOFp2K7g14HIe81QITw1kJC6sHfpLP00xD_7sv_AZtRcD3AKLgXiMzO5QY4BidczIAIToZW_92mEp2_Zg21SqRoN2GmqcBAUpOHnKlH6MZuaty_1CeOW9-pZAMyOad0SQhAOUbqgvmagrI/w563-h355/HRBO_21SEPT2023_BWHA.JPG" width="563" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adult <b>BROAD-WINGED HAWK</b> circling over the platform on September 21<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZmTaGoJqkQBfd7vYwhZDj4oAo8hque84OwFsde84txTCrMAizMqqgrP9CmmplsJCal1fCFouiGdGiQoznC2ea-DRA0KYE_onw_rBrHQW6k9gw6dN0dF0I8cFARi99UiGcCR5fkfsibSRb5nG-NxlYpuN0kMfSflfnVf-c4uNchmypmKPK1U8KzRhrIjbu/s2591/HRBO_21SEPT2023_COHA.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1624" data-original-width="2591" height="325" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZmTaGoJqkQBfd7vYwhZDj4oAo8hque84OwFsde84txTCrMAizMqqgrP9CmmplsJCal1fCFouiGdGiQoznC2ea-DRA0KYE_onw_rBrHQW6k9gw6dN0dF0I8cFARi99UiGcCR5fkfsibSRb5nG-NxlYpuN0kMfSflfnVf-c4uNchmypmKPK1U8KzRhrIjbu/w518-h325/HRBO_21SEPT2023_COHA.JPG" width="518" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Immature <b>COOPER'S HAWK </b>passes over the overlook on September 21<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIe0kGF_Ku2X8tum3fYIRqyki6qYPvQa1z2oaNmdZRZadFJ3G4sLHtF4h3AWiWOZAGShxSFtql5uqXFava2HqeooWOFtV947_D6_cFpGOTh9hWO1SULyZFgJRCOmGAPLm7vMNw5drbCn8tKhLDdzLz64Ze3fWlU5qI5aM8RHdX_3WmI4t3IF4y0V1dBOIT/s6050/HRBO_21SEPT2023_SACR.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2851" data-original-width="6050" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIe0kGF_Ku2X8tum3fYIRqyki6qYPvQa1z2oaNmdZRZadFJ3G4sLHtF4h3AWiWOZAGShxSFtql5uqXFava2HqeooWOFtV947_D6_cFpGOTh9hWO1SULyZFgJRCOmGAPLm7vMNw5drbCn8tKhLDdzLz64Ze3fWlU5qI5aM8RHdX_3WmI4t3IF4y0V1dBOIT/w522-h246/HRBO_21SEPT2023_SACR.JPG" width="522" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Migrant <b>SANDHILL CRANES </b>pass along the Ridge on September 21<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The follow day (<b>September 22</b>) saw decent raptor movement in the hours immediately following sunrise; however, dense fog moved in off of the lake with assistance from east winds and enveloped the entire Ridge. With less than 200 meters of visibility in all directions for several hours, attempting to conduct the count proved challenging; however, <b>SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS</b> continued to dart out of the low cloud bank and pass overhead for a glimpse before disappearing down the Ridge into the ethereal wall of grey fog, like apparitions of the sky. (<i>A total of 593 Sharp-shinned Hawks would pass throughout the day with practically no visibility to count with!</i>). Other highlights on the day included (1) a late migrant <b>BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO</b> which flushed out from the vegetation to the north of the platform, passing low through the bushes before disappearing to the south and (2) continued steady <b>BLUE JAY</b> momentum with another <b>1002 </b>moving down the shore before visibility was disrupted. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKT9oMdBi8-avHFI4uhx0_S_Tm6G-wAzNC9N1o56zozlotD9WeyX5AjdgSJkQjIHOVSNNF7AmoYbYZbvkqOKMQ1svZxGkLPC0SUAbfPTkg307iJtHBM_WadIu3n2fLcvWd8j-TxjrVh8Keq1a3Y_wD5-qfvsN-H-q2cYYaushx9XZqONpHIDy3HJXe_hON/s1495/HRBO_22SEPT2023_RHWO.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="968" data-original-width="1495" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKT9oMdBi8-avHFI4uhx0_S_Tm6G-wAzNC9N1o56zozlotD9WeyX5AjdgSJkQjIHOVSNNF7AmoYbYZbvkqOKMQ1svZxGkLPC0SUAbfPTkg307iJtHBM_WadIu3n2fLcvWd8j-TxjrVh8Keq1a3Y_wD5-qfvsN-H-q2cYYaushx9XZqONpHIDy3HJXe_hON/w466-h301/HRBO_22SEPT2023_RHWO.JPG" width="466" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>RED-HEADED WOODPECKER</b> passing along the Ridge on September 22<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQC-HKLlDpMtt7wJrDh5NU7HOnosYqHIOhUxYOToKDKwF_Bt8H30XJygKJ13seK7fPJ0OV8jZP0TpFMV9g8uuJ5PCDUawNChyvBC0CAwyGIJV3La-9RmBFn2tQ3bBZF7aAurBt2g2vZAa3ygD03h71MsDnGPl30evQBDMVkPQgtrtL7kVHDmTiHjOAnDMR/s4741/HRBO_22SEPT2023_SACR.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2132" data-original-width="4741" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQC-HKLlDpMtt7wJrDh5NU7HOnosYqHIOhUxYOToKDKwF_Bt8H30XJygKJ13seK7fPJ0OV8jZP0TpFMV9g8uuJ5PCDUawNChyvBC0CAwyGIJV3La-9RmBFn2tQ3bBZF7aAurBt2g2vZAa3ygD03h71MsDnGPl30evQBDMVkPQgtrtL7kVHDmTiHjOAnDMR/w517-h233/HRBO_22SEPT2023_SACR.JPG" width="517" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A group of <b>SANDHILL CRANES</b> migrating along the lake shore in the foggy mist on September 22<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>September 23 </b>was mostly rained out, but a brief pocket of dry sky allowed for a couple hours of counting, including a single migrant <b>OSPREY</b> pushing itself soggily through the light, cold drizzle as well as a few more <b>SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS</b>. While precipitation can make observing and documenting bird migration challenging-to-nearly impossible from a human perspective, it is days like this that stand testament to the perseverance of migrant birds willing and capable of enduring any and all conditions to continue their journeys. The next day (<b>September 24</b>) was continued rain out until the afternoon hours, which cleared up briefly but still retained blustery, raw east winds off of the lake. This did not stop a handful of migrant raptors from being tallied from the Ridge: <i>Eight raptor species total! </i>A mix of <b>PEREGRINE FALCONS, OSPREY, SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS, AMERICAN KESTRELS</b>, among other species all seemed to take immediate advantage of the passage of the rain in order to cover more ground south before the day's end.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>September 25</b> continued the trend of east winds off the lake, yet managed to a sizeable number of <b>OSPREY (12), SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS (174), NORTHERN HARRIERS (22), AMERICAN KESTRELS (12) </b>and some other raptor species made passage south throughout the day. Despite east winds persisting into <b>September 26</b>, there was a good <b>SHARP-SHINNED HAWK </b>flight <b>(677)</b> as well as a single <b>AMERICAN GOSHAWK</b> and a few hundred <b>BROAD-WINGED HAWKS (158). </b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9FZu0THr_yQSYCtKjO7UbFyUxtM38BYP6lsSF8YLouVnd01ZQMox2Ab_esBtpef0Zw275-An5fIbISfO4i7pU6PmUoeTm1-YsJMDtWYRR7_kVwbD_0pIXpQ0n-0fkUxoPx97gcPdurDcT3jIt8r9DvAQz8M2JXJ7KFMItmQ0odpcGU8QhhBDoRo6mm6tM/s3003/HRBO_26SEPT2023_BAEA.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2572" data-original-width="3003" height="451" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9FZu0THr_yQSYCtKjO7UbFyUxtM38BYP6lsSF8YLouVnd01ZQMox2Ab_esBtpef0Zw275-An5fIbISfO4i7pU6PmUoeTm1-YsJMDtWYRR7_kVwbD_0pIXpQ0n-0fkUxoPx97gcPdurDcT3jIt8r9DvAQz8M2JXJ7KFMItmQ0odpcGU8QhhBDoRo6mm6tM/w527-h451/HRBO_26SEPT2023_BAEA.JPG" width="527" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sub-adult <b>BALD EAGLE</b> passes over the Ridge on September 26<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0IcMfUY4UxkSyIzG_eVOkk1On1WdsPgeNHV-ESfaFznrE7695yZ7GaSl4kuvg2fgsCmjbYjESkwlPWjeralCx81Y2uzXUiZmHDlrCHtDYQDoIbXHNojU183ebBX_9yk4Btw-UatOuRQU4yHKbVQt0HpdL8ZVEjYiZFEz1sJjTG3eVlArKspts1H2Nd4b_/s1410/HRBO_26SEPT2023_PEFA.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1053" data-original-width="1410" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0IcMfUY4UxkSyIzG_eVOkk1On1WdsPgeNHV-ESfaFznrE7695yZ7GaSl4kuvg2fgsCmjbYjESkwlPWjeralCx81Y2uzXUiZmHDlrCHtDYQDoIbXHNojU183ebBX_9yk4Btw-UatOuRQU4yHKbVQt0HpdL8ZVEjYiZFEz1sJjTG3eVlArKspts1H2Nd4b_/w416-h311/HRBO_26SEPT2023_PEFA.JPG" width="416" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adult <b>PEREGRINE FALCON</b> migrates over Ridge on September 26<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>September 27 </b>continued the slower migration pace as result of the east winds. The following day (<b>September 28</b>) began with the excitement of an <b>AMERICAN WOODCOCK </b>whizzing around the platform throughout the quiet darkness of morning in the minutes before sunrise! <b>BLUE JAY</b> momentum has waned somewhat, yet continued throughout the day with an addition <b>625</b> - <i>Each triple- and four-digit day count further contributing to a new season HRBO site record for this species!</i></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i> </i><b>September 29</b> was another slow flight with more east winds; however, the final day of the month (<b>September 30</b>) brought an incredible flight of <b>AMERICAN ROBINS (13,224)</b>! The day began fogged in with limited visibility but, immediately following the break in the low cloud ceiling, a wall of robins began to pour southward along the lake shore.<i> </i>Migrant <b>SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS (330)</b> were pushing south throughout the period of clear skies as well, but the wall of robins was an impressive display of passerine migration unfolding overhead. At times, entire groups of one-thousand or more robins would slowly pass along the lake shore, but several hundred more would be simultaneously pulsing their way low over the Ridge. The constant chatter of hand<i> </i>clicks attempting to quantify the number of birds passing by ultimately tallied more <b>AMERICAN ROBINS</b> in a single day on September 30 than<i> </i>all of last year's count combined!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The end of September was a challenging stretch to endure, but migration highlights still prevailed. As we slowly enter into October, we look ahead to the<i> late season raptor migrants: </i><b>RED-TAILED HAWKS, ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS, and GOLDEN EAGLES </b>all still have big migration days left ahead to be enjoyed along the Ridge!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Follow the HRBO count daily here at: https://www.trektellen.org</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Jess Cosentino</span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Lead Counter</b></span><p> </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Jess Cosentinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04916069395367500491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5922014117958172534.post-85910092227253918912023-09-25T22:31:00.053-05:002023-09-25T23:47:47.426-05:00Notes from the Ridge: Fall Migration Count 2023 (September 11 - September 20)<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Fall migration along <b>Hawk Ridge </b>unfolds like a familiar book, with each passing day and week revealing a new chapter of that story. The passage of time - alternation of day and night - brings new waves of migrant birds on their southward journeys, each carrying their own unique stories with them as they move along the lake shore and continue onward to far away places. The prologue to this book may begin somewhere around early and late August, titled "<i>A Farewell to Summer</i>", while the middle of September is where the first real chapters of fall migration begin to find their way onto the unseen pages. As the slow approach towards the autumn equinox while foliage along the north shore gently paints itself familiar shades of yellows and red, the first half of this month is truly an exciting time in this book: <i>where the fabric of migration feels more and more tangible with each sunrise and sunset.</i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>September 11 </b>began with the excitement of an incredibly close <b>SHORT-EARED OWL </b>(2nd of this fall count) rising over the treeline and spending several minutes circling slowly directly above the overlook! One of the few diurnally active owl species observed along the Ridge, the large owl gave a brilliant show to the large crowd gathering below along the road with deep, rhythmic wing beats and seemingly effortless cadence before heading out southwards towards the lake shore. The momentum of the <b>BLUE JAY</b> migration along the shore line and Ridge continued with <b>6651</b> migrants recorded throughout the day, as well as another migrant <b>BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKER (!) </b>and an earlier arriving migrant <b>DARK-EYED JUNCO</b> for the fall season. Several hundred <b>SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS (480) </b>pushed down the Ridge before isolated thunderstorms arrived from the southwest and temporarily paused the count for several hours to wait out the deluge of rain.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVxc6rTZwEkukrvPT4QLNEwpD90G8XBvkmhtoNzVEeMr1J3y90GFJZ_yXvXF9bI3URUz31QR0hM5ryTwEUCvib8A35XYujR0X16bGJKisfRyB1andY9u1kOcjAI2Rsz6fNbVdpwABfTy5xjeEIzmvPAVoCo6ISt0s5ANeqOYYa_L38jR-qOwZ6bv0xEAqC/s974/HRBO_11SEPT2023_SEOW1.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="714" data-original-width="974" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVxc6rTZwEkukrvPT4QLNEwpD90G8XBvkmhtoNzVEeMr1J3y90GFJZ_yXvXF9bI3URUz31QR0hM5ryTwEUCvib8A35XYujR0X16bGJKisfRyB1andY9u1kOcjAI2Rsz6fNbVdpwABfTy5xjeEIzmvPAVoCo6ISt0s5ANeqOYYa_L38jR-qOwZ6bv0xEAqC/s320/HRBO_11SEPT2023_SEOW1.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzRhSM6nc6Bu8oyK0hXwTqyt8ygEStMxLUxqk9i6dMcm53-6hssfrZ421-Sw_DB1h3ndSwo9aD2y42nTsHb5Y4gZiP3oJ7wj96Hl6Nn6WpWE-Qe1ynPg9TAUx-ldnMG-FIgeb3vPLoJh4wO_IsdE9qr7nzfTFVQtX9FOHiBuqcsddT8jd5unRu3tPR0lFu/s949/HRBO_11SEPT2023_SEOW2.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="650" data-original-width="949" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzRhSM6nc6Bu8oyK0hXwTqyt8ygEStMxLUxqk9i6dMcm53-6hssfrZ421-Sw_DB1h3ndSwo9aD2y42nTsHb5Y4gZiP3oJ7wj96Hl6Nn6WpWE-Qe1ynPg9TAUx-ldnMG-FIgeb3vPLoJh4wO_IsdE9qr7nzfTFVQtX9FOHiBuqcsddT8jd5unRu3tPR0lFu/s320/HRBO_11SEPT2023_SEOW2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A southbound SHORT-EARED OWL migrating low over the Ridge in the late morning hours on September 11 (Photo: Jess Cosentino)</span><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span><br /></span></b></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></b></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></b></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />The following day (<b>September 12</b>) had a delayed start to the count due to light rain and a thick layer of fog enveloping the Ridge; however, as the weather began to clear by 8 AM a flurry of raptor migrants began to pour south out of the low cloud bank! A huge <b>SHARP-SHINNED HAWK</b> push began almost minutes following the final rain drops. The tiny accipiters were darting from the sky in all directions in succession - singles, pairs, small groups - until a total of <b>448</b> in just a few hours along the Ridge and shore. In addition, the first noticeable push of <b>BROAD-WINGED HAWKS</b> (<b>525</b>) came as well in the hours following the passage of rain as the small buteos approach their peak window of migration along the north shore of Lake Superior. It's incredible how responsive migrant birds can be to shifting weather patterns when they have the urge to move, and today was a great example of this. The day also saw great movement of <b>PINE SISKINS (484) </b>as large groups of the small, frenetic finches were tallied passing south along the Ridge in the final hours of the count. Late in the day, two large groups of <b>AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS </b>passed along the lake shore, totaling <b>172 </b>by the end of the count! Beyond the birds, today also marked the arrival of long-time HRBO volunteer and friend - <i>Russ Edmonds</i> (of Brimley, MI). Russ is on the Board of Directors with Macinac Straits Hawkwatch and has a rich history tied with HRBO, dating back to the mid-1990s. He has dedicated much of this time every fall since to assist with the count, public outreach, and other facets that help make Hawk Ridge run successfully each fall. It was great to have Russ back on the platform for the next week!<br /></span><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6CW1t4NCK3sjY4QMVXIB2IM00jRiz11t6ki2YI6Dl2V-JQf7poT38RPKD3XoDBI9FGeb72XCdNhzkiKsBd7mqqaOHIwCVlKKAc61snf4o8SVJflwIvGnrU_slC-j1jGy9Tk4RIVPt4ukduJOM0uCTM5GVxxF1pYXl77h5LUIA5V8XZX_FUUUfwASfUR9g/s4546/HRBO_12SEPT2023_AMWP.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1893" data-original-width="4546" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6CW1t4NCK3sjY4QMVXIB2IM00jRiz11t6ki2YI6Dl2V-JQf7poT38RPKD3XoDBI9FGeb72XCdNhzkiKsBd7mqqaOHIwCVlKKAc61snf4o8SVJflwIvGnrU_slC-j1jGy9Tk4RIVPt4ukduJOM0uCTM5GVxxF1pYXl77h5LUIA5V8XZX_FUUUfwASfUR9g/w451-h187/HRBO_12SEPT2023_AMWP.JPG" width="451" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Large group of AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS migrating along the lake shore while passing the Ridge on September 12 (Photo: Jess Cosentino)</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">The robust <b>BLUE JAY</b> migration momentum remained consistent through <b>September 13 </b>with another near five-digit daily total (<b>9466</b>) as well as another migrant <b>BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKER</b> (a life-bird for Russ!), The following day (<b>September 14</b>) ushered in another<b> </b>Black-backed down the Rige as well as four other migrant woodpecker species on the day: The largest <b>NORTHERN FLICKER</b> flight (<b>17</b>) on the season to date and another<b> RED-HEADED WOODPECKER</b>, which adds to what is shaping up to be a fantastic fall count for this species (nearing 20 migrants already!). While the day was somewhat lower on raptor movement, it did also bring the first <b>CLAY-COLORED SPARROW </b>of the fall to the feeders near the count platform as well as the first southbound <b>PHILADELPHIA VIREO</b>.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjixalZMZeQifIZJAvLOJ-nrz1VZWoXmaM0A00Hv5MNgH_ALkWF0l2O_Qo1QpSUeWPKYqt4-3t8U0UlJELd-A44G3gy8uIjndFFglf-HGc0SDMDB3-9i58l9__6wt6xJgjccWS83S9lr3FrJOY3TJsKffLWpiBiHWnvOEBy7bxy8EVPs7AMjysQy1zdQXyk/s1908/HRBO_13SEPT2023_CCSP.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1190" data-original-width="1908" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjixalZMZeQifIZJAvLOJ-nrz1VZWoXmaM0A00Hv5MNgH_ALkWF0l2O_Qo1QpSUeWPKYqt4-3t8U0UlJELd-A44G3gy8uIjndFFglf-HGc0SDMDB3-9i58l9__6wt6xJgjccWS83S9lr3FrJOY3TJsKffLWpiBiHWnvOEBy7bxy8EVPs7AMjysQy1zdQXyk/w407-h254/HRBO_13SEPT2023_CCSP.JPG" width="407" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The first CLAY-COLORED SPARROW of the fall 2023 season seen feeding on seeds at the platform feeders near the count platform on September 14 (Photo: Jess Cosentino)</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>September 15 </b>marked the kick-off to the <b><u>Annual HRBO Hawk Weekend Festival</u></b>! The three-day event enjoyed impressive migration days as well as fantastic social events, owl programs, field trips, and guest speaker, Dr. Laurie Goodrich (Sarkis Acopian Director of Conservation Science - Hawk Mountain). While the day brought west winds and good migrant raptor diversity (<b><i>11 species</i></b>), it seemed as though the passage of yesterday's cold front had not quite motivate birds to push south just yet. However, this changed abruptly the next day (<b>September 16</b>) as northwest winds continued to bellow out of the northern forests - bringing with them the largest raptor migration day count of the season! The waves of <b>BROAD-WINGED HAWK</b> kettles pulsed through the skies for hours as <b>4601</b> made passage over the day. Migration highlights included: (<i>1</i>) the largest <b>SHARP-SHINNED HAWK</b> (<b>1412</b>) and <b>AMERICAN KESTREL</b> (<b>281</b>) day counts of the season-to-date (first four-digit day count of the fall for this species), (<i>2</i>) a continuation of great <b>PINE SISKIN </b>(<b>1154</b>) and <b>PURPLE FINCH </b>(<b>806</b>) movement down the shore, (3) with a <b>BLACK-BILLED MAGPIE</b> <b>(!) </b>mixed in with the five-digit <b>BLUE JAY </b>day count (<b>10540</b>)(<b>!!!</b>), (4) and the first good push of earlier migrant <b>RED-TAILED HAWK</b> (<b>37</b>) movement this fall. <i>A very genuine sign of gratitude to both Frank Nicoletti and Stephen Nelson for assisting with covering the count during these two days</i>.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4MuVtmyKwoueDPLi--s2oOw09wOx4nF8WXB7uGry14lULR5HfNgVGyxIk22DUAPUqPf94ImtNKEukpKPDTUi6d8ISpJZTrgrhpoI99L-W__r2bmq-NqZ7PZJ5KysVwkOMP4pjsmzbCzvKECwHZcrnTiGlpmt9Bgdv0elpWwT9s_bQIwF0vISRJ6TqQucF/s1280/1F01E5C5-35A9-4943-9E38-CA2F71187FFD.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="958" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4MuVtmyKwoueDPLi--s2oOw09wOx4nF8WXB7uGry14lULR5HfNgVGyxIk22DUAPUqPf94ImtNKEukpKPDTUi6d8ISpJZTrgrhpoI99L-W__r2bmq-NqZ7PZJ5KysVwkOMP4pjsmzbCzvKECwHZcrnTiGlpmt9Bgdv0elpWwT9s_bQIwF0vISRJ6TqQucF/s320/1F01E5C5-35A9-4943-9E38-CA2F71187FFD.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">HRBO counters scan the skies relentlessly for Broad-winged Hawk kettles and other migrant birds on September 16 (L-R: Stephen Nelson, Sean McLaughlin, Russ Edmonds, Photo: Sara Depew)</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Z3hOfb3yL1_R6X01FJ3hKqieDSOrbnnbKILCgtsxdosZC3z6-iSFt8BwwiMtwop6JPVMUf1Frt6qV2xHCkCKvERmCx42ucdZkumHvX3zjzEfTFFxImj23JO8Yf3kM9uEP0ngLA4mwa9U3ntyGfmMoRX6Lk74sn9Jiw97Ta7U56wEcHGfpJKdggGBEVJR/s1792/HRBO_17SEPT2023_BWHA.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1564" data-original-width="1792" height="385" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Z3hOfb3yL1_R6X01FJ3hKqieDSOrbnnbKILCgtsxdosZC3z6-iSFt8BwwiMtwop6JPVMUf1Frt6qV2xHCkCKvERmCx42ucdZkumHvX3zjzEfTFFxImj23JO8Yf3kM9uEP0ngLA4mwa9U3ntyGfmMoRX6Lk74sn9Jiw97Ta7U56wEcHGfpJKdggGBEVJR/w442-h385/HRBO_17SEPT2023_BWHA.JPG" width="442" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">An adult BROAD-WINGED HAWK migrates south down the Ridge on September 17 among the many thousands of the kettles observed over the weekend (Photo: Jess Cosentino)</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></div><p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>September 17</b> saw the first large groups of<b> LAPLAND LONGSPUR</b> (<b>169</b>) pushing south - a sure sign of winter's impending arrival as the High Arctic breeding birds continue to pour out of the northern latitudes and make passage along the Ridge for more southerly climates. While <b>SHARP-SHINNED HAWK</b> (<b>600</b>) movement remained steady, the migration highlight on the day was: <b>BLUE JAYS! </b>The <i><b>9th blue jay day count on the season-to-date exceeding four-digits</b></i> (two of those being five-digit counts: September 10 and 16) pushed steadily down the shoreline and ridge throughout the day. <b><i>This day was also special as it</i></b> <i><b>broke the previous HRBO site record for Blue Jays counted in a day</b></i>, which was set last year (2022) at <b>60,523!</b> The 2022 record was set several weeks later into the fall which leaves ample time to continue to add to that record-breaking season total with the weeks to come.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwXH4rsnAykOPkDXulVhHaRV7f6eYyrPr8IlzpkOnRj9yiNJdCjCAM372jpWod0YQMz-dsYf6MsT15BYbQknymTSguXNYeVjAjAsIRAJVPnkxKcyOU5mcM-DGVJBLzwEKcjOQ2Hy06f1LdiqPNGDWGJvRHDf-P6ByTj3K395WVNRWFLM8-V2G7p7H_jYjj/s1221/HRBO_19SEPT2023_BLJA.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="901" data-original-width="1221" height="324" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwXH4rsnAykOPkDXulVhHaRV7f6eYyrPr8IlzpkOnRj9yiNJdCjCAM372jpWod0YQMz-dsYf6MsT15BYbQknymTSguXNYeVjAjAsIRAJVPnkxKcyOU5mcM-DGVJBLzwEKcjOQ2Hy06f1LdiqPNGDWGJvRHDf-P6ByTj3K395WVNRWFLM8-V2G7p7H_jYjj/w439-h324/HRBO_19SEPT2023_BLJA.JPG" width="439" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A migrant BLUE JAY passes the Ridge on September 11 - one of the many
birds counted this fall that have contributed to setting a new HRBO site season record!
(Photo: Jess Cosentino)</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The next day (<b>September 18</b>) brought the first migrant <b>SNOW GEESE</b> of the season as a small group of birds passed high along the Ridge, while another <b>BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKER</b> and five-digit<b> BLUE JAY</b> (<b>1412</b>) day count pushed south along the tree lines.<b> September 19 </b>brought more east winds which did not promote tremendous raptor movement; however, several hundred <b>SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS</b> (<b>201</b>) did move while <b>BLUE JAY</b> (<b>2351</b>) numbers remained consistently high. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB3uuQ8hRBlKCncp5WuksZYumzD1uq9PCxJwV4HFwGd9nPSrDg2uNdFHSUf4gl0aLcrBtdpHOfYntCmMYY7qeeIaIipkbhQbGZjsb7IkWCFiUD6WU7btul57nGBxNJ9wUvO7IUvUdsrURtNnvGnv4gC7w0CzKz8VMDt7lLPirgy4cOaTvauyL-sj3m8B1q/s1691/HRBO_18SEPT2023_SNOG.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1040" data-original-width="1691" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB3uuQ8hRBlKCncp5WuksZYumzD1uq9PCxJwV4HFwGd9nPSrDg2uNdFHSUf4gl0aLcrBtdpHOfYntCmMYY7qeeIaIipkbhQbGZjsb7IkWCFiUD6WU7btul57nGBxNJ9wUvO7IUvUdsrURtNnvGnv4gC7w0CzKz8VMDt7lLPirgy4cOaTvauyL-sj3m8B1q/s320/HRBO_18SEPT2023_SNOG.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SNOW GEESE migrating directly over the Ridge on September 18 (Photo: Jess Cosentino)<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Southeast winds persisted into <b>September 20</b> yet saw a trio of <b>PEREGRINE FALCONS</b> push into the moderate headwinds while <b>BLUE JAYS</b> (<b>1429</b>) continue to pass as small, spaced out dots on the skyscape - a dynamic game of <i>connect-the-dots</i> fluttering down the shore line with flapping, emphatic wingbeats and cacophonous chatter.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The pages of this fall migration continue to be written each day along the Ridge. The days are getting shorter, leaves more red and yellow. The air will be crisp in a few more passing weeks so make the trip up to experience the beautiful spectacle of the natural world that is bird migration before it has ended for this autumn.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIhLDo2fiVK0JoguIyi9-fHaUfR9lGgGWmMxVvbqbjE26TDZ2gYZo05U2g0S4CPj_bxTAvm34lqtNXqpzb-n_L_Cm1IKcobKarE6S_jBQiag64J1Zltrzk1PVhaYeJBq0Oc7LaXVebtMoAAgmxDf-qja4ofXza8xcs4SeDS0UGxlfipHKktDq4TiqBhUzK/s1119/HRBO_20SEPT2023_PEFA.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="515" data-original-width="1119" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIhLDo2fiVK0JoguIyi9-fHaUfR9lGgGWmMxVvbqbjE26TDZ2gYZo05U2g0S4CPj_bxTAvm34lqtNXqpzb-n_L_Cm1IKcobKarE6S_jBQiag64J1Zltrzk1PVhaYeJBq0Oc7LaXVebtMoAAgmxDf-qja4ofXza8xcs4SeDS0UGxlfipHKktDq4TiqBhUzK/w482-h221/HRBO_20SEPT2023_PEFA.JPG" width="482" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PEREGRINE FALCON migrates along the west side of the Ridge with a full crop on September 20 (Photo: Jess Cosentino)<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Follow the HRBO count daily here at: https://www.trektellen.org</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Jess Cosentino</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Lead Counter </b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>The following photos were taken during the HRBO count between September 11-20 (Photos by Jess Cosentino)</i>:<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU0cxKJeVH5zRjNmt1F55dbgpWfR3C19_OEf8TEupUZB2H11Rv8sAvccBnH4SCYEwTv3M1mhAHut_MPk929hDMxHTc0pZFiK9Y64qf3BFkBbf6JH9-Evnz8rrkbqaOfupqviImpaf5n00G5ltZL9e_z_qb91otrPDgIdvCAJN340KhuBiBr1YcBHcPIa4U/s1662/HRBO_11SEPT2023_AMKE.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1170" data-original-width="1662" height="329" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU0cxKJeVH5zRjNmt1F55dbgpWfR3C19_OEf8TEupUZB2H11Rv8sAvccBnH4SCYEwTv3M1mhAHut_MPk929hDMxHTc0pZFiK9Y64qf3BFkBbf6JH9-Evnz8rrkbqaOfupqviImpaf5n00G5ltZL9e_z_qb91otrPDgIdvCAJN340KhuBiBr1YcBHcPIa4U/w467-h329/HRBO_11SEPT2023_AMKE.JPG" width="467" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">American Kestrel, September 11</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtCgnuzN5E21HZ3RfkWp2dVr0FLRoeLmm2MiTYd_n4PTuVV3P6Aan86kVKeQXFUfkwhm8JGKoSmRp0dT3zJSfXYC6zhjmmfrFoiquTJyNdHV4cv4PlZbOvAJ065AWA8TlTgATd_371fY5HuSkLyCz4luBN5pSvgExySZtUlomJ6lvaZpDHMoTJuzI4zPTi/s904/HRBO_14SEPT2023_NOHA.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="758" data-original-width="904" height="459" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtCgnuzN5E21HZ3RfkWp2dVr0FLRoeLmm2MiTYd_n4PTuVV3P6Aan86kVKeQXFUfkwhm8JGKoSmRp0dT3zJSfXYC6zhjmmfrFoiquTJyNdHV4cv4PlZbOvAJ065AWA8TlTgATd_371fY5HuSkLyCz4luBN5pSvgExySZtUlomJ6lvaZpDHMoTJuzI4zPTi/w548-h459/HRBO_14SEPT2023_NOHA.JPG" width="548" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Northern Harrier, September 14</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6VoflrniNb_srzpEP4XF-uKz2A7JiGO-bC0EdZYByY6M1EWqmF2KYMGoTRpAAj2NNApwh4EeRgkis4q6lVzvDlqb8tyHECktF4VCJm121qk0d7Zbbcc_sDdyAblyLw8GC9G1tZ9sIrxPb2Dw2_BIhOrBNvgigeflNblEzzNEnCYYK6z-VbkWOczhBC6EY/s1372/HRBO_18SEPT2023_BAEA.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1287" data-original-width="1372" height="503" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6VoflrniNb_srzpEP4XF-uKz2A7JiGO-bC0EdZYByY6M1EWqmF2KYMGoTRpAAj2NNApwh4EeRgkis4q6lVzvDlqb8tyHECktF4VCJm121qk0d7Zbbcc_sDdyAblyLw8GC9G1tZ9sIrxPb2Dw2_BIhOrBNvgigeflNblEzzNEnCYYK6z-VbkWOczhBC6EY/w537-h503/HRBO_18SEPT2023_BAEA.JPG" width="537" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Bald Eagle, September 18</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><br /><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy2zoyhMh0JNRIIE2ka25W2zaS0UCOPi7wd2hjU8qRKz9zD6-zCvlrTYhsUz0hryhNYev04nSyF_AdAFJJ2RG0N3oOiH3NLLgB8_51T7silbdn-v7mbzDimV5PUnfse6gu6dMY5KV_ImhF-GUlB4tVaubeSsyDb1OLrhBzfaZR4O8uhc4e70Cnl5FfviHX/s1528/HRBO_18SEPT2023_OSPR.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1528" data-original-width="1092" height="717" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy2zoyhMh0JNRIIE2ka25W2zaS0UCOPi7wd2hjU8qRKz9zD6-zCvlrTYhsUz0hryhNYev04nSyF_AdAFJJ2RG0N3oOiH3NLLgB8_51T7silbdn-v7mbzDimV5PUnfse6gu6dMY5KV_ImhF-GUlB4tVaubeSsyDb1OLrhBzfaZR4O8uhc4e70Cnl5FfviHX/w513-h717/HRBO_18SEPT2023_OSPR.JPG" width="513" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Osprey, September 18</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd4ucn8RSAL6ows8jPWZD9DJa4KCFoFUJ4A3I6ySHKwWU4tFMZyKyNBQPbK5rT4vGaWhOYVFvc35zr4hJpHlZMqPOkuVSWcdhBQwwqdm1StnuTW2sRC9frV3OU7lur5KJeDTn0a5ulGuqL0OO4NbGuCGQfN41qnRwHqPyYRE83hCSFHICV2G9QxNhJRxnT/s4163/HRBO_19SEPT2023_BWHA.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1372" data-original-width="4163" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd4ucn8RSAL6ows8jPWZD9DJa4KCFoFUJ4A3I6ySHKwWU4tFMZyKyNBQPbK5rT4vGaWhOYVFvc35zr4hJpHlZMqPOkuVSWcdhBQwwqdm1StnuTW2sRC9frV3OU7lur5KJeDTn0a5ulGuqL0OO4NbGuCGQfN41qnRwHqPyYRE83hCSFHICV2G9QxNhJRxnT/w687-h226/HRBO_19SEPT2023_BWHA.JPG" width="687" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Broad-winged Hawk, September 19<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2GSyVdzVgQS69qW4vUcLTtpM8Siv3FVO5Q8ngJXSviFuE7dZDXxtIhe_xq3xL6om7I9pWpsedPjj8xTDYxoz4nOYwn50DHeA3MYWCx5wnu_q4SYtiWdep5_d95nwz-Wkm-kujRp8hVwZX7liDvLKBrD0QoSi6CwUaGMNoQMWMjscibuuiXGLXApvddSXt/s2788/HRBO_19SEPT2023_MERL.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1045" data-original-width="2788" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2GSyVdzVgQS69qW4vUcLTtpM8Siv3FVO5Q8ngJXSviFuE7dZDXxtIhe_xq3xL6om7I9pWpsedPjj8xTDYxoz4nOYwn50DHeA3MYWCx5wnu_q4SYtiWdep5_d95nwz-Wkm-kujRp8hVwZX7liDvLKBrD0QoSi6CwUaGMNoQMWMjscibuuiXGLXApvddSXt/w678-h254/HRBO_19SEPT2023_MERL.JPG" width="678" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Merlin, September 19</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd-xQhbT0g8V9bnx7IrNpZc7gtOo-DYR4FVTk6cXA9hXAUPrD7qhQtKfedVQLIK14_JshcG34Yvj70is0WNKhea1gsb8weHm1AuaoJhJCugkWVThrilajtIoBUJlS3HP99lET3rUGtFlrvS8Qa7TIMBb_I1LZsCuE9owpFZa4Q7YvfaeBNiur0Dgp1PKMV/s2053/HRBO_20SEPT2023_RTHA.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="967" data-original-width="2053" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd-xQhbT0g8V9bnx7IrNpZc7gtOo-DYR4FVTk6cXA9hXAUPrD7qhQtKfedVQLIK14_JshcG34Yvj70is0WNKhea1gsb8weHm1AuaoJhJCugkWVThrilajtIoBUJlS3HP99lET3rUGtFlrvS8Qa7TIMBb_I1LZsCuE9owpFZa4Q7YvfaeBNiur0Dgp1PKMV/w670-h316/HRBO_20SEPT2023_RTHA.JPG" width="670" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">RED-TAILED HAWK migrates directly over the count platform on September 20</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-YPLPasVKZflFZRobUo_l0MjVoItOPrXP-X9kSLToRCjw7KcuPMxPX-btUJhNxkr_rFTWvZnt09ENqzA_Chr5oIfhtSRveXQCrtIHxPXbi-OWzYmk9meFexDeNG_A3vBDWQfzD3Qzu57iU7rn5N54CMW7SoZDu2Z5HsZgL6gABRztPFhkUby2KwVGP8y9/s1656/HRBO_20SEPT2023_SSHA.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1104" data-original-width="1656" height="441" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-YPLPasVKZflFZRobUo_l0MjVoItOPrXP-X9kSLToRCjw7KcuPMxPX-btUJhNxkr_rFTWvZnt09ENqzA_Chr5oIfhtSRveXQCrtIHxPXbi-OWzYmk9meFexDeNG_A3vBDWQfzD3Qzu57iU7rn5N54CMW7SoZDu2Z5HsZgL6gABRztPFhkUby2KwVGP8y9/w662-h441/HRBO_20SEPT2023_SSHA.JPG" width="662" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">SHARP-SHINNED HAWK, September 20</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrafH-Lg_l13CQpR6I_4ZRVZABgAh-4IFHc5Ex4ZJoYdsi3kMYi4O1gjz5UqvLcvV39z815LN4VaCNvrOel5Ycmwh7XNYGa8PuexR-DMa9aCBewwiUgKueQOUuL32BWb6xaYaoNMFPjTeOsfNb8yamvzwlmB7yuEE8Fc3m_HDZLJ79D1WS7uyUtZf7k8TM/s881/HRBO_20SEPT2023_SSHA2.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="567" data-original-width="881" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrafH-Lg_l13CQpR6I_4ZRVZABgAh-4IFHc5Ex4ZJoYdsi3kMYi4O1gjz5UqvLcvV39z815LN4VaCNvrOel5Ycmwh7XNYGa8PuexR-DMa9aCBewwiUgKueQOUuL32BWb6xaYaoNMFPjTeOsfNb8yamvzwlmB7yuEE8Fc3m_HDZLJ79D1WS7uyUtZf7k8TM/w752-h484/HRBO_20SEPT2023_SSHA2.JPG" width="752" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">SHARP-SHINNED HAWK, September 20</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKWGfPDYNVKcKe4GbE0e10G2aH6FVE40FnyOuTkkbEwq5eSNdtKz9imQpLxfQNbo_xgpp97qa6U3jr-3qJtAtJ_qC1e3MMhBuEgmxraXOtH-2MdNMCoxy7LGbaE4DKbBHpVXUcjWKLe7nBSHU5T9Cmxu58nChjNU2mqqFS6sfniK_IA6Yv5CqHG9wq65Lv/s6960/HRBO_20SEPT2023_WTDE.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="473" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKWGfPDYNVKcKe4GbE0e10G2aH6FVE40FnyOuTkkbEwq5eSNdtKz9imQpLxfQNbo_xgpp97qa6U3jr-3qJtAtJ_qC1e3MMhBuEgmxraXOtH-2MdNMCoxy7LGbaE4DKbBHpVXUcjWKLe7nBSHU5T9Cmxu58nChjNU2mqqFS6sfniK_IA6Yv5CqHG9wq65Lv/w710-h473/HRBO_20SEPT2023_WTDE.JPG" width="710" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A buck WHITE-TAILED DEER walks below the count platform along the overlook roadway late in the evening just before sunset on September 20</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p>Jess Cosentinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04916069395367500491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5922014117958172534.post-62554484360638225122023-09-19T15:26:00.001-05:002023-10-05T21:01:53.269-05:00Notes from the Ridge: Fall Migration Count 2023 (September 1 - September 10)<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Fall migration has a way of quietly creeping up. It can feel like just yesterday when the first boreal and Arctic migrants were arriving, following their long winters spent at southerly latitudes throughout Latin America, yet the late summer night sky slowly begins to fill with call notes of many southbound birds. While humans enjoy the final dog days of summer, migratory birds are already beginning their long-distance journeys south that will take them thousands of miles away through harrowing feats of endurance. This is truly a special time of year as the spectacle of avian migration has begun once again and to be able to witness it along the north shore of Lake Superior is what makes Hawk Ridge so remarkable. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"> <b>The 2023 Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory (HRBO)</b> fall migration count began on August 15, with the official season on September 1. The first day of September brought less-than-favorable winds from the south; however, great company on the platform as Erik Bruhnke, Steve Kolbe, Stephen Nelson, and Jan and Larry Kraemer spent time throughout the day assisting to spot birds. The real excitement arrived on the Ridge the following day, <b>September 2</b>, when a tremendous morning flight passed southbound in the hours following sunrise. As the orange tentacles of the sun extended out over the lake and adjacent valley, a steady trickle of warbler chip notes began to fill the empty airspace. Miniature avian silhouettes passing through the low light of the morning sky, fluttering overhead while the quiet hum of hand clickers began to chatter on the platform. The medley of flight calls that filled the air rang out an ephemeral snapshot of species diversity: bobolinks, flycatchers, shorebirds, warblers, thrushes. A few highlights include: (1) a total of <b><i>154</i> ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK (!!!)</b> being counted passing along the Ridge and lake shore throughout the morning into the early afternoon hours and (2) <b><i>10</i> RED-HEADED WOODPECKERS (<i>New HRBO site record</i>) </b>following similar ridge flight lines throughout the morning, (3) <b>3468 Unidentified warbler species (16 identified species)</b>, and (4) <b><i>2292</i> CEDAR WAXWING. </b>While the raptor flight did not gain similar momentum throughout the late morning into the afternoon, this morning count was quite incredible.
</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim0fA_nvnu7hpuDG3Cnq6ts8SYHW50tokiyhxypcOPokCQQfw0qGqDvbK-LHMRQuysK2b6zQsM76Pqflm2JFEDNG6mLsxeW3KyYHjMjmE6XmhrA66erIAYTtBfNuchmm6o87_ACBjO_Xss65WWlN4pWubaJF6yO2JxP4m97xBVVMXx6aSpB1H6i8hXamvK/s1658/HRBO_4AUG2023_RHWO.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1084" data-original-width="1658" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim0fA_nvnu7hpuDG3Cnq6ts8SYHW50tokiyhxypcOPokCQQfw0qGqDvbK-LHMRQuysK2b6zQsM76Pqflm2JFEDNG6mLsxeW3KyYHjMjmE6XmhrA66erIAYTtBfNuchmm6o87_ACBjO_Xss65WWlN4pWubaJF6yO2JxP4m97xBVVMXx6aSpB1H6i8hXamvK/w295-h192/HRBO_4AUG2023_RHWO.JPG" width="295" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Red-headed Woodpecker flying past the Ridge on September 2</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The following Monday <b>September 4</b> brought additional raptor excitement along the Ridge: Towards the mid-afternoon hours, a slender-winged greyish raptor rose from the summit in slow circles and made two rotations over the tree line before an emphatic call from the platform rang out down to the overlook: "<i><b>MISSISSIPPI KITE OVER THE RIDGE!</b></i>". The rare raptor spent only a few seconds spiraling upward before tucking into a rigid southbound glide down the Ridge. There are only a few annual fall records of this species passing along the Ridge and recorded on the count, so it's always a special treat to spot one (and to have such a great look as well!) </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKdfavEW_11DiXzd26kiIOPULgqbHJniRhDgeyknkRpPFoS6PVz4waI95ADRNmK-I2bpn3_756dzflz0dIkbTOjXCX4fBYV2nhYW8mBWI6Fsj-MsHW73lxTf81qgUaqp7flkI9aesEjKWklVIA2Dhmr5Lir6WDGAW4ILsnJ68ZgGaPtNr2XZa8e0EgiMIJ/s1027/HRBO_4AUG2023_MIKI2.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="712" data-original-width="1027" height="321" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKdfavEW_11DiXzd26kiIOPULgqbHJniRhDgeyknkRpPFoS6PVz4waI95ADRNmK-I2bpn3_756dzflz0dIkbTOjXCX4fBYV2nhYW8mBWI6Fsj-MsHW73lxTf81qgUaqp7flkI9aesEjKWklVIA2Dhmr5Lir6WDGAW4ILsnJ68ZgGaPtNr2XZa8e0EgiMIJ/w462-h321/HRBO_4AUG2023_MIKI2.JPG" width="462" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwVrkw8EjatenuVIo4OlqS5Xsg8ubJoYY2A8gNaZ06VF73szGY2Ro1qnoxl7QV5JsuegRrJ8fzwHKOEWBX9ZHXRjw4RbA04rcAsoAHLnV1Zo97I9qZgyyjPF2E7Nn_Sr5lbNmpYJsEPwFuP59tOYflJRTH0cnb7BmVLRaacgSKHzIY3Abntehvajbqqb3p/s869/HRBO_4AUG2023_MIKI.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="682" data-original-width="869" height="361" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwVrkw8EjatenuVIo4OlqS5Xsg8ubJoYY2A8gNaZ06VF73szGY2Ro1qnoxl7QV5JsuegRrJ8fzwHKOEWBX9ZHXRjw4RbA04rcAsoAHLnV1Zo97I9qZgyyjPF2E7Nn_Sr5lbNmpYJsEPwFuP59tOYflJRTH0cnb7BmVLRaacgSKHzIY3Abntehvajbqqb3p/w460-h361/HRBO_4AUG2023_MIKI.JPG" width="460" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Mississippi Kite passing low along the Ridge on September 4</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /> </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>September 6</b> brought a cold front with precipitation during the morning hours; however, once the rain broke, a steady stream of earlier southbound <b>CANADA GEESE</b> continued to push south along the lake shore with <b><i>2077</i></b> migrants tallied by the end of the count. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>September 8</b> saw the first migrant <b>BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKER</b> pushing south down the Ridge! The bird first appeared to the west of the platform, disappearing low into the treeline; however, quickly scurrying up a naked tree snag and providing excellent views for several seconds before disappearing to the south.</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc84VEioofT8UTN5gi2ZzjexHczeU7vPf_8bAh3rQFB4Po4q6j7-DH8mpt_qS8nN8i2fZxujC-WxOm3XRKUHGd_3Ff_MBSqBMb1wb2sG6K91ve4IAxhSESVORAFsFanRFftLNebZI_TMl9tS6gBpASNmdMO4wR6nA-yQGUsSW-cTxyHv6mrZzg22km3Y_c/s1003/HRBO_8SEPT2023_BBWO.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="736" data-original-width="1003" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc84VEioofT8UTN5gi2ZzjexHczeU7vPf_8bAh3rQFB4Po4q6j7-DH8mpt_qS8nN8i2fZxujC-WxOm3XRKUHGd_3Ff_MBSqBMb1wb2sG6K91ve4IAxhSESVORAFsFanRFftLNebZI_TMl9tS6gBpASNmdMO4wR6nA-yQGUsSW-cTxyHv6mrZzg22km3Y_c/w479-h352/HRBO_8SEPT2023_BBWO.JPG" width="479" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>The first migrant Black-backed Woodpecker of the Fall 2023 season on September 8</i></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i> </i></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i> </i></span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>September 9</b> brought the first noticeably large <b>BLUE JAY</b> on the season, with <b><i>8375</i></b> passing southward along both the lake shore and Ridge throughout the count period; however, the following day (<b>September 10</b>) ushered in an incredible flight of migrant birds. With north winds blowing, a distant <b>SHORT-EARED OWL</b> pushed down the shore in the moments following sunrise while an absolutely unreal <b>BLUE JAY </b>flight of <b><i>14054 (!!!)</i></b> passed southward during the count period as well as a pair of <b>BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKERS</b>. The first larger kettles of <b>BROAD-WINGED HAWKS</b> of the fall (<b>431</b> total throughout the day) began to pour out of the north, while <i><b>two</b></i> <b>SWAINSON'S HAWK</b> (juvenile intermediate and light morphs) both made low close passes directly above the overlook! The two western vagrants provided excellent views to everyone visiting the overlook, circling slowly for several minutes before drifting lazily south down the Ridge. The day also brought the best <b>SHARP-SHINNED HAWK</b> (<i>963</i>) and <b>AMERICAN KESTREL</b> (<b>218</b>) flights of the season to date - Just an absolutey excellent day of migration on the Ridge!
Fall migration is in full swing on the Ridge and the large pulse of <b>BROAD-WINGED HAWK</b> kettles should be passing by any day now, once a good cold front passes through and brings blustery northwest winds in its wake. However, there are many more migrant birds left to count between now and the end of Novemeber! Make your way up to the Ridge this fall and enjoy the spectacle of bird migration. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> Follow the HRBO count daily here at: https://www.trektellen.org
<b> </b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Jess Cosentino </b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Lead Counter<b> </b></span></div><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2qmqOMbcY6eEkR7HgU1fe0sof2_9xeY7up4Hd82QZN0RrgfTDedtOCaX3_9_Nua-GcUG9oInXYG6MS6GwS3KhZkqE0FouXnHHO08sza6zs0YRFfPwdkPvgOr_MoxGpJv-vFZ_haV_99ygRFTZeYDtJJJ-cidlhhhNTxWUk4Ag8i8J7SjIo-u4Zb5a7s1w/s1323/IMG_7405.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="856" data-original-width="1323" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2qmqOMbcY6eEkR7HgU1fe0sof2_9xeY7up4Hd82QZN0RrgfTDedtOCaX3_9_Nua-GcUG9oInXYG6MS6GwS3KhZkqE0FouXnHHO08sza6zs0YRFfPwdkPvgOr_MoxGpJv-vFZ_haV_99ygRFTZeYDtJJJ-cidlhhhNTxWUk4Ag8i8J7SjIo-u4Zb5a7s1w/w467-h302/IMG_7405.JPG" width="467" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Swainson's Hawk passing along the Ridge on September 10</i></span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1B0YwuZcDI0I8I74vlXD_ENLRu8ZFyudHa0vwxeb77aTtsg9lr8IKFlBLLq8HaaE_rl2YGWZP_m1UzesrxVUaB42x2mY2tRy3QijYsbToJOPg9HrUTkyg_1i7og6_gJdLYearC4ib3jlDJPysGg_yPS5ovZ5knf8BBrX1Ohsadodcx2CbPJsigK-uFQ4j/s2846/HRBO_8SEPT2023_BAEA.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2145" data-original-width="2846" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1B0YwuZcDI0I8I74vlXD_ENLRu8ZFyudHa0vwxeb77aTtsg9lr8IKFlBLLq8HaaE_rl2YGWZP_m1UzesrxVUaB42x2mY2tRy3QijYsbToJOPg9HrUTkyg_1i7og6_gJdLYearC4ib3jlDJPysGg_yPS5ovZ5knf8BBrX1Ohsadodcx2CbPJsigK-uFQ4j/s320/HRBO_8SEPT2023_BAEA.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Hatch-year Bald Eagle heading south along the Ridge on September 8</i></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ONQV_gImfiEHvuZnMnbtSHtn5bqMM3-IDm50AiMRvojnBG9KHptrzoI-8etbiKv2dwbEJkkygqt-q3lu7es_9IuHg1edJueI8myro6Njtl8rDJCUEb_BcVEqSPHYwrOTN1NkenBVAQ1eKFebMlu07b4avJ0XVkPlvSZmPHBGJLtytM6IMcJcJSNcTMOR/s1683/HRBO_8SEPT2023_OSPR.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1216" data-original-width="1683" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ONQV_gImfiEHvuZnMnbtSHtn5bqMM3-IDm50AiMRvojnBG9KHptrzoI-8etbiKv2dwbEJkkygqt-q3lu7es_9IuHg1edJueI8myro6Njtl8rDJCUEb_BcVEqSPHYwrOTN1NkenBVAQ1eKFebMlu07b4avJ0XVkPlvSZmPHBGJLtytM6IMcJcJSNcTMOR/s320/HRBO_8SEPT2023_OSPR.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Osprey passing overhead on the Ridge on September 8</i></span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> </span><br /><p></p>Jess Cosentinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04916069395367500491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5922014117958172534.post-67631041150638373732023-09-19T15:22:00.001-05:002023-09-19T15:22:36.116-05:00Hawk Ridge News - September 2023<p> <img align="none" alt="HRBO_DM_LogoCMYK 2" border="0" height="124" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/16fa9417c4/HRBO_DM_LogoCMYK%202.jpg" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; height: 124px; width: 306px;" title="HRBO_DM_LogoCMYK 2" vspace="0" width="306" /></p><div style="border-color: black; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; clear: both; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; width: 614px;"><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </p></div><h3 style="border-color: black; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 6px; padding: 0px; width: 614px;"></h3><div style="border-color: black; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; clear: both; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; width: 614px;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Dear Hawk Ridge Friends,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><img align="right" alt="A beautiful day at Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve (photo by Gail Johnejack)" border="0" height="224" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/e8fa4240b0/A%20beautiful%20day%20at%20Hawk%20Ridge%20Nature%20Reserve%20(photo%20by%20Gail%20Johnejack).jpg" style="height: 224px; width: 300px;" title="A beautiful day at Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve (photo by Gail Johnejack)" vspace="0" width="300" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The fall bird migration is on and we're excited to be back on the Ridge! On September 1, our education and visitor services staff and volunteers returned to the main overlook at Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve to share the magic of migration with visitors of all ages. We have a great crew of both return and new research & education staff that you can hopefully meet in person or highlighted on our website <a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/about-us/staff/" target="_blank">HERE</a>. Approximately 40,000 birds of 120 species (including approx. 2400 raptors of 13 species) have been counted so far since August 15! You can read the August raptor count and and banding summaries below. You can follow along with the count on Trektellen <a href="https://www.trektellen.org/count/view/3670/" id="" target="_blank">HERE</a> and HawkCount <a href="https://hawkcount.org/month_summary.php?r=on&rsite=288&go=Go+to+site" id="" target="_blank">HERE</a>. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Please note registration for our annual <b>Hawk Weekend Festival</b> taking place Fri. Sept. 15 - Sun. Sept. 17th is closing soon. Most of the field trips/workshops/programs that had limited capacity are now full and closed, but you are still welcome to come up to Hawk Ridge to view the migration with us the weekend of the festival or anytime 9am-4pm now through October 31st. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">P.S. If you missed our last e-newsletter, you can view that and older versions by clicking <a href="http://hawkridgeblog.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">HERE</a>. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><div><span style="background-color: #f8f5f2;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">August 2023 Bird Migration Count Summary</span></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><img align="right" alt="American Kestrel by Karl Bardon 2" border="0" height="204" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/e8fa4240b0/American%20Kestrel%20by%20Karl%20Bardon%202.jpg" style="height: 204px; width: 306px;" title="American Kestrel by Karl Bardon 2" vspace="0" width="306" /><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The Fall 2023 migration count at Hawk Ridge began on August 15 with a total of 161 count hours over 16 non-consecutive days by the end of the month. A single day (8/22) had no count conducted due to inclement weather. A total of 841 raptors across 11 different species were documented from the platform during the month. The most abundant raptor species counted were: BALD EAGLE (427), BROAD-WINGED HAWK (117), and AMERICAN KESTREL (113). A series of days with less-than-favorable weather conditions, specifically wind direction, resulted in a relatively lower August total for several raptor species. Notably lower-than-average August totals by species included: SHARP-SHINNED HAWK (First double-digit monthly total since 2018) and RED-TAILED HAWK (First single-digit monthly total since 1976) All other raptors species totals generally aligned with the recent monthly averages. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><img align="right" alt="Broad-winged Hawk Migrating at Hawk Ridge" border="0" height="198" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/e8fa4240b0/Broad-winged%20Hawk%20Migrating%20at%20Hawk%20Ridge.JPG" style="height: 198px; width: 306px;" title="Broad-winged Hawk Migrating at Hawk Ridge" vspace="0" width="306" /><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">BALD EAGLE day count totals never reached triple digits; however, consistent daily flights made for a strong finish to the month relative to recent years. OSPREY (one of our earliest migrants heading south each fall) were generally on average while the first wave of (predominantly) southbound young NORTHERN HARRIERS was as well. BROAD-WINGED HAWKS noticeably began moving south by 8/26, with 52 passing on that day alone, with nearly all birds this month being young birds. AMERICAN KESTREL movement was consistent from the first day of the count, suggesting this species is likely moving south along the ridge before the fall count officially begins. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The non-raptor flight along the Ridge gained momentum over the final two weeks of August as well, with 88 migrant non-raptor bird species documented. To view all species (raptor and non-raptor) totals for the Fall 2023 migration count at Hawk Ridge, visit: https://www.trektellen.org/site/totals/3670/2023 </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Jess Cosentino </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Lead Counter</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">August 2023 Raptor Banding Summary</span></b></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="Sharp-shinned Hawk by H Toutonghi" border="0" height="181" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/e8fa4240b0/Sharp-shinned%20Hawk%20by%20H%20Toutonghi.jpg" style="height: 181px; width: 306px;" title="Sharp-shinned Hawk by H Toutonghi" vspace="0" width="306" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The beginning of the raptor banding this season started on August 15. In August, a total of 14 days were covered with a total of 12 raptors banded. This total represents the lowest numbers of raptors ever banded in August. This also continues the downward trend in the August counts. It’s difficult to to determine why this trend is happening, but we don’t seem to get the weather patterns that produces flight this time of year. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><div class="l7ghb35v kjdc1dyq kmwttqpk gh25dzvf jikcssrz n3t5jt4f" style="margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">A total of 12 raptors were banded during August. The totals are as follows: </span></div></div><div class="l7ghb35v kjdc1dyq kmwttqpk gh25dzvf jikcssrz n3t5jt4f" style="margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Sharp-shinned Hawk-7</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Red-tailed Hawk-2</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Merlin-2</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Broad-winged Hawk-1</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><img align="right" alt="Hawk Ridge Trainees and Banding Staff 2023" border="0" height="230" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/e8fa4240b0/Hawk%20Ridge%20Trainees%20and%20Banding%20Staff%202023.jpg" style="height: 230px; width: 306px;" title="Hawk Ridge Trainees and Banding Staff 2023" vspace="0" width="306" /><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">We have a great banding team this fall. We welcome back Abbie Valine, as our Lead Raptor Bander, for September & October. Abbie has been working with Hawk Ridge for many years - starting as a volunteer in grade school, then in recent years as a Banding Trainee and Raptor Bander. We also welcome back Kara Beer, as our Raptor Bander. Kara was a one of the Banding Trainees last fall. Our new banding staff we welcome this year are our Fall Owl Bander, Kevin Garcia Lopez, and Banding Apprentices, Olivia Fortuna & Doris Rodriguez. Lastly, we have 3 Hawk Ridge Trainees (Megan Hanson, Marie Chappell, and Sarah Needles) that will rotate through and learn in each of the 3 core program areas at Hawk Ridge - bird migration count, bird banding, and environmental education. </span></div></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Frank Nicoletti</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Senior Research Associate</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">August 2023 Passerine Banding Summary</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="Canada Warbler by G Sangmeister" border="0" height="266" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/e8fa4240b0/Canada%20Warbler%20by%20G%20Sangmeister.jpg" style="height: 266px; width: 200px;" title="Canada Warbler by G Sangmeister" vspace="0" width="200" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">We had a great month during August for Passerine Banding. We were able to start migration banding right away the day after our summer breeding bird MAPS (Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship) ended. We were able to band 17 out of the 23 remaining days in August, losing just a few days to weather and other responsibilities. A total of 851 new birds were banded, with 42 species represented, and 73 recaptured birds. We had three days where we banded over 100 birds, and also three days with 22 different species. The warblers dominated the banded population with 549 warblers banded or about 65%. The thrushes were a distant second with 125 thrushes banded or 15% of the total birds banded. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Some highlights of the month included a Baltimore Oriole, 4 Golden-winged Warblers, 3 Connecticut Warblers (far above our average for those birds), 3 early Blackpoll Warblers, 1 Black-throated Blue Warbler (another comparatively rare warbler for our station), 2 Indigo Buntings, and the youngest Dark-eyed Junco that any of us present could ever recall seeing at the station. It has also been a banner year for Gray Catbirds and Rose-breasted Grosbeaks. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="American Redstart by Laura Erickson" border="0" height="222" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/e8fa4240b0/American%20Redstart%20by%20Laura%20Erickson.jpg" style="height: 222px; width: 306px;" title="American Redstart by Laura Erickson" vspace="0" width="306" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Our top ten species for the month were: #1- American Redstarts: 173, #2- Nashville Warblers: 94, </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Tied at #3 and #4- Tennessee Warblers and Swainson’s Thrushes: 87, #5- Ovenbirds: 40, #6 and #7 another tie- White-throated Sparrows and Magnolia Warblers: 35, #8-Chestnut-sided Warblers: 34, #9- Veerys: 31, and #10- Rose-breasted Grosbeaks: 24. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">All in all a terrific month and the best August we’ve had in some time. Many thanks to all of the great volunteers who came out and helped us with the banding- you are dedicated and amazing! Tune in for the September updates!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">David Alexander and Margie Menzies</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Lead Passerine Banders</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Summer 2023 Hawk Ridge Education Report</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">It seems like every year summer appears out of nowhere, and then seems to race full tilt to the end just as quickly. This year was no exception. Each month was busy with a variety of programming ranging from virtual programs, presentations at Hawk Ridge and at events at outside locations, providing programming for Viking Cruise passengers, and lots of summer bird banding (weekly at Sugarloaf Cove and for a number of summer day camps). It's wonderful that so many include education opportunities about birds and come to us to help with that process! </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="Girl Scout Troop 4162 Bronze Star Service project at Hawk Ridge" border="0" height="230" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/e8fa4240b0/Girl%20Scout%20Troop%204162%20Bronze%20Star%20Service%20project%20at%20Hawk%20Ridge.jpg" style="height: 230px; width: 306px;" title="Girl Scout Troop 4162 Bronze Star Service project at Hawk Ridge" vspace="0" width="306" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">One exciting project at Hawk Ridge this summer was establishing a native plant restoration garden at the Hawk Ridge main overlook, thanks to Girl Scout Troop 4162 from Hermantown, Shoreview Natives, and members of the Duluth/Superior EcoRotary. The Girl Scouts came to us last fall looking for a service project they could do for Hawk Ridge and earn their Bronze Star Awards. The Girl Scouts toured Shoreview Natives greenhouses where they learned about planting from seeds and then took donated seeds from Shoreview Natives to cold treat and raise at home for planting this summer at Hawk Ridge. The restoration garden is designed to educate visitors about what can be done with interrupted spaces, provide a seed source for native plants to re-establish at the Ridge, and restore some of the natural diversity to this damaged ecosystem. Thanks to Girl Scout Troop 4162, Shoreview Natives (Dan Schutte & team), and members of the Duluth/Superior EcoRotary for providing this new educational tool for Hawk Ridge!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="Fall Staff 2023" border="0" height="199" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/e8fa4240b0/Fall%20Staff%202023.jpg" style="height: 199px; width: 300px;" title="Fall Staff 2023" vspace="0" width="300" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Altogether this summer, there were 34 different education programs provided to well over 800 participants. 13 programs in each of June and July, and 8 in August. August also brought the preparation for the fall season at the overlook. Including getting the merchandise trailer to the overlook, providing days of training for new and returning staff and volunteers for the fall season. We have an incredibly talented education staff more than ready for the adventures ahead through the fall season. Come on out and enjoy programming at the Ridge this fall on the weekends, or arrange a private program for a school, scouts or other community groups. We are always excited to get folks involved with birds, learning their incredible stories, and exploring the wonders of migration first hand. Hope to see you at the Ridge this fall!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Margie Menzies</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Education Director</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Upcoming Events</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><div><div><b style="background-color: #f8f5f2;"><a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/event/hawk-weekend-festival-2023/" id="" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Hawk Weekend Festival</span></a></b></div><div><b style="background-color: #f8f5f2;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Sept. 15th-17th, 2023</span></b></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><img align="right" alt="Visitors watching raptor release at Hawk Ridge fall" border="0" height="229" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/fb3944f238/Visitors%20watching%20raptor%20release%20at%20Hawk%20Ridge%20fall.jpg" style="height: 229px; width: 306px;" title="Visitors watching raptor release at Hawk Ridge fall" vspace="0" width="306" /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Come and celebrate the amazing fall bird migration with us! Hawk Weekend is the annual festival held by Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory in Duluth, MN. Bird migration research and education programs have been shared with visitors throughout the world each fall at Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve for over 50 years! Join us for a fun weekend with a variety of birding field trips, nature hikes, programs, and activities for all ages! </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Friday, September 15th is our festival celebration kick-off evening event at the Great Lakes Aquarium. Social hour 6:30-7:30 (registration/doors open at 6pm), Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory Annual Meeting/Awards (approx. 15-20 minutes) followed by Guest Speaker (approx. 45-60 min) 7:30-9pm. Hawk Ridge members are FREE (students $10 & non-member $25), but <a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/event/hawk-weekend-festival-2023/" target="_blank">pre-registration is required</a> for this event. </span></p><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><img align="right" alt="Laurie Goodrich with Broad-winged Hawk" border="0" height="356" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/e8fa4240b0/Laurie%20Goodrich%20with%20Broad-winged%20Hawk.jpg" style="height: 356px; width: 200px;" title="Laurie Goodrich with Broad-winged Hawk" vspace="0" width="200" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Dr. Laurie Goodrich, Sarkis</b><b> Acopian Director of Conservation Science at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Association, will be joining us as our keynote speak</b><b>er. She will present <i>F</i></b><b><i>rom Canada to Colombia: Broad-winged Hawk Migration and Ecology </i>as part of our </b> Broad-winged Hawks are one of the most numerous and conspicuous migrant raptors at many hawkwatches, yet despite their concentrations, little is known about their migration journey or winter ecology. Because some broad-winged hawk populations appear to be declining, in 2014 Hawk Mountain launched a study to examine their ecology throughout their life cycle. To better understand Broad-winged Hawk migration behavior and ecology, biologists have used telemetry to follow birds from Pennsylvania, Connecticut, New Hampshire and Ontario, Canada on their migration journey to examine routes taken, stopover behavior, migration behavior and where each population winters. In this talk, Laurie Goodrich will share some of the findings of this long-term study including stories of individual birds tracked for multiple seasons. <i>(NOTE: you are also welcome to attend another presentation by Dr. Laurie Goodrich on Fri. 9/15 at 3pm at UMD in LSci 185 on "</i><i>Hawk Mountain’s 90 years of raptor migration monitoring: scientific value of long-term data" - no cost to attend)</i></span></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Please note that registration is full and closed for the majority of our festival field trips, programs, and workshops, but you can still check our <a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/event/hawk-weekend-festival-2023/" id="" target="_blank">online registration HERE</a> for limited availability or email jlong@hawkridge.org to be added to a waitlist. You are still welcome to come up to Hawk Ridge to view the migration with us during the festival weekend and anytime daily 9am-4pm now through October 31st! </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><div><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;"><b><a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/plan-your-visit/visitors-guide/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Plan Your Fall Visit to Hawk Ridge</span></a></b></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">September 1st - October 31st, 2023</span></b></p><img align="right" alt="Naturalist Chris teaching with American Kestrel at Hawk Ridge 3" border="0" height="300" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/051a4e23a5/Trainee%20Chris%20teaching%20with%20American%20Kestrel%20at%20Hawk%20Ridge%203.jpg" style="height: 300px; width: 200px;" title="Naturalist Chris teaching with American Kestrel at Hawk Ridge 3" vspace="0" width="200" /><div></div><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Daily 9am-4pm</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: #f8f5f2;"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">2023 marks the 52nd consecutive fall season of bird migration research and education at Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve in Duluth, MN - one of the premier fall bird migration sites in North America! We look forward to connecting with visitors of all ages from around the world! Here are some helpful links with information on visiting this fall: </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/plan-your-visit/visitors-guide/" target="_blank">PLAN YOUR VISIT</a><br /><a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/plan-your-visit/directions/" target="_blank">DIRECTIONS</a><br /><a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/plan-your-visit/lodging/" target="_blank">LODGING</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/education-programs/for-k-12-teachers/" target="_blank">SCHEDULE YOUR PROGRAM</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/calendar/" target="_blank">PROGRAMS AND EVENTS</a></span></p><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><img align="right" alt="Whole Foods Co-op Logo 2" border="0" height="185" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/e8fa4240b0/Whole%20Foods%20Co-op%20Logo%202.jpg" style="height: 185px; width: 200px;" title="Whole Foods Co-op Logo 2" vspace="0" width="200" /><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Whole Foods Co-op Duluth, MN</span></b></p></div><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #f8f5f2;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Hawk Ridge is the September GIVE! Recipient! </span></b></span></p><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs" style="margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Round up in support of Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory when you shop at the Whole Foods Co-op in Duluth for the month of September. Check out the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xR8BO7sm1A" target="_blank">video here</a> to learn about Hawk Ridge and what your round-up donation helps support! </span></div><div class="xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs" style="margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs" style="margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Thanks to WFC for selecting Hawk Ridge as the non-profit to support as part of your GIVE! program this month! </span></div></div><div class="xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs" style="margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs" style="margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/education-programs/for-visitors/owlprogramsvisitors/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Evening Owl Programs</span></a></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></p><img align="right" alt="Emily Pavlovic Saw-whet 2020" border="0" height="333" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/d736626346/Emily%20Pavlovic%20Saw-whet%202020.jpg" style="height: 333px; width: 250px;" title="Emily Pavlovic Saw-whet 2020" vspace="0" width="250" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-52da141b-7fff-e91a-975a-49d5ab79e6b6"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Whoo doesn’t like owls? From large to small, seasonal travelers, and hardy residents, Minnesota hosts a fascinating diversity of owls, with some crazy habits, and some hauntingly beautiful sounds in the night. Join us this fall to learn about the Hawk Ridge owl banding research through one of our public evening owl programs or schedule a small group owl program. <a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/education-programs/for-visitors/owlprogramsvisitors/" target="_blank">Click HERE for more info.</a> </span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>Saturday evening public programs: </b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">September 30th & Oct. 21st at 8pm</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Tickets limited (<a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/education-programs/for-visitors/owlprogramsvisitors/" target="_blank">click HERE to register</a>); $10 member/student or $15 nonmember</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>Small group owl programs (up to 8): </b></span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b> </b>offered Sept. 19-Oct. 31 (Tues. or Thurs-Sat. evenings) with date/time to be arranged by sending an email to owls@hawkridge.org. $40 member/student or $50 nonmember. </span></span></p><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></div></div><div class="xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs" style="margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs" style="margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><div><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;"><b><a href="https://folsr.org/events/2cerhh9gz55fzcfreabkcnxdazb5nj" id="" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Everyone Can Bird: Accessible Birding Series</span></a></b></p></div><div><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #f8f5f2;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Saturday, October 14th </span></b></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;"><img align="right" alt="Margie Menzies and birders by Marie Zhuikov 2" border="0" height="279" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/3c17dbc1df/Margie%20Menzies%20and%20birders%20by%20Marie%20Zhuikov%202.jpg" style="height: 279px; width: 275px;" title="Margie Menzies and birders by Marie Zhuikov 2" vspace="0" width="275" /></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Join the Lake Superior Reserve, Hawk Ridge, Wisconsin Sea Grant, Minnesota Land Trust, and the Friends of the Lake Superior Reserve for a free, bird-focused morning as part of an accessible birding series. We welcome people of all ages and ability levels to attend this accessible birding series! </span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>The next event will be held Saturday, October 14th at Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve</b><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">! </span></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/everyone-can-bird-fall-migration-tickets-694988227497" target="_blank"><b>Registration is encouraged, but not required by clicking HERE for the event</b></a> (event is FREE). </span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Ac</span>tivities are designed with access in mind, but if you would like to request additional accommodations, please email Luciana.Ranelli@Wisc.Edu or call Luciana at 715-399-4085 at least 10 days before the event. </span></p></div></div><div class="xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs" style="margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs" style="margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">International Birding Trip </span></b></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s" style="margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><div><span style="background-color: #f8f5f2;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Ecuador - Birding the Choco-Andes Region</span></b></span></div><div><span style="background-color: #f8f5f2;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">February 25th - March 5th, 2024 </span></b></span></div><div><span style="background-color: #f8f5f2;"><b><i><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">(with optional post-trip extension March 5th-9th Ecuador - Birding the Amazon Rainforest)</span></i></b></span></div><div><span style="background-color: #f8f5f2;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.holbrooktravel.com/where-we-travel/central-and-south-america/ecuador/ecuador-birding-choco-andes-region-hawk-ridge-24" id="" target="_blank">REGISTER HERE TODAY! </a>(registration closes 11/22/23)</span></b></span></div><div><b style="background-color: #f8f5f2;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><img align="right" alt="Andean-Emerald-hummingbird-ecuador-bigstock 3" border="0" height="153" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/e8fa4240b0/Andean-Emerald-hummingbird-ecuador-bigstock%203.jpg" style="height: 153px; width: 306px;" title="Andean-Emerald-hummingbird-ecuador-bigstock 3" vspace="0" width="306" /><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Hawk Ridge and Holbrook Travel are off on another fascinating adventure - this time in Ecuador in 2024! An extraordinary abundance of bird life inhabits the forests of northwestern Ecuador. Amid cloud forest, rainforest, páramo, and the eastern and western slopes of the Andes Mountains, join Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory to seek out as many of the country’s 1,640-plus species as possible with assistance from your expert guide on this 10-day adventure. In particular, much of the avifauna you’ll encounter is endemic to the Chocó region, while other species are more easily found here than any place else. Along the way, attend a presentation by a local ornithologist, view the snow-capped Antisana Volcano, and straddle the equator at the Middle of the World Monument.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="Andean-Cock-of-the-Rock-(RUPICOLA-PERUVIANUS)-Ian-Segebarth-HEADER-" border="0" height="193" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/e8fa4240b0/Andean-Cock-of-the-Rock-(RUPICOLA-PERUVIANUS)-Ian-Segebarth-HEADER-.jpg" style="height: 193px; width: 306px;" title="Andean-Cock-of-the-Rock-(RUPICOLA-PERUVIANUS)-Ian-Segebarth-HEADER-" vspace="0" width="306" /><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Explore the Chocó ecoregion across a variety of protected areas, including Yanacocha Biological Reserve, Alambi Cloud Forest Reserve, Un poco del Chocó Nature Reserve & Biological Station, Antisana Ecological Reserve, and others. Visit the famed Refugio Paz de las Aves, known as a haven for antpittas and Andean Cocks-of-the-rock. Meet a representative from a community project dedicated to restoring the habitat of the Black-breasted Puffleg, the official emblematic bird of Quito. Bird the Mashpi-Amagusa Reserve for target species like the Rose-faced Parrot, Orange-breasted Fruiteater, Chocó Vireo, Moss-backed Tanager, and Indigo Flowerpiercer.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="Birding-at-Sacha-Lodge-Coca-Ecuador-Adobe-stock (1)" border="0" height="153" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/e8fa4240b0/Birding-at-Sacha-Lodge-Coca-Ecuador-Adobe-stock%20(1).jpg" style="height: 153px; width: 306px;" title="Birding-at-Sacha-Lodge-Coca-Ecuador-Adobe-stock (1)" vspace="0" width="306" /><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Continue your unforgettable birding adventure with <a href="https://www.holbrooktravel.com/where-we-travel/central-and-south-america/ecuador/ecuador-birding-amazon-rainforest-extension-hawk-ridge-24" target="_blank">Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory in the Ecuadorian Amazon</a>, one of the country’s most impressive biodiversity hotspots. Descend into the primary forests of Sacha Lodge’s 5,000-acre private ecological reserve in the heart of the Amazon Basin and seek out a variety of neotropical resident and migrant avian species, plus mammals, amphibians, insects, and more. In addition to a superb wildlife experience, enjoy the chance to connect with indigenous communities and learn about their relationship with the surrounding forest.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Each day provides a variety of opportunities to make the most of the birding/nature touring available, as well as options for individual exploration and leisure time. You will be traveling with other nature enthusiasts to all share an amazing spectrum of bird experiences and knowledge. All meals are included and dining is often arranged outdoors or in private group seating. </span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Don’t miss this incredible experience! Space on this trip is limited to 12 and r</b><b>egistration closes November 22, 2023. </b><b style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;"><a href="https://www.holbrooktravel.com/where-we-travel/central-and-south-america/ecuador/ecuador-birding-choco-andes-region-hawk-ridge-24" target="_blank">REGISTER HERE today!</a></b> Questions? Contact Debbie Sturdivant Jordan at 866-748-6146 or <a href="mailto:debbie@holbrooktravel.com" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;" target="_blank">debbie@holbrooktravel.com</a>, or Margie Menzies <a href="mailto:mmenzies@hawkridge.org" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;" target="_blank">mmenzies@hawkridge.org</a>. Hope to see you in October!</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p></div><div><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Thank You for Your Support!</span></b></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory thanks all of our supporters. We appreciate you! As a nonprofit organization, we are primarily funded by individual gifts to put our bird migration research and education programs in action. Below are some of the ways you can help us keep sharing the magic of the bird migration!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 14.2667px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Support Hawk Ridge by Shopping!</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><img align="right" alt="Lisa and Tania at Hawk Ridge Merchandise Trailer" border="0" height="230" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/e8fa4240b0/Lisa%20and%20Tania%20at%20Hawk%20Ridge%20Merchandise%20Trailer.jpg" style="height: 230px; width: 306px;" title="Lisa and Tania at Hawk Ridge Merchandise Trailer" vspace="0" width="306" /><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The best place to get all your Hawk Ridge gear is at our fall season gift shop trailer at Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve daily 9am-4pm between September 1 - October 31. If you're not able to come up to Hawk Ridge this fall, you can also check out some of our online shopping options with some of our merchandise. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://hawkridgeobservatory.itemorder.com/shop/sale/" target="_blank">Big Frog (direct ship or pick up at Duluth store)</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.bonfire.com/store/hawk-ridge-limited-edition-merchandise/" target="_blank">Bonfire (direct ship)</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://mugexp.com/collections/hawk-ridge" target="_blank">The Mug Experience (direct ship)</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="Banded bird release at Hawk Ridge by J Richardson" border="0" height="174" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/0a86a72a43/Banded%20bird%20release%20at%20Hawk%20Ridge%20by%20J%20Richardson.jpg" style="height: 174px; width: 130px;" title="Banded bird release at Hawk Ridge by J Richardson" vspace="0" width="130" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Become A Member Today!</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">If you're already a member of Hawk Ridge, we sincerely appreciate your support! THANK YOU! If you're not a member and have enjoyed your experience with Hawk Ridge, we invite you to renew or join as a Hawk Ridge member today! Our memberships and donations help drive our bird conservation research and education programs. You can check out our exciting membership benefits and<a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/support/membership/" target="_blank"> <b>join or renew online HERE!</b></a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Simply Donate</span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">You can always simply donate online by clicking <a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/support/donate/" target="_blank">HERE</a> or by mailing a check made out to Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory, P.O. Box 3006, Duluth, MN 55803.</span></p></div></div></div><h3 style="border-color: black; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 6px; padding: 0px; width: 614px;"></h3><div style="border-color: black; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; clear: both; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; width: 614px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.hawkridge.org/support/donate/" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://www.hawkridge.org/support/donate/" target="_blank"></a>Thank you again for your wonderful gift of support! Hope to connect with you again soon! <br /></span><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br />Sincerely,<br /><br />Janelle Long<br />Executive Director<br />Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory<br /><br />Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory<br />P.O. Box 3006<br />Duluth, MN 55803-3006<br />Call: 218-428-6209<br />Contact: mail@hawkridge.org<br />Visit: www.hawkridge.org<br />501(c)3 Non-Profit Organization<br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Federal Tax ID 76-0746366</span></p></div>Hawk Ridge Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03346381697590328711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5922014117958172534.post-40129203362500602752023-09-07T08:47:00.003-05:002023-09-07T08:47:42.969-05:00Hawk Ridge News - Summer 2023 (Hawk Weekend Festival Registration OPEN & more!)<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> <img align="none" alt="HRBO_DM_LogoCMYK 2" border="0" height="124" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/16fa9417c4/HRBO_DM_LogoCMYK%202.jpg" style="height: 124px; width: 306px;" title="HRBO_DM_LogoCMYK 2" vspace="0" width="306" /></span></p><div style="border-color: black; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; clear: both; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; width: 614px;"><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></p></div><h3 style="border-color: black; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 6px; padding: 0px; width: 614px;"></h3><div style="border-color: black; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; clear: both; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; width: 614px;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Dear Hawk Ridge Friends,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><img align="right" alt="Bald Eagle in flight March 2023 by F Nicoletti" border="0" height="346" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/aab9ec9b1c/Bald%20Eagle%20in%20flight%20March%202023%20by%20F%20Nicoletti.jpg" style="height: 346px; width: 306px;" title="Bald Eagle in flight March 2023 by F Nicoletti" vspace="0" width="306" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">We hope you've been enjoying the start to summer and we wish you a Happy 4th of July week! <u><b>Our Hawk Weekend Festival Registration is now open!</b></u> <a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/event/hawk-weekend-festival-2023/" target="_blank">REGISTER HERE today</a>! The event will take place Fri. Sept. 15 - Sun. Sept. 17th. Thanks to all that visited and enjoyed the spring migration with us at the West Skyline Count! We ended on May 31st with a season total count of around 43,000 birds of approx. 110 species. This includes our total raptor count of 21,298 of 15 raptor species. We appreciate the research and education efforts of our staff and volunteers, as well as your support to help make it possible! You can see our totals on Trektellen <a href="https://www.trektellen.org/site/totals/3604/2023" target="_blank">HERE</a> and HawkCount <a href="https://hawkcount.org/month_summary.php?r=on&rsite=543&go=Go+to+site" target="_blank">HERE</a> with a season report below, as well as other upcoming events. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">P.S. If you missed our last e-newsletter, you can view that and older versions by clicking <a href="http://hawkridgeblog.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">HERE</a>. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: #f8f5f2;"><b>West Skyline Spring Count Summary 2023</b></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: #f8f5f2;"><b>By Sean McLaughlin</b></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: #f8f5f2;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory conducted the West Skyline Hawk Count (WSHC) from March 1 - May 31, 2023. This was the sixth year of the planned 10-year comprehensive count. The westernmost spring hawk watch on the Great Lakes is made possible thanks to a generous donation. Goals of this project include observing, recording and documenting raptor and non-raptor migrants on shores of Lake Superior in Duluth, MN.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><img align="right" alt="Common Loon Spring 2023 by S McLaughlin" border="0" height="225" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/aab9ec9b1c/Common%20Loon%20Spring%202023%20by%20S%20McLaughlin.jpg" style="height: 225px; width: 306px;" title="Common Loon Spring 2023 by S McLaughlin" vspace="0" width="306" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Counts were conducted daily, totaling 631.5 hours of observation, the most ever recorded at WSHC. Nine days of poor weather shortened the count to four or fewer hours. The seasonal raptor total numbered 21,298 individuals, with 15 species of raptors observed. 2,200 raptors were counted in March, 9,017 in April and 10,081 in May. There were 119 non-raptor species also seen from the count sites. All migrant data can be followed live on Trektellen, as well as accessed at any time throughout the year. Seasonal totals and high counts are all found <a href="https://www.trektellen.org/count/view/3604/20230531" target="_blank">here</a>. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><img align="right" alt="Broad-winged Hawk Spring 2023 by S McLaughlin" border="0" height="219" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/aab9ec9b1c/Broad-winged%20Hawk%20Spring%202023%20by%20S%20McLaughlin.jpg" style="height: 219px; width: 306px;" title="Broad-winged Hawk Spring 2023 by S McLaughlin" vspace="0" width="306" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Raptor count totals from WSHC are consistent from 2000-2006, 2009-2010, and 2018-2023. Because of the variable effort, count totals will be analyzed using data from 2000-2006 and 2018-2023. The seasonal total of 21,298 is just below the 6-year average (2018-2023) of 23,536. A large percentage of birds that are counted at WSHC are Broad-winged hawks, and variability in weather can lead to counts that differ year to year by thousands. 2023 was a slightly below average Broad-winged year, bringing that seasonal total just under average. However, prime April conditions produced numerous days of flight that brought other species totals higher than previous years. Turkey Vultures had a banner year, and broke the record spring count with 3,213. Northern Harriers tallied the second highest spring with 87, the most since 2004. 324 Rough-legged Hawks were the most counted since 2018. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><img align="right" alt="Merlin by S McLaughlin 2023 2" border="0" height="169" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/aab9ec9b1c/Merlin%20by%20S%20McLaughlin%202023%202.jpg" style="height: 169px; width: 306px;" title="Merlin by S McLaughlin 2023 2" vspace="0" width="306" /><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Falcons were also well represented, American Kestrels (91) had a high count since 2004, Merlin (53) was the third highest ever count, and 29 Peregrine Falcons is a new spring high count. Other raptor counts were more on par. Bald Eagles (4928) was right around average for the six-year period. Bald Eagle have exploded in population in the past 20 years, and all recent counts exceed the 2000-2006 period at WSHC. Sharp-shinned Hawks have fluctuated a great deal in the spring, but 1,952 was closer to the six-year average of 1915. Cooper’s Hawk was also near average with 38. Buteos were all near average or slightly below: Broad-winged (7,852), Red-tailed (2,460), Red-shouldered (3), and Swainson’s (3). Red-shouldered and Swainson’s Hawks are uncommon but annual spring migrants. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><img align="right" alt="American Robin Spring 2023 by S McLaughlin" border="0" height="261" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/aab9ec9b1c/American%20Robin%20Spring%202023%20by%20S%20McLaughlin.jpg" style="height: 261px; width: 306px;" title="American Robin Spring 2023 by S McLaughlin" vspace="0" width="306" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Notable low counts include Osprey (106), Golden Eagle (115) and Northern Goshawk (0). All are the lowest counts in the last 5 years, and the first time a Goshawk has not been recorded at the spring count. Raptor highlights include numerous dark morph Red-tailed Hawk, one white Red-tailed, one dark morph Broad-winged Hawk, and the rare migrants like Red-shouldered and Swainson’s. Non-raptor highlights included 17 warbler species, Eastern Towhee, Evening and Pine Grosbeak, Great Egret, Great and Lesser Black-backed gulls, and a few days of mass reverse migration of American Robins, Fox and American Tree Sparrows and Rusty Blackbirds. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><img align="right" alt="Margie teaching Spring Workshop 23 by S DePew" border="0" height="229" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/aab9ec9b1c/Margie%20teaching%20Spring%20Workshop%2023%20by%20S%20DePew.jpg" style="height: 229px; width: 306px;" title="Margie teaching Spring Workshop 23 by S DePew" vspace="0" width="306" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Education programs continued this spring with groups welcomed to the WSHC sites and Enger Park by Education Director Margie Menzies and Naturalist Sara DePew. <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">There were 10 school groups that visited, the Spring Migration workshop held, and a total of 38 programs delivered. </span>Many eager students and participants in the Spring Migration workshop got to spot raptors flying high (sometimes too high) over the watch<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"> and gain some skills at identifying raptors in flight, as well as visiting several other Duluth birding hotspots.</span> It was a great season!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><img align="right" alt="Frank and spring count volunteer crew March 2023" border="0" height="230" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/aab9ec9b1c/Frank%20and%20spring%20count%20volunteer%20crew%20March%202023.jpg" style="height: 230px; width: 306px;" title="Frank and spring count volunteer crew March 2023" vspace="0" width="306" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I want to extend a huge thank you to all who came out to help spot and appreciate the wonderful world of bird migration. Our visitors and dedicated watchers are an invaluable asset to the watch and making sure no bird slips by! Thanks to our education staff for spreading the good word and helping spot and interpret the flight. I would also like to thank Frank Nicoletti for helping as a relief counter for covering days off, in addition to his guidance and expertise. <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">I’d like to extend my sincere gratitude to volunteers John Edwards, Ralph Larsen, Ed Longhway, Jan and Larry Kraemer and Steve Kolbe. Their help spotting and interacting with folks in the spring makes the watch a better place. Thank you!</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Thank you all for your good spotting and your enthusiasm for birds, raptor migration and the natural world. We all hope to see you this fall at Hawk Ridge for yet another wonderful season of migration.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></p></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><u><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Upcoming Events</span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><div><div><b style="background-color: #f8f5f2;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/event/hawk-weekend-festival-2023/" id="" target="_blank">Hawk Weekend Festival</a></span></b></div><div><b style="background-color: #f8f5f2;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Save the Dates! </span></b></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b style="background-color: #f8f5f2;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Sept. 15th-17th, 2023</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b style="background-color: #f8f5f2;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/event/hawk-weekend-festival-2023/" target="_blank">REGISTER HERE TODAY! </a></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><img align="right" alt="Visitors watching raptor release at Hawk Ridge fall" border="0" height="229" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/fb3944f238/Visitors%20watching%20raptor%20release%20at%20Hawk%20Ridge%20fall.jpg" style="height: 229px; width: 306px;" title="Visitors watching raptor release at Hawk Ridge fall" vspace="0" width="306" /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Come and celebrate the amazing fall bird migration with us! Hawk Weekend is the annual festival held by Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory in Duluth, MN. Bird migration research and education programs have been shared with visitors throughout the world each fall at Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve for over 50 years! Join us for a fun weekend with a variety of birding field trips, nature hikes, programs, and activities for all ages! </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><img align="right" alt="Laurie Goodrich with Broad-winged Hawk" border="0" height="311" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/051a4e23a5/Laurie%20Goodrich%20with%20Broad-winged%20Hawk.jpg" style="height: 311px; width: 175px;" title="Laurie Goodrich with Broad-winged Hawk" vspace="0" width="175" /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">We are happy to announce<b> Dr. Laurie Goodrich, Sarkis Acopian Director of Conservation Science at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Association, will be joining us as our keynote speaker. She will present <i>F</i></b><b><i>rom Canada to Colombia: Broad-winged Hawk Migration and Ecology<u> </u></i>as part of our <u>festival celebration kick-off event on Friday, September 15th 6:30-9pm at the Great Lakes Aquarium (online registration required)</u>.</b> Broad-winged Hawks are one of the most numerous and conspicuous migrant raptors at many hawkwatches, yet despite their concentrations, little is known about their migration journey or winter ecology. Because some broad-winged hawk populations appear to be declining, in 2014 Hawk Mountain launched a study to examine their ecology throughout their life cycle. To better understand Broad-winged Hawk migration behavior and ecology, biologists have used telemetry to follow birds from Pennsylvania, Connecticut, New Hampshire and Ontario, Canada on their migration journey to examine routes taken, stopover behavior, migration behavior and where each population winters. In this talk, Laurie Goodrich will share some of the findings of this long-term study including stories of individual birds tracked for multiple seasons.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Many of our field trips, evening owl programs, workshops have limited space, so be sure to <b><u><a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/event/hawk-weekend-festival-2023/" target="_blank">register HERE today!</a></u></b> <b><u>EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT available through August 15th.</u></b> All registration closes on September 10th. </span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Lake Superior Art Glass</span></b></p></div><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: #f8f5f2;"><b>Design Your Own Hummingbird Feeder</b></span></span></p><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>June 2023 (5% proceeds to Hawk Ridge)</b></span></div><div><b><a href="https://lakesuperiorartglass.com/pages/design-your-own" id="" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">REGISTER HERE!</span></a></b></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><img align="right" alt="Design a Hummingbird Feeder Lake Superior Art Glass" border="0" height="172" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/051a4e23a5/Design%20a%20Hummingbird%20Feeder%20Lake%20Superior%20Art%20Glass.jpg" style="height: 172px; width: 306px;" title="Design a Hummingbird Feeder Lake Superior Art Glass" vspace="0" width="306" /><div><div class="xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs" style="margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Hummingbird Designer Event<br />June Only! 5% Of Each Designer Feeder Will Be Donated to Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory<br /><br /></span></div><div class="xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs" style="margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">In this fun and functional designer event, watch your vision come to life as our artists make your feeder right before you.</span></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s" style="margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Book back-to-back time slots if you and a friend want to do this event together! For more information and registration - click <a href="https://lakesuperiorartglass.com/pages/design-your-own" id="" target="_blank">HERE</a> - or go to lakesuperiorartglass.com or 218-464-1799 with questions. We hope to see you there! </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s" style="margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s" style="margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><u>International Birding Trip</u> </span></b></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s" style="margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: #f8f5f2;"><b><a href="https://www.holbrooktravel.com/where-we-travel/central-and-south-america/costa-rica/costa-rica-hawk-watch-and-birding" target="_blank">Costa Rica - Hawk Watch & Birding Tour</a></b></span></span></div><div><b style="background-color: #f8f5f2;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">October 24th - November 1st, 2023</span></b></div><div><span style="background-color: #f8f5f2;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><a href="http://holbrook.travel/hrbohawk-cr23" target="_blank">LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER (by July 21st!) </a></span></b></span></div><div><b style="background-color: #f8f5f2;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Hawk Ri<a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Birding-at-Selva-Verde-by-Greg-Basco.jpg" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="size-medium wp-image-3835 alignright" decoding="async" height="0" sizes="(max-width: 280px) 100vw, 280px" src="https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Birding-at-Selva-Verde-by-Greg-Basco-280x187.jpg" srcset="https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Birding-at-Selva-Verde-by-Greg-Basco-280x187.jpg 280w, https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Birding-at-Selva-Verde-by-Greg-Basco-575x383.jpg 575w, https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Birding-at-Selva-Verde-by-Greg-Basco-768x512.jpg 768w, https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Birding-at-Selva-Verde-by-Greg-Basco-150x100.jpg 150w, https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Birding-at-Selva-Verde-by-Greg-Basco-216x144.jpg 216w, https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Birding-at-Selva-Verde-by-Greg-Basco-300x200.jpg 300w, https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Birding-at-Selva-Verde-by-Greg-Basco.jpg 800w" style="border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; float: right; height: auto; margin: 5px 0px 20px 20px; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: bottom; width: 280px;" width="280" /></a>dge and Holbrook Travel are off on another fascinating Costa Rica Adventure in the fall of 2023. A perfect excursion for nature lovers and avid birders- particularly those who have an interest in raptors! Venture to the Caribbean coastline and remote Tortuguero National Park, well known as one of the most important sea turtle nesting sites in the world, but also an extensive network of waterways and diverse species of birds and other wildlife.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="Broad-winged Hawk" border="0" height="272" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/fb3944f238/Broad-winged%20Hawk%20Spring%202022%202.jpg" style="height: 272px; width: 306px;" title="Broad-winged Hawk" vspace="0" width="306" /><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The famed raptor hotspot of Kéköldi Indigenous Reserve is up next and there we will be witnessing not only raptors but other migratory birds streaming through on their way south during some of the heaviest traffic times in one of the busiest migration places in the world! It’s possible to see species like the Broad-winged Hawk, Peregrine Falcon, Osprey, and more. The numbers of birds who use this thoroughfare are mind-bending and October is usually when the highest counts happen.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Rufous-tailed-Jacamar-with-tree-resized.jpg" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="size-medium wp-image-3837 alignright" decoding="async" height="0" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 280px) 100vw, 280px" src="https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Rufous-tailed-Jacamar-with-tree-resized-280x210.jpg" srcset="https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Rufous-tailed-Jacamar-with-tree-resized-280x210.jpg 280w, https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Rufous-tailed-Jacamar-with-tree-resized-575x431.jpg 575w, https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Rufous-tailed-Jacamar-with-tree-resized-768x576.jpg 768w, https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Rufous-tailed-Jacamar-with-tree-resized-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Rufous-tailed-Jacamar-with-tree-resized-150x113.jpg 150w, https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Rufous-tailed-Jacamar-with-tree-resized-216x162.jpg 216w, https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Rufous-tailed-Jacamar-with-tree-resized-300x225.jpg 300w, https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Rufous-tailed-Jacamar-with-tree-resized.jpg 2000w" style="border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; float: right; height: auto; margin: 5px 0px 20px 20px; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: bottom; width: 280px;" width="280" /></a>Then journey inland to discover the rainforests of Selva Verde, our private eco-reserve set on 500 protected acres that hundreds of bird species call home. Take guided hikes in the private rainforest reserve at Selva Verde Lodge, with opportunities to see birds like the Keel-billed Toucan, Sunbittern, and endangered Great Green Macaw. We will also bird the trails of the world-renowned La Selva Biological Station, where more than half of Costa Rica’s species have been recorded.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Each day provides a variety of opportunities to make the most of the birding/nature touring available, as well as options for individual exploration and leisure time. You will be traveling with other nature enthusiasts to all share an amazing spectrum of bird experiences and knowledge. All meals are included and dining is often arranged outdoors or in private group seating. Your guides will be Hawk Ridge Education Director, Margie Menzies, and Mario Cordoba. Margie will be leading a spring 2023 international birding trip in Costa Rica and has also traveled to and bird banded in Costa Rica. Mario Cordoba has been a nature guide in Costa Rica for over 2 decades. </span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Don’t miss this incredible experience! Space on this trip is limited to 10, and final payment for the trip is due July 21, 2023. </b><a href="http://holbrook.travel/hrbohawk-cr23" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;" target="_blank"><b>REGISTER HERE today!</b></a> Questions? Contact Debbie Sturdivant Jordan at 866-748-6146 or <a href="mailto:debbie@holbrooktravel.com" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;" target="_blank">debbie@holbrooktravel.com</a>, or Margie Menzies <a href="mailto:mmenzies@hawkridge.org" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;" target="_blank">mmenzies@hawkridge.org</a>. Hope to see you in October!</span></p></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;"><b><u><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/pick-a-bird-brain-series-2023/" target="_blank">Pick a Bird Brain Program Series</a> </span></u></b></p></div><div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The 2023 Pick a Bird Brain series will primarily focus on highlighting some of the amazing research projects with Hawk Ridge. Programs are free, but pre-registration is required for virtual programs, with a registration link provided in each presentation’s description.</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">July & August 2023 Speakers/Dates Coming Soon! </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">P.S. If you missed the last Pick a Bird Brain virtual events you can view recordings below: </span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCA9Oq_AE20" target="_blank">Loon Lessons: Uncommon Encounters with the Great Northern Diver</a> by Dr. James Paruk</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AprqDYXfEAw" target="_blank">What have we learned from 50 years of fall counts at Hawk Ridge?</a> by Dr. Jerry Niemi (June 6th)</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://youtu.be/G3555L-en3s" target="_blank">Using DNA Metabarcoding to Study the Diet of Raptors during Migration</a> by Lisa Brouellette (April 18th)</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YuCCF3iG3E" target="_blank">Periodic Invasions of Northern Goshawks</a> by Dick Green (March 21st)</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://youtu.be/BJf2mqleEZk" target="_blank">The Forever Chemicals: What Do We Need to Know About Their Effects on Birds and How Will We Learn It?</a> by Matt Etterson (Feb. 23rd)</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDWF_-9WqhM&t=5s" rel="noopener" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;" target="_blank"><span data-rich-links="{"fple-t":"The Secrets that Feathers Hold: Using Feathers to Trace Migration","fple-u":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDWF_-9WqhM&t=5s","fple-mt":null,"type":"first-party-link"}">The Secrets that Feathers Hold: Using Feathers to Trace Migration</span></a> by Emily Pavlovic (Jan. 24th)</span></p></div><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><div><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;"><b><a href="https://folsr.org/events/everyonecanbirdaugust" id="" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Everyone Can Bird: Accessible Birding Series</span></a></b></p></div><div><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: #f8f5f2;"><b>Sat. Wed. August 2nd, Sat. October 14th </b></span></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;"><img align="right" alt="Margie Menzies and birders by Marie Zhuikov 2" border="0" height="279" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/3c17dbc1df/Margie%20Menzies%20and%20birders%20by%20Marie%20Zhuikov%202.jpg" style="height: 279px; width: 275px;" title="Margie Menzies and birders by Marie Zhuikov 2" vspace="0" width="275" /></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Join the Lake Superior Reserve, Hawk Ridge, Wisconsin Sea Grant, Minnesota Land Trust, and the Friends of the Lake Superior Reserve for a free, bird-focused morning as part of an accessible birding series. We welcome people of all ages and ability levels to attend this accessible birding series! </span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>The next event will be held Wednesday, August 2nd at Barker's Island "Everyone Can Bird: Graduation to Migration!". </b><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">In August baby birds begin to “graduate” into adulthood as they prepare for migration. Come join us for a celebration of this exciting adventure for the new adult birds! </span></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">W</span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">e welcome people of all ages and ability levels to attend this accessible birding event at the Lake Superior Estuarium on Barker's Island in Superior. Move along the boardwalk or paved trails on a guided bird hike, or explore bird artifacts like feathers and skulls indoors at your own pace. </span></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">These activities are designed with access in mind, but if you would like to request additional accommodations, please email Luciana.Ranelli@Wisc.Edu or call Luciana at 715-399-4085 at least 10 days before the event. </span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p></div><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/plan-your-visit/visitors-guide/" target="_blank">Plan Your Fall Visit to Hawk Ridge</a></span></b></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">September 1st - October 31st, 2023</span></b></p><img align="right" alt="Naturalist Chris teaching with American Kestrel at Hawk Ridge 3" border="0" height="300" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/051a4e23a5/Trainee%20Chris%20teaching%20with%20American%20Kestrel%20at%20Hawk%20Ridge%203.jpg" style="height: 300px; width: 200px;" title="Naturalist Chris teaching with American Kestrel at Hawk Ridge 3" vspace="0" width="200" /><div></div><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Daily 9am-4pm</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: #f8f5f2;"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">2023 marks the 52nd consecutive fall season of bird migration research and education at Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve in Duluth, MN - one of the premier fall bird migration sites in North America! We look forward to connecting with visitors of all ages from around the world! Here are some helpful links with information on visiting this fall: </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/plan-your-visit/visitors-guide/" target="_blank">PLAN YOUR VISIT</a><br /><a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/plan-your-visit/directions/" target="_blank">DIRECTIONS</a><br /><a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/plan-your-visit/lodging/" target="_blank">LODGING</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/education-programs/for-k-12-teachers/" target="_blank">SCHEDULE YOUR PROGRAM</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/calendar/" target="_blank">PROGRAMS AND EVENTS</a> (more coming soon!)</span></p><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><u><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">2022 Research & Education Summary Reports</span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><img align="right" alt="Sara bird release Sept 22 3" border="0" height="218" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/fb3944f238/Sara%20bird%20release%20Sept%2022%203.jpg" style="height: 218px; width: 300px;" title="Sara bird release Sept 22 3" vspace="0" width="300" /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Here are the links to our 2022 fall research and education summaries:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/2022-Fall-Migration-Count-Report.pdf" target="_blank">Fall 2022 Bird Migration Count Summary</a> (raptor count totals <a href="https://www.hawkcount.org/month_summary.php?rsite=288" target="_blank">HERE</a>)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/2022-Hawk-Ridge-Raptor-Banding-Report.pdf" target="_blank">Fall 2022 Raptor Banding Summary</a> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/2022-Hawk-Ridge-Education-Report.pdf" target="_blank">2022 Education Summary</a></span></p><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><u><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><u><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Thank You for Your Support!</span></u></b></p><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory thanks all of our supporters. We appreciate you! As a nonprofit organization, we are primarily funded by individual gifts to put our bird migration research and education programs in action. Below are some of the ways you can help us keep sharing the magic of the bird migration!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 14.2667px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b><u>Support Hawk Ridge by Shopping!</u></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><img align="right" alt="50th Crewneck Sweatshirt - design by E Regnier" border="0" height="200" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/fb3944f238/50th%20Crewneck%20Sweatshirt.jpg" style="height: 200px; width: 200px;" title="50th Crewneck Sweatshirt - design by E Regnier" vspace="0" width="200" /><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">If you missed out on getting a limited edition 50th anniversary shirt or mug - you can still do so today! Purchase a variety of Hawk Ridge merchandise at the links below:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://hawkridgeobservatory.itemorder.com/shop/sale/" target="_blank">Big Frog (direct ship or pick up at Duluth store)</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.bonfire.com/store/hawk-ridge-limited-edition-merchandise/" target="_blank">Bonfire (direct ship)</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://mugexp.com/collections/hawk-ridge" target="_blank">The Mug Experience - 50th mug (direct ship)</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="Banded bird release at Hawk Ridge by J Richardson" border="0" height="174" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/0a86a72a43/Banded%20bird%20release%20at%20Hawk%20Ridge%20by%20J%20Richardson.jpg" style="height: 174px; width: 130px;" title="Banded bird release at Hawk Ridge by J Richardson" vspace="0" width="130" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b><u>Become A Member Today!</u></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">If you're already a member of Hawk Ridge, we sincerely appreciate your support! THANK YOU! If you're not a member and have enjoyed your experience with Hawk Ridge, we invite you to renew or join as a Hawk Ridge member today! Our memberships and donations help drive our bird conservation research and education programs. You can check out our exciting membership benefits and<a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/support/membership/" target="_blank"> <b>join or renew online HERE!</b></a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><u><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Simply Donate</span></span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">You can always simply donate online by clicking <a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/support/donate/" target="_blank">HERE</a> or by mailing a check made out to Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory, P.O. Box 3006, Duluth, MN 55803.</span></p></div></div></div><h3 style="border-color: black; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 6px; padding: 0px; width: 614px;"></h3><div style="border-color: black; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; clear: both; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; width: 614px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.hawkridge.org/support/donate/" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://www.hawkridge.org/support/donate/" target="_blank"></a>Thank you again for your wonderful gift of support! Hope to connect with you again soon! <br /></span><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br />Sincerely,<br /><br />Janelle Long<br />Executive Director<br />Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory<br /><br />Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory<br />P.O. Box 3006<br />Duluth, MN 55803-3006</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Call: 218-428-6209</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Contact: mail@hawkridge.org</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Visit: www.hawkridge.org</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">501(c)3 Non-Profit Organization</span><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;">Federal Tax ID 76-0746366</span></span></p></div>Hawk Ridge Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03346381697590328711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5922014117958172534.post-31413849042653132962023-06-29T11:32:00.002-05:002023-06-29T11:32:46.031-05:00Hawk Ridge News - June 2023<p> <img align="none" alt="HRBO_DM_LogoCMYK 2" border="0" height="124" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/16fa9417c4/HRBO_DM_LogoCMYK%202.jpg" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; height: 124px; width: 306px;" title="HRBO_DM_LogoCMYK 2" vspace="0" width="306" /></p><div style="border-color: black; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; clear: both; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; width: 614px;"><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </p></div><h3 style="border-color: black; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 6px; padding: 0px; width: 614px;"></h3><div style="border-color: black; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; clear: both; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; width: 614px;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span>Dear Hawk Ridge Friends,</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p><img align="right" alt="Broad-winged Hawks by F Nicoletti May 23" border="0" height="259" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/051a4e23a5/Broad-winged%20Hawks%20by%20F%20Nicoletti%20May%2023.jpg" style="height: 259px; width: 306px;" title="Broad-winged Hawks by F Nicoletti May 23" vspace="0" width="306" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span>Thanks to all that visited and enjoyed the spring migration with us at the West Skyline Count! We ended on May 31st with a season total count of around 43,000 birds of approx. 110 species. This includes our total raptor count of 21,252 of 15 raptor species. We appreciate the research and education efforts of our staff and volunteers, as well as your support to help make it possible! You can see our totals on Trektellen <a href="https://www.trektellen.org/site/totals/3604/2023" target="_blank">HERE</a> and HawkCount <a href="https://hawkcount.org/month_summary.php?r=on&rsite=543&go=Go+to+site" target="_blank">HERE</a> with a season report to come soon. Find out more below about upcoming events below, including the virtual program tomorrow night June 6th at 7pm by Dr. Gerald "Jerry" Niemi "What have we learned from 50 years of fall raptor counts at Hawk Ridge?" (free, but pre-registration required). </span><span> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">P.S. If you missed our last e-newsletter, you can view that and older versions by clicking <a href="http://hawkridgeblog.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">HERE</a>. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><u><span style="font-family: verdana;">Upcoming Events</span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><div><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><u><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/pick-a-bird-brain-series-2023/" target="_blank">Pick a Bird Brain Program Series</a> </span></u></b></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">The 2023 Pick a Bird Brain series will primarily focus on highlighting some of the amazing research projects with Hawk Ridge. Programs are free, but pre-registration is required for virtual programs, with a registration link provided in each presentation’s description.</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Tues. June 6th, 7:00 pm (virtual program - pre-register <a href="https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEvc-iorjkrG9BAzQAmbnlKlsCZ9Njup_FK#/registration" target="_blank">HERE</a>)</span></strong></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><b><i>What Have We Learned from Fifty Years of Fall Raptor Counts at Hawk Ridge? </i> </b></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><b>By Dr. Gerald Niemi</b></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><b><br /></b></span></p><img align="right" alt="Fall Counters at Hawk Ridge" border="0" height="230" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/3c17dbc1df/Fall%20Counters%20at%20Hawk%20Ridge.jpg" style="height: 230px; width: 306px;" title="Fall Counters at Hawk Ridge" vspace="0" width="306" /><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">What have we learned from fifty years of fall raptor counts at Hawk Ridge? Over 20 raptor species have been counted migrating at Hawk Ridge, but only 14 species are considered common enough during the fall migration to detect their population trend. Results from the Raptor Population Index indicated that counts since 1974 have increased for five species that reflect their increasing populations. In contrast, over that same period, counts for five species have declined or have mixed positive and negative trends. Four species have shown no perceptible change in counts, but they have been highly variable over the past fifty years. Causes for the population increases or decreases are complex, but are likely associated with banning the use of DDT in 1972, habitat changes on both breeding and wintering ranges, climate change, reduction in human persecution, and other species-specific factors. Jerry Niemi will review the trends for each of these species and what we know or speculate are causes for the species population trends. </span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="Dr. Gerald "Jerry" Niemi. Photo by J. Niemi" border="0" height="261" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/3c17dbc1df/Jerry%20Niemi%20doing%20a%20Minnesota%20Breeding%20Bird%20Atlas%20count.%20Photo%20by%20Jarad%20Niemi%202.jpg" style="height: 261px; width: 175px;" title="Dr. Gerald "Jerry" Niemi. Photo by J. Niemi" vspace="0" width="175" /><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;">Gerald Niemi is a retired Professor Emeritus at the University of Minnesota-Duluth (UM-D). He was formerly Professor of Biology and Director of the Center for Water and the Environment at the Natural Resources Research Institute at UM-D. He received his Ph.D. in Biology at Florida State University in 1983 and was a Fulbright scholar in Finland in 1981. He has published over </span>160 peer-reviewed papers and over 130 technical reports and popular articles. His research has focused on birds, Great Lakes ecosystems, conservation, climate change, ecotoxicology, and the sustainability in the use of natural resources. </span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Registration is required for this presentation. <a href="https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEvc-iorjkrG9BAzQAmbnlKlsCZ9Njup_FK#/registration" id="" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;" target="_blank">Register Here</a></span><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Cost: Free (<a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/support/donate/" target="_blank">donations</a> are always appreciated!)</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Tues. June 20th, 7:00 pm (in-person)</span></strong></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">UMD Life Science Building Room 175</span></strong></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><b><i>Loon Lessons: Uncommon Encounters with the Great Northern Diver </i></b></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><b>By Dr. James Paruk</b></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><b><br /></b></span></p><img align="right" alt="Loon Lessons book cover 2" border="0" height="306" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/051a4e23a5/Loon%20Lessons%20book%20cover%202.jpg" style="height: 306px; width: 229px;" title="Loon Lessons book cover 2" vspace="0" width="229" /><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Dr. James D. Paruk is one of the world’s leading experts on the Common Loon and will be coming to Duluth, MN on June 20th! Join us to learn from Dr. Paruk about his studies on breeding and wintering loons in several states and Canada from the past 30 years. He also recently wrote a book entitled, Loon Lessons: Uncommon Encounters with the Great Northern Diver published by the University of Minnesota Press. The book provides the most current detailed account of what we know about loon biology, behavior, and conservation. Currently, he is a Professor of Biology at St. Joseph’s College, in Maine. We hope to see you there! </span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">This event is co-sponsored by Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory, Duluth Audubon, and UMD Center for Environmental Education. For those of you who will not be able to attend in person, the presentation will be recorded and made available online at a later date on the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8OxZjMp2sOJchz4-bEfTfw" target="_blank">Hawk Ridge YouTube Channel</a>.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">P.S. If you missed the last Pick a Bird Brain virtual events you can view recordings below: </span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><a href="https://youtu.be/G3555L-en3s" target="_blank">Using DNA Metabarcoding to Study the Diet of Raptors during Migration</a> by Lisa Brouellette (April 18th)</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YuCCF3iG3E" target="_blank">Periodic Invasions of Northern Goshawks</a> by Dick Green (March 21st)</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><a href="https://youtu.be/BJf2mqleEZk" target="_blank">The Forever Chemicals: What Do We Need to Know About Their Effects on Birds and How Will We Learn It?</a> by Matt Etterson (Feb. 23rd)</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDWF_-9WqhM&t=5s" rel="noopener" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;" target="_blank"><span data-rich-links="{"fple-t":"The Secrets that Feathers Hold: Using Feathers to Trace Migration","fple-u":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDWF_-9WqhM&t=5s","fple-mt":null,"type":"first-party-link"}">The Secrets that Feathers Hold: Using Feathers to Trace Migration</span></a> by Emily Pavlovic (Jan. 24th)</span></p></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: #f8f5f2;"><b>Lake Superior Art Glass</b></span></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: #f8f5f2;"><b>Design Your Own Hummingbird Feeder</b></span></span></p><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>June 2023 (5% proceeds to Hawk Ridge)</b></span></div><div><b><a href="https://lakesuperiorartglass.com/pages/design-your-own" id="" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: verdana;">REGISTER HERE!</span></a></b></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><img align="right" alt="Design a Hummingbird Feeder Lake Superior Art Glass" border="0" height="172" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/051a4e23a5/Design%20a%20Hummingbird%20Feeder%20Lake%20Superior%20Art%20Glass.jpg" style="height: 172px; width: 306px;" title="Design a Hummingbird Feeder Lake Superior Art Glass" vspace="0" width="306" /><div><div class="xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs" style="color: #050505; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Hummingbird Designer Event<br />June Only! 5% Of Each Designer Feeder Will Be Donated to Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory<br /><br /></span></div><div class="xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs" style="color: #050505; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">In this fun and functional designer event, watch your vision come to life as our artists make your feeder right before you.</span></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s" style="color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;">Book back-to-back time slots if you and a friend want to do this event together! </span><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #222222;">For more information and registration - click <a href="https://lakesuperiorartglass.com/pages/design-your-own" id="" target="_blank">HERE</a> - or go to lakesuperiorartglass.com</span></span><span style="color: #222222;"> or 218-464-1799 with questions. We hope to see you there! </span></span></div></div><div><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: #f8f5f2;"><b>Summer Master Naturalist Course</b></span></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: #f8f5f2;"><b>Saturdays June 10, June 24, July 8, July 22, and Aug 12<br />LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER! </b></span></span></p><div><b><a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/event/summer-master-naturalist-class-2023/" id="" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: verdana;">REGISTER HERE!</span></a></b></div></div><div><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div><img align="right" alt="Canada Warbler (E Bruhnke)" border="0" height="201" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/3c17dbc1df/Canada%20Warbler%20(E%20Bruhnke).jpg" style="height: 201px; width: 306px;" title="Canada Warbler (E Bruhnke)" vspace="0" width="306" /><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Where better to take the North Woods, Great Lakes course than right on the shores of Lake Superior with Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory? The historic University of Minnesota Limnology Lab in Duluth, Minnesota will be our basecamp for a field-oriented class. Each session we will travel to explore new ecological community types in the Duluth region in the peak of their productive summer season. You will learn about the fascinating geology, plant and animal communities, inland lakes and bogs, ecology and human interactions of the Northwoods, as well as how Lake Superior impacts and interacts with these ecosystems. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory Education Director and Master Naturalist Instructor, Margie Menzies, will lead this exciting summer class. The course will run from 9 am to 5 pm every other Saturday for 5 sessions beginning June 10 and ending August 12, 2023. Field trips will be incorporated into the scheduled class days. A capstone project is expected of participants and will be completed in small groups, with possible projects suggestions provided by the instructor. The course cost is $295 and includes course manuals and supplies.</span></div><div><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;">Register <a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/event/summer-master-naturalist-class-2023/" id="" target="_blank">HERE</a> today under our Events tab at hawkridge.org. S</span>pace is limited to 22 participants and registration closes once filled. Please contact Margie Menzies at <a href="mailto:mmenzies@hawkridge.org" target="_blank">mmenzies@hawkridge.org</a> or 218-428-8722 with questions. We hope to see you there! </span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p></div><div><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: #f8f5f2;"><b><a href="https://www.duluthnewstribune.com/sports/northland-outdoors/everyone-can-bird-accessible-birding-events-start-may-6" id="" target="_blank">Everyone Can Bird: Accessible Birding Series</a></b></span></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: #f8f5f2;"><b>Sat. Wed. August 2nd, Sat. October 14th </b></span></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;"><img align="right" alt="Margie Menzies and birders by Marie Zhuikov 2" border="0" height="279" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/3c17dbc1df/Margie%20Menzies%20and%20birders%20by%20Marie%20Zhuikov%202.jpg" style="height: 279px; width: 275px;" title="Margie Menzies and birders by Marie Zhuikov 2" vspace="0" width="275" /></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Join the Lake Superior Reserve, Hawk Ridge, Wisconsin Sea Grant, Minnesota Land Trust, and the Friends of the Lake Superior Reserve for a free, bird-focused morning as part of an accessible birding series. We welcome people of all ages and ability levels to attend this accessible birding series! </span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">The next event will be held Wednesday, August 2nd at Barker's Island. More info/registration coming soon. </span></b></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">These activities are designed with access in mind, but if you would like to request additional accommodations, please email Luciana.Ranelli@Wisc.Edu or call Luciana at 715-399-4085 at least 10 days before the event. </span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="Naturalist Chris teaching with American Kestrel at Hawk Ridge 3" border="0" height="300" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/051a4e23a5/Trainee%20Chris%20teaching%20with%20American%20Kestrel%20at%20Hawk%20Ridge%203.jpg" style="height: 300px; width: 200px;" title="Naturalist Chris teaching with American Kestrel at Hawk Ridge 3" vspace="0" width="200" /><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/plan-your-visit/visitors-guide/" target="_blank">Plan Your Fall Visit to Hawk Ridge</a></span></b></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">September 1st - October 31st, 2023</span></b></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">Daily 9am-4pm</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: #f8f5f2;"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">2023 marks the 52nd consecutive fall season of bird migration research and education at Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve in Duluth, MN - one of the premier fall bird migration sites in North America! We look forward to connecting with visitors of all ages from around the world! Here are some helpful links with information on visiting this fall: </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/plan-your-visit/visitors-guide/" target="_blank">PLAN YOUR VISIT</a><br /><a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/plan-your-visit/directions/" target="_blank">DIRECTIONS</a><br /><a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/plan-your-visit/lodging/" target="_blank">LODGING</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/education-programs/for-k-12-teachers/" target="_blank">SCHEDULE YOUR PROGRAM</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/calendar/" target="_blank">PROGRAMS AND EVENTS</a> (more coming soon!)</span></p><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div></div><div><b style="background-color: #f8f5f2;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/event/hawk-weekend-festival-2023/" target="_blank">Hawk Weekend Festival</a></span></b></div><div><b style="background-color: #f8f5f2;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Save the Dates! </span></b></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b style="background-color: #f8f5f2;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Sept. 15th-17th, 2023</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="Visitors watching raptor release at Hawk Ridge fall" border="0" height="229" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/fb3944f238/Visitors%20watching%20raptor%20release%20at%20Hawk%20Ridge%20fall.jpg" style="height: 229px; width: 306px;" title="Visitors watching raptor release at Hawk Ridge fall" vspace="0" width="306" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Come and celebrate the amazing fall bird migration with us! Hawk Weekend is the annual festival held by Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory in Duluth, MN. Bird migration research and education programs have been shared with visitors throughout the world each fall at Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve for over 50 years! Join us for a fun weekend with a variety of birding field trips, nature hikes, programs, and activities for all ages! </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></p><img align="right" alt="Laurie Goodrich with Broad-winged Hawk" border="0" height="311" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/051a4e23a5/Laurie%20Goodrich%20with%20Broad-winged%20Hawk.jpg" style="height: 311px; width: 175px;" title="Laurie Goodrich with Broad-winged Hawk" vspace="0" width="175" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: #222222;">We are happy to announce<b> Dr. Laurie Goodrich, Hawk Mountain Sarkis Acopian Director of Conservation Science, will be joining us as our keynote speaker. She will present <i>F</i></b></span><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><i>rom Canada to Colombia: Broad-winged Hawk Migration and Ecology</i>.</b> </span></span><span style="color: #222222;">Broad-winged Hawks are one of the most numerous and conspicuous migrant raptors at many hawkwatches, yet despite their concentrations, little is known about their migration journey or winter ecology. Because some broad-winged hawk populations appear to be declining, in 2014 Hawk Mountain launched a study to examine their ecology throughout their life cycle. To better understand Broad-winged Hawk migration behavior and ecology, biologists have used telemetry to follow birds from Pennsylvania, Connecticut, New Hampshire and Ontario, Canada on their migration journey to examine routes taken, stopover behavior, migration behavior and where each population winters. In this talk, Laurie Goodrich will share some of the findings of this long-term study including stories of individual birds tracked for multiple seasons.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: #222222;"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Registration and more info coming soon!</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></p><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: #f8f5f2;"><b><a href="https://www.holbrooktravel.com/where-we-travel/central-and-south-america/costa-rica/costa-rica-hawk-watch-and-birding" id="" target="_blank">International Birding Trip</a> </b></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: #f8f5f2;"><b><a href="https://www.holbrooktravel.com/where-we-travel/central-and-south-america/costa-rica/costa-rica-hawk-watch-and-birding" target="_blank">Costa Rica - Hawk Watch & Birding Tour</a></b></span></span></div><div><b style="background-color: #f8f5f2;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://www.holbrooktravel.com/where-we-travel/central-and-south-america/costa-rica/costa-rica-hawk-watch-and-birding" target="_blank">October 24th - November 1st, 2023</a></span></b></div><div><span style="background-color: #f8f5f2;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://www.holbrooktravel.com/where-we-travel/central-and-south-america/costa-rica/costa-rica-hawk-watch-and-birding" target="_blank">REGISTER TODAY!</a> Just a few spots remaining! </span></b></span></div><div><b style="background-color: #f8f5f2;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></div><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Hawk Ri<a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Birding-at-Selva-Verde-by-Greg-Basco.jpg" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="size-medium wp-image-3835 alignright" decoding="async" height="0" sizes="(max-width: 280px) 100vw, 280px" src="https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Birding-at-Selva-Verde-by-Greg-Basco-280x187.jpg" srcset="https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Birding-at-Selva-Verde-by-Greg-Basco-280x187.jpg 280w, https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Birding-at-Selva-Verde-by-Greg-Basco-575x383.jpg 575w, https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Birding-at-Selva-Verde-by-Greg-Basco-768x512.jpg 768w, https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Birding-at-Selva-Verde-by-Greg-Basco-150x100.jpg 150w, https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Birding-at-Selva-Verde-by-Greg-Basco-216x144.jpg 216w, https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Birding-at-Selva-Verde-by-Greg-Basco-300x200.jpg 300w, https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Birding-at-Selva-Verde-by-Greg-Basco.jpg 800w" style="border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; float: right; height: auto; margin: 5px 0px 20px 20px; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: bottom; width: 280px;" width="280" /></a>dge and Holbrook Travel are off on another fascinating Costa Rica Adventure in the fall of 2023. A perfect excursion for nature lovers and avid birders- particularly those who have an interest in raptors! Venture to the Caribbean coastline and remote Tortuguero National Park, well known as one of the most important sea turtle nesting sites in the world, but also an extensive network of waterways and diverse species of birds and other wildlife.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="Broad-winged Hawk" border="0" height="272" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/fb3944f238/Broad-winged%20Hawk%20Spring%202022%202.jpg" style="height: 272px; width: 306px;" title="Broad-winged Hawk" vspace="0" width="306" /><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">The famed raptor hotspot of Kéköldi Indigenous Reserve is up next and there we will be witnessing not only raptors but other migratory birds streaming through on their way south during some of the heaviest traffic times in one of the busiest migration places in the world! It’s possible to see species like the Broad-winged Hawk, Peregrine Falcon, Osprey, and more. The numbers of birds who use this thoroughfare are mind-bending and October is usually when the highest counts happen.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Rufous-tailed-Jacamar-with-tree-resized.jpg" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="size-medium wp-image-3837 alignright" decoding="async" height="0" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 280px) 100vw, 280px" src="https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Rufous-tailed-Jacamar-with-tree-resized-280x210.jpg" srcset="https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Rufous-tailed-Jacamar-with-tree-resized-280x210.jpg 280w, https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Rufous-tailed-Jacamar-with-tree-resized-575x431.jpg 575w, https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Rufous-tailed-Jacamar-with-tree-resized-768x576.jpg 768w, https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Rufous-tailed-Jacamar-with-tree-resized-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Rufous-tailed-Jacamar-with-tree-resized-150x113.jpg 150w, https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Rufous-tailed-Jacamar-with-tree-resized-216x162.jpg 216w, https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Rufous-tailed-Jacamar-with-tree-resized-300x225.jpg 300w, https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Rufous-tailed-Jacamar-with-tree-resized.jpg 2000w" style="border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; float: right; height: auto; margin: 5px 0px 20px 20px; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: bottom; width: 280px;" width="280" /></a>Then journey inland to discover the rainforests of Selva Verde, our private eco-reserve set on 500 protected acres that hundreds of bird species call home. Take guided hikes in the private rainforest reserve at Selva Verde Lodge, with opportunities to see birds like the Keel-billed Toucan, Sunbittern, and endangered Great Green Macaw. We will also bird the trails of the world-renowned La Selva Biological Station, where more than half of Costa Rica’s species have been recorded.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Each day provides a variety of opportunities to make the most of the birding/nature touring available, as well as options for individual exploration and leisure time. You will be traveling with other nature enthusiasts to all share an amazing spectrum of bird experiences and knowledge. All meals are included and dining is often arranged outdoors or in private group seating. Your guides will be Hawk Ridge Education Director, Margie Menzies, and Mario Cordoba. Margie will be leading a spring 2023 international birding trip in Costa Rica and has also traveled to and bird banded in Costa Rica. Mario Cordoba has been a nature guide in Costa Rica for over 2 decades. </span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><b>Don’t miss this incredible experience! Space on this trip is limited to 10, and final payment for the trip is due July 21, 2023. </b><a href="http://holbrook.travel/hrbohawk-cr23" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;" target="_blank"><b>REGISTER HERE today!</b></a> Questions? Contact Debbie Sturdivant Jordan at 866-748-6146 or <a href="mailto:debbie@holbrooktravel.com" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;" target="_blank">debbie@holbrooktravel.com</a>, or Margie Menzies <a href="mailto:mmenzies@hawkridge.org" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;" target="_blank">mmenzies@hawkridge.org</a>. Hope to see you in October!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><u><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><u><span style="font-family: verdana;">2022 Research & Education Summary Reports</span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><img align="right" alt="Sara bird release Sept 22 3" border="0" height="218" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/fb3944f238/Sara%20bird%20release%20Sept%2022%203.jpg" style="height: 218px; width: 300px;" title="Sara bird release Sept 22 3" vspace="0" width="300" /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Here are the links to our 2022 fall research and education summaries:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/2022-Fall-Migration-Count-Report.pdf" target="_blank">Fall 2022 Bird Migration Count Summary</a> (raptor count totals <a href="https://www.hawkcount.org/month_summary.php?rsite=288" target="_blank">HERE</a>)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/2022-Hawk-Ridge-Raptor-Banding-Report.pdf" target="_blank">Fall 2022 Raptor Banding Summary</a> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/2022-Hawk-Ridge-Education-Report.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: verdana;">2022 Education Summary</span></a></p><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><u><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><u><span style="font-family: verdana;">Thank You for Your Support!</span></u></b></p><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory thanks all of our supporters. We appreciate you! As a nonprofit organization, we are primarily funded by individual gifts to put our bird migration research and education programs in action. Below are some of the ways you can help us keep sharing the magic of the bird migration!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 14.2667px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><b><u>Support Hawk Ridge by Shopping!</u></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><img align="right" alt="50th Crewneck Sweatshirt - design by E Regnier" border="0" height="200" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/fb3944f238/50th%20Crewneck%20Sweatshirt.jpg" style="height: 200px; width: 200px;" title="50th Crewneck Sweatshirt - design by E Regnier" vspace="0" width="200" /><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">If you missed out on getting a limited edition 50th anniversary shirt or mug - you can still do so today! Purchase a variety of Hawk Ridge merchandise at the links below:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><a href="https://hawkridgeobservatory.itemorder.com/shop/sale/" target="_blank">Big Frog (direct ship or pick up at Duluth store)</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><a href="https://www.bonfire.com/store/hawk-ridge-limited-edition-merchandise/" target="_blank">Bonfire (direct ship)</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><a href="https://mugexp.com/collections/hawk-ridge" target="_blank">The Mug Experience - 50th mug (direct ship)</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="Banded bird release at Hawk Ridge by J Richardson" border="0" height="174" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/0a86a72a43/Banded%20bird%20release%20at%20Hawk%20Ridge%20by%20J%20Richardson.jpg" style="height: 174px; width: 130px;" title="Banded bird release at Hawk Ridge by J Richardson" vspace="0" width="130" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><b><u>Become A Member Today!</u></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">If you're already a member of Hawk Ridge, we sincerely appreciate your support! THANK YOU! If you're not a member and have enjoyed your experience with Hawk Ridge, we invite you to renew or join as a Hawk Ridge member today! Our memberships and donations help drive our bird conservation research and education programs. You can check out our exciting membership benefits and<a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/support/membership/" target="_blank"> <b>join or renew online HERE!</b></a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"> </span></p><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><u><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Simply Donate</span></span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">You can always simply donate online by clicking <a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/support/donate/" target="_blank">HERE</a> or by mailing a check made out to Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory, P.O. Box 3006, Duluth, MN 55803.</span></p></div></div></div><h3 style="border-color: black; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 6px; padding: 0px; width: 614px;"></h3><div style="border-color: black; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; clear: both; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; width: 614px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="http://www.hawkridge.org/support/donate/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #386eff;"></span></a><a href="http://www.hawkridge.org/support/donate/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #386eff;"></span></a><span style="font-size: small;">Thank you again for your wonderful gift of support! Hope to connect with you again soon! <br /></span></span><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />Sincerely,<br /><br />Janelle Long<br />Executive Director<br />Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory<br /><br />Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory<br />P.O. Box 3006<br />Duluth, MN 55803-3006</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Call: 218-428-6209</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Contact: mail@hawkridge.org</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Visit: www.hawkridge.org</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">501(c)3 Non-Profit Organization</span><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;">Federal Tax ID 76-0746366</span></span></p></div>Hawk Ridge Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03346381697590328711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5922014117958172534.post-74580675351093811182023-05-19T13:53:00.002-05:002023-05-19T13:53:31.413-05:00Hawk Ridge News - May 2023<div style="border-color: black; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; clear: both; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; width: 614px;"><p align="center" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><img align="none" alt="HRBO_DM_LogoCMYK 2" border="0" height="124" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/16fa9417c4/HRBO_DM_LogoCMYK%202.jpg" style="height: 124px; width: 306px;" title="HRBO_DM_LogoCMYK 2" vspace="0" width="306" /></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </p></div><h3 style="border-color: black; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 6px; padding: 0px; width: 614px;"></h3><div style="border-color: black; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; clear: both; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; width: 614px;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Dear Hawk Ridge Friends,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p><img align="right" alt="Osprey by S McLaughlin" border="0" height="247" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/3c17dbc1df/ospr-1.jpg" style="height: 247px; width: 306px;" title="Osprey by S McLaughlin" vspace="0" width="306" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Well let's hope April showers (and snow!) really do bring May flowers this month. It's been nice to have sunshine, warmer temperatures, and a variety of migrating birds returning in recent weeks. We invite you to visit and enjoy viewing the spring migration with us at our West Skyline Spring Count sites through the end of May. You can read the April migration summary and find out more below about our fun Spring Birding Day Trip lined up for May 20th (registration required), partnered Accessible Birding Events, Pick a Bird Brain Virtual Series, and other upcoming events! </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">P.S. If you missed our last e-newsletter, you can view that and older versions by clicking <a href="http://hawkridgeblog.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">HERE</a>. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><u><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><u><span style="font-family: verdana;">West Skyline Spring Count - April Summary</span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="IMG_0082" border="0" height="229" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/3c17dbc1df/IMG_0082.JPG" style="height: 229px; width: 306px;" title="IMG_0082" vspace="0" width="306" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">At the conclusion of April, two-thirds of the way through the season, the West Skyline Hawk Watch has counted 11,217 total raptors! Of this total, 9,017 arrived in April. Counts were conducted on 27 days, with three weather related cancellations. Snow is still very much a part of spring in Duluth, and in April the cumulation totals surpassed all other recorded years! Much of this snowpack dissipated by the end of the month with warming temperatures and sunny days. Total observation hours for April were 212.63. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><img align="right" alt="Turkey Vulture by J Richardson" border="0" height="204" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/3c17dbc1df/Turkey%20Vulture%20by%20J%20Richardson.jpg" style="height: 204px; width: 306px;" title="Turkey Vulture by J Richardson" vspace="0" width="306" /><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">April holds the most diverse raptor flights of the spring, sparking elation as plentiful Red-tailed hawks and Rough-legged hawks storm through, and highlights like a few Red-shouldered hawks and a Swainson’s hawk! Here are the numbers. Most numerous were Turkey Vultures, with a remarkable 2,813. Some exceptional warm days with SW wind brought some of the first big pushes, and the faucet didn’t turn off! High day was 433 on 4/12. Red-tailed hawks are the quintessential April raptor, and they showed up with 2,149! Kettles of Red-taileds are occasionally peppered with dark morphs, with up to a dozen dark birds seen on some days. High day was 616 on 4/7. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="Rough-legged Hawk by S McLaughlin " border="0" height="245" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/3c17dbc1df/rlha-2.jpg" style="height: 245px; width: 306px;" title="Rough-legged Hawk by S McLaughlin " vspace="0" width="306" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Rough-legged hawks were a surprise after a low count last fall, and the April total climbed to 298. High days for Rough-leggeds seem to happen on NE winds, potentially because they may “cut the corner,” or fly across the lake and avoid observers on W or SW wind. The high Bald Eagle day thus far for the season actually occurred on 4/3 with 308 eagles. April total is a respectable 1721, slightly above average. Osprey (51) was slightly below, but many should arrive throughout May. 65 Northern Harriers was slightly above, with some peak days happening in concurrence with NE wind, like Rough-legged hawks. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="Peregrine Falcon 22 by F Nicoletti" border="0" height="270" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/3c17dbc1df/Peregrine%20Falcon%2022%20by%20F%20Nicoletti.jpg" style="height: 270px; width: 306px;" title="Peregrine Falcon 22 by F Nicoletti" vspace="0" width="306" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Golden Eagles are tapering off, only 14 seen in April is about average for the month. Two accipiters, Sharp-shinned (1061) and Cooper’s Hawks (23) were near average. Notably, no Northern Goshawks have been seen. A May Gos is still possible, but these bulky accipiters are much tougher to see in springtime. Falcons are above average across the board! American Kestrel (70), Merlin (41) and Peregrine Falcon (14) are always a treat to spot, and many kestrel have given close flybys in the last month. Two unique but regular raptors seen at the watch this April were Red-shouldered Hawk (3) and Swainson’s Hawk (1). 82 total species were recorded at the hawk watch this month, including all raptor species. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="Sandhill Cranes by J Richardson" border="0" height="204" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/3c17dbc1df/Sandhill%20Cranes%20by%20J%20Richardson.JPG" style="height: 204px; width: 306px;" title="Sandhill Cranes by J Richardson" vspace="0" width="306" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Some non-raptor highlights were Sandhill Cranes (134), Lesser Black-backed Gull (1), Northern Flicker (150), and a few days of notable reverse migration of American Robins and Fox Sparrows in the thousands! Thanks to our faithful volunteers and regulars for all your good spotting! Your help in invaluable and always appreciated. See you at the watch soon! Counts continue daily until May 31.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;">Wanting minute to minute updates on what’s going on overhead? All count data is being reported on Trektellen this season, and the link to our page can be found <a href="https://www.trektellen.org/count/view/3604/" target="_blank">HERE</a> our via the live count button at hawkridge.org. </span>You can also still find our daily raptor counts and summary via HawkCount <a href="https://hawkcount.org/month_summary.php?r=on&rsite=543&go=Go+to+site" target="_blank">HERE</a>. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="Common Redpoll J.Cosentino" border="0" height="204" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/fa3f89efde/Common%20Redpoll%20J.Cosentino.JPG" style="height: 204px; width: 306px;" title="Common Redpoll J.Cosentino" vspace="0" width="306" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;"><u>Note on viewing our live count on Trektellen</u>: Trektellen is an international site that is used by researchers all over the world, and has several language options. For most American readers, this language will default to “English.” This will display some unfamiliar names of birds, typically used by our British friends across the pond. So, if you're c</span>onfused by why you might see Mealy Redpolls or Rough-legged Buzzards listed, here's how to switch to more familiar American bird names. All you need to do is switch your language to “American English” in the upper right corner of the Trektellen page! </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Thanks and hope to see you at the count! </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Sean McLaughlin</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Spring Counter</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><u><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><u><span style="font-family: verdana;">Upcoming Events</span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;"><b style="background-color: #f8f5f2;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Spring Birding Day Trip</span></b></p><div><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">Saturday, May 20th </span></b></div><div><b><a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/event/spring-birding-day-trip-may-20/" id="" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: verdana;">REGISTER HERE!</span></a></b></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><img align="right" alt="Blackburnian Warbler by Karl Bardon" border="0" height="204" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/3c17dbc1df/Blackburnian%20Warbler%20by%20Karl%20Bardon.jpg" style="height: 204px; width: 306px;" title="Blackburnian Warbler by Karl Bardon" vspace="0" width="306" /><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Join us on Saturday, May 20th for a Spring Birding Day Trip! The third weekend in the month of May is often the peak of spring migration for this area – at least for the later season colorful migrants including warblers and numerous other woodland species. We will concentrate our efforts in the Duluth area and will plan to visit a variety of local area hotspots from the lakeshore to fields and woods, including a stop at our West Skyline Spring Hawkwatch! </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">The plan is to spend the morning/afternoon migrating to where the birds are to see who we can find, while keeping a “Big Birding Day” list. This birding day trip adventure will be led by Margie Menzies, Hawk Ridge Education Director, as well as other Hawk Ridge staff, as available! All ages/abilities/levels of birders are welcome! </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Cost: $50 members/students; $65 non-members (min. 8, max. 15).</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #222222;">For more information and registration - click <a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/event/spring-birding-day-trip-may-20/" id="" target="_blank">HERE</a> - or go to our Events tab at hawkridge.org. S</span></span><span style="color: #222222;">pace is limited to 15 participants and registration closes once filled. Please c</span><span style="color: #222222;">ontact Margie Menzies at </span><a href="mailto:mmenzies@hawkridge.org" style="color: #0563c1;" target="_blank">mmenzies@hawkridge.org</a><span style="color: #222222;"> or 218-428-8722 with questions. We hope to see you there! </span></span></div><div><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #f8f5f2;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">Summer Master Naturalist Course</span></b></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #f8f5f2;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">Saturdays June 10, June 24, July 8, July 22, and Aug 12</span></b></span></p><div><b><a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/event/summer-master-naturalist-class-2023/" id="" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: verdana;">REGISTER HERE!</span></a></b></div></div><div><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div><img align="right" alt="Canada Warbler (E Bruhnke)" border="0" height="201" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/3c17dbc1df/Canada%20Warbler%20(E%20Bruhnke).jpg" style="height: 201px; width: 306px;" title="Canada Warbler (E Bruhnke)" vspace="0" width="306" /><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Where better to take the North Woods, Great Lakes course than right on the shores of Lake Superior with Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory? The historic University of Minnesota Limnology Lab in Duluth, Minnesota will be our basecamp for a field-oriented class. Each session we will travel to explore new ecological community types in the Duluth region in the peak of their productive summer season. You will learn about the fascinating geology, plant and animal communities, inland lakes and bogs, ecology and human interactions of the Northwoods, as well as how Lake Superior impacts and interacts with these ecosystems. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory Education Director and Master Naturalist Instructor, Margie Menzies, will lead this exciting summer class. The course will run from 9 am to 5 pm every other Saturday for 5 sessions beginning June 10 and ending August 12, 2023. Field trips will be incorporated into the scheduled class days. A capstone project is expected of participants and will be completed in small groups, with possible projects suggestions provided by the instructor. The course cost is $295 and includes course manuals and supplies.</span></div><div><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;">Register <a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/event/summer-master-naturalist-class-2023/" id="" target="_blank">HERE</a> today under our Events tab at hawkridge.org. S</span>pace is limited to 22 participants and registration closes once filled. Please contact Margie Menzies at <a href="mailto:mmenzies@hawkridge.org" target="_blank">mmenzies@hawkridge.org</a> or 218-428-8722 with questions. We hope to see you there! </span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><u><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/pick-a-bird-brain-series-2023/" target="_blank">Pick a Bird Brain Virtual Program Series</a> </span></u></b></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">The 2023 Pick a Bird Brain series will focus on highlighting some of the amazing research projects with Hawk Ridge. Each month through the winter/spring we will feature a different project and you will have a front row seat to find out more about what we have been learning. Programs are free, but pre-registration is required, with a registration link provided in each presentation’s description.</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Next in Series is Mon. May 22nd, 7:00 pm (note: date correction)</span></strong></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><b>Hawk Ridge Raptor Count Trends - 50 Years and Counting! </b></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><b>By Dr. Gerald Niemi</b></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><b><br /></b></span></p><img align="right" alt="Fall Counters at Hawk Ridge" border="0" height="230" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/3c17dbc1df/Fall%20Counters%20at%20Hawk%20Ridge.jpg" style="height: 230px; width: 306px;" title="Fall Counters at Hawk Ridge" vspace="0" width="306" /><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">What have we learned from fifty years of fall raptor counts at Hawk Ridge? Over 20 raptor species have been counted migrating at Hawk Ridge, but only 14 species are considered common enough during the fall migration to detect their population trend. Results from the Raptor Population Index indicated that counts since 1974 have increased for five species that reflect their increasing populations. In contrast, over that same period, counts for five species have declined or have mixed positive and negative trends. Four species have shown no perceptible change in counts, but they have been highly variable over the past fifty years. Causes for the population increases or decreases are complex, but are likely associated with banning the use of DDT in 1972, habitat changes on both breeding and wintering ranges, climate change, reduction in human persecution, and other species-specific factors. Jerry Niemi will review the trends for each of these species and what we know or speculate are causes for the species population trends. </span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="Dr. Gerald "Jerry" Niemi. Photo by J. Niemi" border="0" height="261" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/3c17dbc1df/Jerry%20Niemi%20doing%20a%20Minnesota%20Breeding%20Bird%20Atlas%20count.%20Photo%20by%20Jarad%20Niemi%202.jpg" style="height: 261px; width: 175px;" title="Dr. Gerald "Jerry" Niemi. Photo by J. Niemi" vspace="0" width="175" /><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;">Gerald Niemi is a retired Professor Emeritus at the University of Minnesota-Duluth (UM-D). He was formerly Professor of Biology and Director of the Center for Water and the Environment at the Natural Resources Research Institute at UM-D. He received his Ph.D. in Biology at Florida State University in 1983 and was a Fulbright scholar in Finland in 1981. He has published over </span>160 peer-reviewed papers and over 130 technical reports and popular articles. His research has focused on birds, Great Lakes ecosystems, conservation, climate change, ecotoxicology, and the sustainability in the use of natural resources. </span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Registration is required for this presentation. <a href="https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEvc-iorjkrG9BAzQAmbnlKlsCZ9Njup_FK#/registration" id="" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;" target="_blank">Register Here</a></span><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="Northern Goshawk by H Toutonghi" border="0" height="207" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/fa3f89efde/Northern%20Goshawk%20by%20H%20Toutonghi.JPG" style="height: 207px; width: 200px;" title="Northern Goshawk by H Toutonghi" vspace="0" width="200" /><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Cost: Free (<a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/support/donate/" target="_blank">donations</a> are always appreciated!)</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">P.S. If you missed the last Pick a Bird Brain virtual events you can view recordings below: </span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><a href="https://youtu.be/G3555L-en3s" target="_blank">Using DNA Metabarcoding to Study the Diet of Raptors during Migration</a> by Lisa Brouellette (April 18th)</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YuCCF3iG3E" target="_blank">Periodic Invasions of Northern Goshawks</a> by Dick Green (March 21st)</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><a href="https://youtu.be/BJf2mqleEZk" target="_blank">The Forever Chemicals: What Do We Need to Know About Their Effects on Birds and How Will We Learn It?</a> by Matt Etterson (Feb. 23rd)</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDWF_-9WqhM&t=5s" rel="noopener" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;" target="_blank"><span data-rich-links="{"fple-t":"The Secrets that Feathers Hold: Using Feathers to Trace Migration","fple-u":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDWF_-9WqhM&t=5s","fple-mt":null,"type":"first-party-link"}">The Secrets that Feathers Hold: Using Feathers to Trace Migration</span></a> by Emily Pavlovic (Jan. 24th)</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p></div><div><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #f8f5f2;"><b><a href="https://folsr.org/events/jmn35mkm5c8nn49wwkchswsz4tg9we?fbclid=IwAR1xq-2Sqo7JWs1ndMj9VSpNAut1mTbVPTi8ikUL8HDr2v1PFB6dLtx-e7E&fbclid=IwAR3PuakPbcWyMV47FaMfuJoJhG8K47Aotrwduea36j1URqOBDPkVAvMGIpA" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Everyone Can Bird: Accessible Birding Series</span></a></b></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #f8f5f2;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">Sat. May 6th, Wed. August 2nd, Sat. October 14th </span></b></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Join the Lake Superior Reserve, Hawk Ridge, Wisconsin Sea Grant, Minnesota Land Trust, and the Friends of the Lake Superior Reserve for a free, bird-focused morning as part of an accessible birding series. We welcome people of all ages and ability levels to attend this accessible birding series! </span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="Margie Menzies and birders by Marie Zhuikov 2" border="0" height="279" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/3c17dbc1df/Margie%20Menzies%20and%20birders%20by%20Marie%20Zhuikov%202.jpg" style="height: 279px; width: 275px;" title="Margie Menzies and birders by Marie Zhuikov 2" vspace="0" width="275" /><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>The first event will be held Saturday, May 6th 9:30-11:30am (weather back-up date Sun. May 7th) at Boy Scout Landing in West Duluth. </b>Observe waterfowl from the comfort of the landing with fellow bird enthusiasts and beginners alike. Light refreshments will be provided. Come and stay for the whole time, or meet up with or leave the group when you need. We have 15 pairs of binoculars for people to use, a spotting scope, and a wheelchair mount for the scope. There will be seating for up to 10 people provided, and attendees are encouraged to bring chairs to use or share. American Sign Language interpretation will be provided. </span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="boyscoutlanding2016scenic_269x202 2" border="0" height="113" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/3c17dbc1df/boyscoutlanding2016scenic_269x202%202.jpg" style="height: 113px; width: 150px;" title="boyscoutlanding2016scenic_269x202 2" vspace="0" width="150" /><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Boy Scout Landing has a paved landing, where we will be spending the morning. Optional other locations for bird viewing are a wooden dock without railings and a small beach accessible by a short path made of compacted soil with a brief but significant slope. Both optional locations are directly adjacent to the main gathering place. Two portable restrooms will be available, one of which is wheelchair accessible.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/everyone-can-bird-spring-arrivals-at-boy-scout-landing-tickets-607415454977" target="_blank">To register visit the event page here</a>. Registration is encouraged but not required. Further events are scheduled for August 2 at Barker’s Island in Superior, and October 14 at Hawk Ridge in Duluth. These activities are designed with access in mind, but if you would like to request additional accommodations, please email Luciana.Ranelli@Wisc.Edu or call Luciana at 715-399-4085 at least 10 days before the event. </span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;"><b><a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/research/bird-monitoring/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: verdana;">West Skyline Spring Count</span></a></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #f8f5f2;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">March 1 - May 31, 2023</span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: #f8f5f2;"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><img align="right" alt="Bald Eagle Spring Count March 2021 F Nicoletti" border="0" height="193" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/f0cba2cbd6/Bald%20Eagle%20Spring%20Count%20March%202021%20F%20Nicoletti.jpg" style="height: 193px; width: 290px;" title="Bald Eagle Spring Count March 2021 F Nicoletti" vspace="0" width="290" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">2023 marks the 6<sup>th</sup> consecutive, full spring season of bird migration monitoring research at the West Skyline Spring Count in Duluth, MN! This is one of the premier spring bird migration sites in North America with record numbers of Bald and Golden Eagles, as well as other raptor species. The spring migration count average from 2018-2022 is 24,000 raptors and thousands of other migrating birds. Over 130 different bird species were recorded in 2022! Spring migration highlights include an amazing diversity of 15-20 different raptor species, as outlined:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 13.2pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Peak for each species (high counts listed)</span></b></p><ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Eagles: around March 25 (Bald: 100-500/day; Golden: 10/day)</span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Rough-legged Hawks: April 10-20 (up to 75/day)</span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Red-tailed Hawks: April 10-20 (1,000-2,000/day)</span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Broad-winged Hawks: May 1-10 (3,000-4,000/day)</span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Sharp-shinned Hawks: April 10-20 (up to 450/day)</span></li></ul><img align="left" alt="Hawk Ridge West Skyline Spring Count" border="0" height="150" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/fb3944f238/IMG_7938%202.jpg" style="height: 150px; width: 200px;" title="Hawk Ridge West Skyline Spring Count" vspace="0" width="200" /><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/plan-your-visit/visitors-guide-spring-2/" id="" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a> to find out more info on visiting this spring! We will have a live count feature on our home page at hawkridge.org, so you can follow along. You will also be able to view our raptor count numbers via HawkCount <a href="https://www.hawkcount.org/month_summary.php?r=on&rsite=543&go=Go+to+site" target="_blank">HERE</a>. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div></div><div><b style="background-color: #f8f5f2;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b style="background-color: #f8f5f2;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Hawk Weekend Festival</span></b></div><div><b style="background-color: #f8f5f2;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Save the Dates! </span></b></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b style="background-color: #f8f5f2;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Sept. 15th-17th, 2023</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="Visitors watching raptor release at Hawk Ridge fall" border="0" height="229" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/fb3944f238/Visitors%20watching%20raptor%20release%20at%20Hawk%20Ridge%20fall.jpg" style="height: 229px; width: 306px;" title="Visitors watching raptor release at Hawk Ridge fall" vspace="0" width="306" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Come and celebrate the amazing fall bird migration with us! Hawk Weekend is the annual festival held by Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory in Duluth, MN. Bird migration research and education programs have been shared with visitors throughout the world each fall at Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve for over 50 years! Join us for a fun weekend with a variety of birding field trips, nature hikes, programs, and activities for all ages! </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">We are happy to announce Dr. Laurie Goodrich, Hawk Mountain Sarkis Acopian Director of Conservation Science, will be joining us as our keynote speaker! Registration and more info coming soon!</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></p><div><span style="background-color: #f8f5f2;"><b><a href="https://www.holbrooktravel.com/where-we-travel/central-and-south-america/costa-rica/costa-rica-hawk-watch-and-birding" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: verdana;">International Birding Trip</span></a></b></span></div><div><span style="background-color: #f8f5f2;"><b><a href="https://www.holbrooktravel.com/where-we-travel/central-and-south-america/costa-rica/costa-rica-hawk-watch-and-birding" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Costa Rica - Hawk Watch & Birding Tour</span></a></b></span></div><div><b style="background-color: #f8f5f2;"><a href="https://www.holbrooktravel.com/where-we-travel/central-and-south-america/costa-rica/costa-rica-hawk-watch-and-birding" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: verdana;">October 24th - November 1st, 2023</span></a></b></div><div><b style="background-color: #f8f5f2;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></div><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Hawk Ri<a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Birding-at-Selva-Verde-by-Greg-Basco.jpg" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="size-medium wp-image-3835 alignright" decoding="async" height="0" sizes="(max-width: 280px) 100vw, 280px" src="https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Birding-at-Selva-Verde-by-Greg-Basco-280x187.jpg" srcset="https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Birding-at-Selva-Verde-by-Greg-Basco-280x187.jpg 280w, https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Birding-at-Selva-Verde-by-Greg-Basco-575x383.jpg 575w, https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Birding-at-Selva-Verde-by-Greg-Basco-768x512.jpg 768w, https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Birding-at-Selva-Verde-by-Greg-Basco-150x100.jpg 150w, https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Birding-at-Selva-Verde-by-Greg-Basco-216x144.jpg 216w, https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Birding-at-Selva-Verde-by-Greg-Basco-300x200.jpg 300w, https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Birding-at-Selva-Verde-by-Greg-Basco.jpg 800w" style="border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; float: right; height: auto; margin: 5px 0px 20px 20px; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: bottom; width: 280px;" width="280" /></a>dge and Holbrook Travel are off on another fascinating Costa Rica Adventure in the fall of 2023. A perfect excursion for nature lovers and avid birders- particularly those who have an interest in raptors! Venture to the Caribbean coastline and remote Tortuguero National Park, well known as one of the most important sea turtle nesting sites in the world, but also an extensive network of waterways and diverse species of birds and other wildlife.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="Broad-winged Hawk" border="0" height="272" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/fb3944f238/Broad-winged%20Hawk%20Spring%202022%202.jpg" style="height: 272px; width: 306px;" title="Broad-winged Hawk" vspace="0" width="306" /><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">The famed raptor hotspot of Kéköldi Indigenous Reserve is up next and there we will be witnessing not only raptors but other migratory birds streaming through on their way south during some of the heaviest traffic times in one of the busiest migration places in the world! It’s possible to see species like the Broad-winged Hawk, Peregrine Falcon, Osprey, and more. The numbers of birds who use this thoroughfare are mind-bending and October is usually when the highest counts happen.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Rufous-tailed-Jacamar-with-tree-resized.jpg" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="size-medium wp-image-3837 alignright" decoding="async" height="0" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 280px) 100vw, 280px" src="https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Rufous-tailed-Jacamar-with-tree-resized-280x210.jpg" srcset="https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Rufous-tailed-Jacamar-with-tree-resized-280x210.jpg 280w, https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Rufous-tailed-Jacamar-with-tree-resized-575x431.jpg 575w, https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Rufous-tailed-Jacamar-with-tree-resized-768x576.jpg 768w, https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Rufous-tailed-Jacamar-with-tree-resized-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Rufous-tailed-Jacamar-with-tree-resized-150x113.jpg 150w, https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Rufous-tailed-Jacamar-with-tree-resized-216x162.jpg 216w, https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Rufous-tailed-Jacamar-with-tree-resized-300x225.jpg 300w, https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Rufous-tailed-Jacamar-with-tree-resized.jpg 2000w" style="border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; float: right; height: auto; margin: 5px 0px 20px 20px; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: bottom; width: 280px;" width="280" /></a>Then journey inland to discover the rainforests of Selva Verde, our private eco-reserve set on 500 protected acres that hundreds of bird species call home. Take guided hikes in the private rainforest reserve at Selva Verde Lodge, with opportunities to see birds like the Keel-billed Toucan, Sunbittern, and endangered Great Green Macaw. We will also bird the trails of the world-renowned La Selva Biological Station, where more than half of Costa Rica’s species have been recorded.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Each day provides a variety of opportunities to make the most of the birding/nature touring available, as well as options for individual exploration and leisure time. You will be traveling with other nature enthusiasts to all share an amazing spectrum of bird experiences and knowledge. All meals are included and dining is often arranged outdoors or in private group seating. Your guides will be Hawk Ridge Education Director, Margie Menzies, and Mario Cordoba. Margie will be leading a spring 2023 international birding trip in Costa Rica and has also traveled to and bird banded in Costa Rica. Mario Cordoba has been a nature guide in Costa Rica for over 2 decades. </span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><b>Don’t miss this incredible experience! Space on this trip is limited to 10, and final payment for the trip is due July 21, 2023. </b><a href="http://holbrook.travel/hrbohawk-cr23" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;" target="_blank"><b>REGISTER HERE today!</b></a> Questions? Contact Debbie Sturdivant Jordan at 866-748-6146 or <a href="mailto:debbie@holbrooktravel.com" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;" target="_blank">debbie@holbrooktravel.com</a>, or Margie Menzies <a href="mailto:mmenzies@hawkridge.org" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;" target="_blank">mmenzies@hawkridge.org</a>. Hope to see you in October!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><u><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><u><span style="font-family: verdana;">2022 Research & Education Summary Reports</span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><img align="right" alt="Sara bird release Sept 22 3" border="0" height="218" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/fb3944f238/Sara%20bird%20release%20Sept%2022%203.jpg" style="height: 218px; width: 300px;" title="Sara bird release Sept 22 3" vspace="0" width="300" /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Here are the links to our 2022 fall research and education summaries:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/2022-Fall-Migration-Count-Report.pdf" target="_blank">Fall 2022 Bird Migration Count Summary</a> (raptor count totals <a href="https://www.hawkcount.org/month_summary.php?rsite=288" target="_blank">HERE</a>)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/2022-Hawk-Ridge-Raptor-Banding-Report.pdf" target="_blank">Fall 2022 Raptor Banding Summary</a> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/2022-Hawk-Ridge-Education-Report.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: verdana;">2022 Education Summary</span></a></p><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><u><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><u><span style="font-family: verdana;">Thank You for Your Support!</span></u></b></p><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory thanks all of our supporters. We appreciate you! As a nonprofit organization, we are primarily funded by individual gifts to put our bird migration research and education programs in action. Below are some of the ways you can help us keep sharing the magic of the bird migration!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 14.2667px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><b><u>Support Hawk Ridge by Shopping!</u></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><img align="right" alt="50th Crewneck Sweatshirt - design by E Regnier" border="0" height="200" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/fb3944f238/50th%20Crewneck%20Sweatshirt.jpg" style="height: 200px; width: 200px;" title="50th Crewneck Sweatshirt - design by E Regnier" vspace="0" width="200" /><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">If you missed out on getting a limited edition 50th anniversary shirt or mug - you can still do so today! Purchase a variety of Hawk Ridge merchandise at the links below:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><a href="https://hawkridgeobservatory.itemorder.com/shop/sale/" target="_blank">Big Frog (direct ship or pick up at Duluth store)</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><a href="https://www.bonfire.com/store/hawk-ridge-limited-edition-merchandise/" target="_blank">Bonfire (direct ship)</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><a href="https://mugexp.com/collections/hawk-ridge" target="_blank">The Mug Experience - 50th mug (direct ship)</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="Banded bird release at Hawk Ridge by J Richardson" border="0" height="174" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/0a86a72a43/Banded%20bird%20release%20at%20Hawk%20Ridge%20by%20J%20Richardson.jpg" style="height: 174px; width: 130px;" title="Banded bird release at Hawk Ridge by J Richardson" vspace="0" width="130" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><b><u>Become A Member Today!</u></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">If you're already a member of Hawk Ridge, we sincerely appreciate your support! THANK YOU! If you're not a member and have enjoyed your experience with Hawk Ridge, we invite you to renew or join as a Hawk Ridge member today! Our memberships and donations help drive our bird conservation research and education programs. You can check out our exciting membership benefits and<a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/support/membership/" target="_blank"> <b>join or renew online HERE!</b></a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"> </span></p><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><u><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Simply Donate</span></span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">You can always simply donate online by clicking <a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/support/donate/" target="_blank">HERE</a> or by mailing a check made out to Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory, P.O. Box 3006, Duluth, MN 55803.</span></p></div></div></div><h3 style="border-color: black; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 6px; padding: 0px; width: 614px;"></h3><div style="border-color: black; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; clear: both; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; width: 614px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="http://www.hawkridge.org/support/donate/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #386eff;"></span></a><a href="http://www.hawkridge.org/support/donate/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #386eff;"></span></a><span style="font-size: small;">Thank you again for your wonderful gift of support! Hope to connect with you again soon! <br /></span></span><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br />Sincerely,<br /><br />Janelle Long<br />Executive Director<br />Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory<br /><br />Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory<br />P.O. Box 3006<br />Duluth, MN 55803-3006<br />Call: 218-428-6209<br />Contact: mail@hawkridge.org<br />Visit: www.hawkridge.org<br />501(c)3 Non-Profit Organization<br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Federal Tax ID 76-0746366</span></span></p></div>Hawk Ridge Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03346381697590328711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5922014117958172534.post-7905625016499242442023-04-26T13:20:00.001-05:002023-04-26T13:20:43.200-05:00Hawk Ridge News - April 2023<p> <img align="none" alt="HRBO_DM_LogoCMYK 2" border="0" height="124" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/16fa9417c4/HRBO_DM_LogoCMYK%202.jpg" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; height: 124px; width: 306px;" title="HRBO_DM_LogoCMYK 2" vspace="0" width="306" /></p><div style="border-color: black; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; clear: both; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; width: 614px;"><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </p></div><h3 style="border-color: black; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 6px; padding: 0px; width: 614px;"></h3><div style="border-color: black; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; clear: both; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; width: 614px;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Dear Hawk Ridge Friends,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p><img align="right" alt="Red-tailed Hawk at West Skyline Spring Count" border="0" height="204" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/fa3f89efde/IMG_3640.JPG" style="height: 204px; width: 306px;" title="Red-tailed Hawk at West Skyline Spring Count" vspace="0" width="306" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">This has been an interesting start to April, as the snow and cold returned and pushed some of the birds to migrate back south! Hopefully, we'll see some warmer temps again soon and continue to enjoy viewing the great spring migration at our West Skyline Spring Count. You can read the March migration summary below. We invite you to join us at the count and/or for some of our upcoming spring workshops/field trips! Our Spring Migration Workshop Weekend is taking place April 21st-23rd and Spring Boreal Birds Exploration Field Trip is April 29-30th (w/optional add-on Fri. 4/28). Find out more below on how to register and other upcoming events! </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">P.S. If you missed our last e-newsletter, you can view that and older versions by clicking <a href="http://hawkridgeblog.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">HERE</a>. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><u><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><u><span style="font-family: verdana;">West Skyline Spring Count Update</span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #222222;"><br /></span></span></p><img align="right" alt="Hawk Ridge West Skyline Spring Count 2023" border="0" height="230" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/fa3f89efde/Hawk%20Ridge%20West%20Skyline%20Spring%20Count%202023.jpg" style="height: 230px; width: 306px;" title="Hawk Ridge West Skyline Spring Count 2023" vspace="0" width="306" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">The first month of West Skyline Hawk Count included counts on 30 days, totaling 208.3 hours of observation. These counts tallied 2,197 raptors, slightly below the 5-year average. Several snowstorms occurred throughout March, bringing accumulations to Duluth that potentially slowed raptor movement. Notably, this is the 3rd highest cumulative snowfall total in a Duluth winter with 131.7 inches recorded.<br /><br /></span><img align="right" alt="Bald Eagle in flight March 2023 by F Nicoletti" border="0" height="346" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/fa3f89efde/Bald%20Eagle%20in%20flight%20March%202023%20by%20F%20Nicoletti.jpg" style="height: 346px; width: 306px;" title="Bald Eagle in flight March 2023 by F Nicoletti" vspace="0" width="306" /><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">The vast majority of raptors counted in March were Bald Eagles, as expected. The 1,995 Balds is slightly below average for March, but still an impressive count compared to most other North American hawk watch eagle totals. We received no excessive single day flights, but rather consistent flights throughout the month. The largest Bald eagle flight took place on March 24, with 271. April will likely bring many of the Bald Eagles that we expect to see in Duluth. The other eagle species, Goldens, also showed slightly below average. 99 for the month arrived primarily on March 20 and 23, with 22 and 18 respectively.<br /><br /></span><img align="right" alt="Red-tailed Hawk by S McLaughlin Spring 2023" border="0" height="234" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/fa3f89efde/Red-tailed%20Hawk%20by%20S%20McLaughlin%20Spring%202023.jpg" style="height: 234px; width: 306px;" title="Red-tailed Hawk by S McLaughlin Spring 2023" vspace="0" width="306" /><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Red-tailed Hawks were the third most prevalent with 94 observed in the month. More are definitely to come. First arrivals of Merlin, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Cooper’s Hawk, Rough-legged Hawk and American Kestrel were recorded, but no major flights of these species have occurred yet. Non-raptor species have included some migrant boreal finches like Pine Grosbeak (34), Common Redpoll (59), and another northern migrant Bohemian Waxwing (1764).<br /><br /></span><img align="right" alt="Frank and spring count volunteer crew March 2023 2" border="0" height="225" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/fa3f89efde/Frank%20and%20spring%20count%20volunteer%20crew%20March%202023%202.jpg" style="height: 225px; width: 300px;" title="Frank and spring count volunteer crew March 2023 2" vspace="0" width="300" /><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">We continue to have great help from volunteers and Hawk Ridge staff, as well as excited visitors who are happy to see and hear about migration in Duluth. As weather warms, we hope to see many more of you at the watch! Counts continue every day through April and May.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;">Wanting minute to minute updates on what’s going on overhead? All count data is being reported on Trektellen this season, and the link to our page can be found <a href="https://www.trektellen.org/count/view/3604/" target="_blank">HERE</a> our via the live count button at hawkridge.org. </span>You can also still find our daily raptor counts and summary via HawkCount <a href="https://hawkcount.org/month_summary.php?r=on&rsite=543&go=Go+to+site" target="_blank">HERE</a>. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="Common Redpoll J.Cosentino" border="0" height="204" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/fa3f89efde/Common%20Redpoll%20J.Cosentino.JPG" style="height: 204px; width: 306px;" title="Common Redpoll J.Cosentino" vspace="0" width="306" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;"><u>Note on viewing our live count on Trektellen</u>: Trektellen is an international site that is used by researchers all over the world, and has several language options. For most American readers, this language will default to “English.” This will display some unfamiliar names of birds, typically used by our British friends across the pond. So, if you're c</span>onfused by why you might see Mealy Redpolls or Rough-legged Buzzards listed, here's how to switch to more familiar American bird names. All you need to do is switch your language to “American English” in the upper right corner of the Trektellen page! </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Thanks and hope to see you at the count! </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Sean McLaughlin</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Spring Counter</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><u><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><u><span style="font-family: verdana;">Upcoming Events</span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;"><b style="background-color: #f8f5f2;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Spring Migration Workshop</span></b></p><div><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">Fri. April 21st - Sun. April 23rd</span></b></div><div><b><a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/event/spring-migration-workshop/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: verdana;">REGISTER HERE!</span></a></b></div><div><span style="background-color: #f8f5f2;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></span></div><img align="right" alt="IMG_3747" border="0" height="237" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/fa3f89efde/IMG_3747.JPG" style="height: 237px; width: 250px;" title="IMG_3747" vspace="0" width="250" /><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #222222;">Hawk Ridge has been monitoring the fall bird migration since the 1950’s, but did you know that the </span><span style="color: #222222;">West Skyline Spring Count ranks as one of the top sites in the US for numbers and diversity of raptors </span><span style="color: #222222;">during the spring migration? Late April is likely to provide a wide variety and ages of raptors </span><span style="color: #222222;">traveling through on their way north, as well as plenty of other species of birds. Join us for an exciting workshop exploring the Spring 2023 bird migration! </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #222222;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #222222;"><br /></span></span></div><img align="right" alt="Bald Eagle March Spring Count 2021 F Nicoletti" border="0" height="190" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/fa3f89efde/Bald%20Eagle%20March%20Spring%20Count%202021%20F%20Nicoletti.jpg" style="height: 190px; width: 275px;" title="Bald Eagle March Spring Count 2021 F Nicoletti" vspace="0" width="275" /><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #222222;">We will enjoy fun field days learning first hand at the Hawk Ridge West Skyline Spring Count in Duluth, MN (world record site for numbers of Bald Eagles counted in one day!), as well as other local hotspots (ex. Duluth Harbor and St. Louis River area). Hawk Ridge Education Director, Margie Menzies, and other key staff (as well as the beautiful migrating birds!) will teach you about the exciting science of spring migration, raptor identification techniques, natural history of key species, current Hawk Ridge Research, and more! </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #222222;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #222222;">Register <a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/event/spring-migration-workshop/" target="_blank">HERE</a> today under our Events tab at hawkridge.org. S</span></span><span style="color: #222222;">pace is limited to 15 participants and registration closes once filled. Please c</span><span style="color: #222222;">ontact Margie Menzies at </span><a href="mailto:mmenzies@hawkridge.org" style="color: #0563c1;" target="_blank">mmenzies@hawkridge.org</a><span style="color: #222222;"> or 218-428-8722 with questions. We hope to see you there! </span></span></div><div><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #f8f5f2;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">Spring Boreal Birds Exploration Weekend Field Trip</span></b></span></p><div><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">Sat. April 29th - Sun. April 30th (Optional Fri. April 28th)</span></b></div><div><b><a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/event/boreal-birds-exploration-weekend/" id="" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: verdana;">REGISTER HERE!</span></a></b></div></div><div><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div><img align="right" alt="" border="0" height="191" hspace="0" src="https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Bo-Waxwings-I.jpg" style="height: 191px; width: 300px;" title="" vspace="0" width="300" /><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Northern Minnesota is well known for long winters and cold ones at that. But it is also one of the best places in the US to see some amazing northern resident birds and fascinating over-wintering birds from points even further north! Even late in April it is possible to get out and look for all of these amazing birds. It will be warmer and also has the advantage of spring migration being well underway already for a number of species. We will explore the ecology of the northern landscape which is the backbone for who can be found where- each of these birds has a story! Join Hawk Ridge leaders Frank Nicoletti and Margie Menzies for a fascinating 2-day weekend exploration of this area (with an optional early bird Friday afternoon in the Duluth/Superior Area). </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><img align="right" alt="Northern Hawk Owl by michaelfurtman.com" border="0" height="204" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/fa3f89efde/Northern%20Hawk%20Owl.jpg" style="height: 204px; width: 306px;" title="Northern Hawk Owl by michaelfurtman.com" vspace="0" width="306" /><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Depending on conditions and where the birds are, we will spread our two day adventures over two distinct locations, the Sax-Zim Bog area to the northwest of Duluth and the Superior National Forest and North Shore of Lake Superior to the northeast. We will see what skill and luck can find us and take a closer look at patterns and conditions that contribute to the story of each of these species of birds. Possible species include Great Gray Owl, Black-backed Woodpecker, Boreal Chickadee, Northern Hawk-Owl, Ruffed Grouse, Spruce Grouse, Evening Grosbeak, Northern Shrike, Black-billed Magpie, White-winged Crossbill, Canada Jay, Common Redpoll, Bohemian Waxwings, and many more!</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><b><i><a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Rough-legged-Hawk.jpg" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="size-medium wp-image-3956 alignright" decoding="async" height="0" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 280px) 100vw, 280px" src="https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Rough-legged-Hawk-280x187.jpg" srcset="https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Rough-legged-Hawk-280x187.jpg 280w, https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Rough-legged-Hawk-575x383.jpg 575w, https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Rough-legged-Hawk-768x512.jpg 768w, https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Rough-legged-Hawk-150x100.jpg 150w, https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Rough-legged-Hawk-216x144.jpg 216w, https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Rough-legged-Hawk-300x200.jpg 300w, https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Rough-legged-Hawk.jpg 960w" style="border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; float: right; height: auto; margin: 5px 0px 20px 20px; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: bottom; width: 280px;" width="280" /></a>Optional Friday 4/28 afternoon trip</i></b>: If you are able to come in earlier on Friday, we will offer an afternoon exploration in the Duluth/Superior area, we will definitely have birds in the harbor including gulls and ducks, a visit to the spring raptor count site, or other highlights that might be happening in the local area. This would run from roughly 1 pm til dusk. </span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #222222;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #222222;">Register <a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/event/boreal-birds-exploration-weekend/" id="" target="_blank">HERE</a> today under our Events tab at hawkridge.org. S</span></span><span style="color: #222222;">pace is limited to 12 participants and registration closes once filled. Please c</span><span style="color: #222222;">ontact Margie Menzies at </span><a href="mailto:mmenzies@hawkridge.org" style="color: #0563c1;" target="_blank">mmenzies@hawkridge.org</a><span style="color: #222222;"> or 218-428-8722 with questions. We hope to see you there! </span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><u><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/pick-a-bird-brain-series-2023/" target="_blank">Pick a Bird Brain Virtual Program Series</a> </span></u></b></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">The 2023 Pick a Bird Brain series is focused on highlighting some of the amazing research projects with Hawk Ridge. Each month through the winter/spring we will feature a different project and you will have a front row seat to find out more about what we have been learning. Programs are free, but pre-registration is required, with a registration link provided in each presentation’s description.</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Next in Series is Tues. May 23rd, 7:00 pm</span></strong></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><b>Hawk Ridge Raptor Count Trends - 50 Years and Counting! </b></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><b>By Dr. Gerald Niemi</b></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Registration is required for this presentation. <a href="https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEvc-iorjkrG9BAzQAmbnlKlsCZ9Njup_FK" id="" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;" target="_blank">Register Here</a></span><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="Northern Goshawk by H Toutonghi" border="0" height="207" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/fa3f89efde/Northern%20Goshawk%20by%20H%20Toutonghi.JPG" style="height: 207px; width: 200px;" title="Northern Goshawk by H Toutonghi" vspace="0" width="200" /><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Cost: Free (<a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/support/donate/" target="_blank">donations</a> are always appreciated!)</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">P.S. If you missed the last Pick a Bird Brain virtual events you can view recordings below: </span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><a href="https://youtu.be/G3555L-en3s" target="_blank">Using DNA Metabarcoding to Study the Diet of Raptors during Migration</a> by Lisa Brouellette (April 18th)</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YuCCF3iG3E" target="_blank">Periodic Invasions of Northern Goshawks</a> by Dick Green (March 21st)</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><a href="https://youtu.be/BJf2mqleEZk" target="_blank">The Forever Chemicals: What Do We Need to Know About Their Effects on Birds and How Will We Learn It?</a> by Matt Etterson (Feb. 23rd)</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDWF_-9WqhM&t=5s" rel="noopener" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;" target="_blank"><span data-rich-links="{"fple-t":"The Secrets that Feathers Hold: Using Feathers to Trace Migration","fple-u":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDWF_-9WqhM&t=5s","fple-mt":null,"type":"first-party-link"}">The Secrets that Feathers Hold: Using Feathers to Trace Migration</span></a> by Emily Pavlovic (Jan. 24th)</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p></div><div><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;"><b><a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/research/bird-monitoring/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: verdana;">West Skyline Spring Count</span></a></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #f8f5f2;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">March 1 - May 31, 2023</span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: #f8f5f2;"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><img align="right" alt="Bald Eagle Spring Count March 2021 F Nicoletti" border="0" height="193" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/f0cba2cbd6/Bald%20Eagle%20Spring%20Count%20March%202021%20F%20Nicoletti.jpg" style="height: 193px; width: 290px;" title="Bald Eagle Spring Count March 2021 F Nicoletti" vspace="0" width="290" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">2023 marks the 6<sup>th</sup> consecutive, full spring season of bird migration monitoring research at the West Skyline Spring Count in Duluth, MN! This is one of the premier spring bird migration sites in North America with record numbers of Bald and Golden Eagles, as well as other raptor species. The spring migration count average from 2018-2022 is 24,000 raptors and thousands of other migrating birds. Over 130 different bird species were recorded in 2022! Spring migration highlights include an amazing diversity of 15-20 different raptor species, as outlined:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 13.2pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Peak for each species (high counts listed)</span></b></p><ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Eagles: around March 25 (Bald: 100-500/day; Golden: 10/day)</span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Rough-legged Hawks: April 10-20 (up to 75/day)</span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Red-tailed Hawks: April 10-20 (1,000-2,000/day)</span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Broad-winged Hawks: May 1-10 (3,000-4,000/day)</span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Sharp-shinned Hawks: April 10-20 (up to 450/day)</span></li></ul><img align="left" alt="Hawk Ridge West Skyline Spring Count" border="0" height="150" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/fb3944f238/IMG_7938%202.jpg" style="height: 150px; width: 200px;" title="Hawk Ridge West Skyline Spring Count" vspace="0" width="200" /><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/plan-your-visit/visitors-guide-spring-2/" id="" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a> to find out more info on visiting this spring! We will have a live count feature on our home page at hawkridge.org, so you can follow along. You will also be able to view our raptor count numbers via HawkCount <a href="https://www.hawkcount.org/month_summary.php?r=on&rsite=543&go=Go+to+site" target="_blank">HERE</a>. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div></div><div><b style="background-color: #f8f5f2;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b style="background-color: #f8f5f2;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Hawk Weekend Festival</span></b></div><div><b style="background-color: #f8f5f2;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Save the Dates! </span></b></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b style="background-color: #f8f5f2;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Sept. 15th-17th, 2023</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="Visitors watching raptor release at Hawk Ridge fall" border="0" height="229" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/fb3944f238/Visitors%20watching%20raptor%20release%20at%20Hawk%20Ridge%20fall.jpg" style="height: 229px; width: 306px;" title="Visitors watching raptor release at Hawk Ridge fall" vspace="0" width="306" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Come and celebrate the amazing fall bird migration with us! Hawk Weekend is the annual festival held by Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory in Duluth, MN. Bird migration research and education programs have been shared with visitors throughout the world each fall at Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve for over 50 years! Join us for a fun weekend with a variety of birding field trips, nature hikes, programs, and activities for all ages! </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">We are happy to announce Dr. Laurie Goodrich, Hawk Mountain Sarkis Acopian Director of Conservation Science, will be joining us as our keynote speaker! Registration and more info coming soon!</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></p><div><span style="background-color: #f8f5f2;"><b><a href="https://www.holbrooktravel.com/where-we-travel/central-and-south-america/costa-rica/costa-rica-hawk-watch-and-birding" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: verdana;">International Birding Trip</span></a></b></span></div><div><span style="background-color: #f8f5f2;"><b><a href="https://www.holbrooktravel.com/where-we-travel/central-and-south-america/costa-rica/costa-rica-hawk-watch-and-birding" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Costa Rica - Hawk Watch & Birding Tour</span></a></b></span></div><div><b style="background-color: #f8f5f2;"><a href="https://www.holbrooktravel.com/where-we-travel/central-and-south-america/costa-rica/costa-rica-hawk-watch-and-birding" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: verdana;">October 24th - November 1st, 2023</span></a></b></div><div><b style="background-color: #f8f5f2;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></div><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Hawk Ri<a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Birding-at-Selva-Verde-by-Greg-Basco.jpg" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="size-medium wp-image-3835 alignright" decoding="async" height="0" sizes="(max-width: 280px) 100vw, 280px" src="https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Birding-at-Selva-Verde-by-Greg-Basco-280x187.jpg" srcset="https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Birding-at-Selva-Verde-by-Greg-Basco-280x187.jpg 280w, https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Birding-at-Selva-Verde-by-Greg-Basco-575x383.jpg 575w, https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Birding-at-Selva-Verde-by-Greg-Basco-768x512.jpg 768w, https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Birding-at-Selva-Verde-by-Greg-Basco-150x100.jpg 150w, https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Birding-at-Selva-Verde-by-Greg-Basco-216x144.jpg 216w, https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Birding-at-Selva-Verde-by-Greg-Basco-300x200.jpg 300w, https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Birding-at-Selva-Verde-by-Greg-Basco.jpg 800w" style="border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; float: right; height: auto; margin: 5px 0px 20px 20px; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: bottom; width: 280px;" width="280" /></a>dge and Holbrook Travel are off on another fascinating Costa Rica Adventure in the fall of 2023. A perfect excursion for nature lovers and avid birders- particularly those who have an interest in raptors! Venture to the Caribbean coastline and remote Tortuguero National Park, well known as one of the most important sea turtle nesting sites in the world, but also an extensive network of waterways and diverse species of birds and other wildlife.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="Broad-winged Hawk" border="0" height="272" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/fb3944f238/Broad-winged%20Hawk%20Spring%202022%202.jpg" style="height: 272px; width: 306px;" title="Broad-winged Hawk" vspace="0" width="306" /><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">The famed raptor hotspot of Kéköldi Indigenous Reserve is up next and there we will be witnessing not only raptors but other migratory birds streaming through on their way south during some of the heaviest traffic times in one of the busiest migration places in the world! It’s possible to see species like the Broad-winged Hawk, Peregrine Falcon, Osprey, and more. The numbers of birds who use this thoroughfare are mind-bending and October is usually when the highest counts happen.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Rufous-tailed-Jacamar-with-tree-resized.jpg" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="size-medium wp-image-3837 alignright" decoding="async" height="0" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 280px) 100vw, 280px" src="https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Rufous-tailed-Jacamar-with-tree-resized-280x210.jpg" srcset="https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Rufous-tailed-Jacamar-with-tree-resized-280x210.jpg 280w, https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Rufous-tailed-Jacamar-with-tree-resized-575x431.jpg 575w, https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Rufous-tailed-Jacamar-with-tree-resized-768x576.jpg 768w, https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Rufous-tailed-Jacamar-with-tree-resized-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Rufous-tailed-Jacamar-with-tree-resized-150x113.jpg 150w, https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Rufous-tailed-Jacamar-with-tree-resized-216x162.jpg 216w, https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Rufous-tailed-Jacamar-with-tree-resized-300x225.jpg 300w, https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Rufous-tailed-Jacamar-with-tree-resized.jpg 2000w" style="border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; float: right; height: auto; margin: 5px 0px 20px 20px; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: bottom; width: 280px;" width="280" /></a>Then journey inland to discover the rainforests of Selva Verde, our private eco-reserve set on 500 protected acres that hundreds of bird species call home. Take guided hikes in the private rainforest reserve at Selva Verde Lodge, with opportunities to see birds like the Keel-billed Toucan, Sunbittern, and endangered Great Green Macaw. We will also bird the trails of the world-renowned La Selva Biological Station, where more than half of Costa Rica’s species have been recorded.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Each day provides a variety of opportunities to make the most of the birding/nature touring available, as well as options for individual exploration and leisure time. You will be traveling with other nature enthusiasts to all share an amazing spectrum of bird experiences and knowledge. All meals are included and dining is often arranged outdoors or in private group seating. Your guides will be Hawk Ridge Education Director, Margie Menzies, and Mario Cordoba. Margie will be leading a spring 2023 international birding trip in Costa Rica and has also traveled to and bird banded in Costa Rica. Mario Cordoba has been a nature guide in Costa Rica for over 2 decades. </span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><b>Don’t miss this incredible experience! Space on this trip is limited to 10, and final payment for the trip is due July 21, 2023. </b><a href="http://holbrook.travel/hrbohawk-cr23" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;" target="_blank"><b>REGISTER HERE today!</b></a> Questions? Contact Debbie Sturdivant Jordan at 866-748-6146 or <a href="mailto:debbie@holbrooktravel.com" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;" target="_blank">debbie@holbrooktravel.com</a>, or Margie Menzies <a href="mailto:mmenzies@hawkridge.org" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;" target="_blank">mmenzies@hawkridge.org</a>. Hope to see you in October!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><u><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><u><span style="font-family: verdana;">2022 Research & Education Summary Reports</span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><img align="right" alt="Sara bird release Sept 22 3" border="0" height="218" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/fb3944f238/Sara%20bird%20release%20Sept%2022%203.jpg" style="height: 218px; width: 300px;" title="Sara bird release Sept 22 3" vspace="0" width="300" /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Here are the links to our 2022 fall research and education summaries:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/2022-Fall-Migration-Count-Report.pdf" target="_blank">Fall 2022 Bird Migration Count Summary</a> (raptor count totals <a href="https://www.hawkcount.org/month_summary.php?rsite=288" target="_blank">HERE</a>)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/2022-Hawk-Ridge-Raptor-Banding-Report.pdf" target="_blank">Fall 2022 Raptor Banding Summary</a> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/2022-Hawk-Ridge-Education-Report.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: verdana;">2022 Education Summary</span></a></p><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><u><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><u><span style="font-family: verdana;">Thank You for Your Support!</span></u></b></p><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory thanks all of our supporters. We appreciate you! As a nonprofit organization, we are primarily funded by individual gifts to put our bird migration research and education programs in action. Below are some of the ways you can help us keep sharing the magic of the bird migration!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 14.2667px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><b><u>Support Hawk Ridge by Shopping!</u></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><img align="right" alt="50th Crewneck Sweatshirt - design by E Regnier" border="0" height="200" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/fb3944f238/50th%20Crewneck%20Sweatshirt.jpg" style="height: 200px; width: 200px;" title="50th Crewneck Sweatshirt - design by E Regnier" vspace="0" width="200" /><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">If you missed out on getting a limited edition 50th anniversary shirt or mug - you can still do so today! Purchase a variety of Hawk Ridge merchandise at the links below:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><a href="https://hawkridgeobservatory.itemorder.com/shop/sale/" target="_blank">Big Frog (direct ship or pick up at Duluth store)</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><a href="https://www.bonfire.com/store/hawk-ridge-limited-edition-merchandise/" target="_blank">Bonfire (direct ship)</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><a href="https://mugexp.com/collections/hawk-ridge" target="_blank">The Mug Experience - 50th mug (direct ship)</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="Banded bird release at Hawk Ridge by J Richardson" border="0" height="174" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/0a86a72a43/Banded%20bird%20release%20at%20Hawk%20Ridge%20by%20J%20Richardson.jpg" style="height: 174px; width: 130px;" title="Banded bird release at Hawk Ridge by J Richardson" vspace="0" width="130" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><b><u>Become A Member Today!</u></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">If you're already a member of Hawk Ridge, we sincerely appreciate your support! THANK YOU! If you're not a member and have enjoyed your experience with Hawk Ridge, we invite you to renew or join as a Hawk Ridge member today! Our memberships and donations help drive our bird conservation research and education programs. You can check out our exciting membership benefits and<a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/support/membership/" target="_blank"> <b>join or renew online HERE!</b></a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"> </span></p><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><u><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Simply Donate</span></span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">You can always simply donate online by clicking <a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/support/donate/" target="_blank">HERE</a> or by mailing a check made out to Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory, P.O. Box 3006, Duluth, MN 55803.</span></p></div></div></div><h3 style="border-color: black; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 6px; padding: 0px; width: 614px;"></h3><div style="border-color: black; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; clear: both; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; width: 614px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="http://www.hawkridge.org/support/donate/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #386eff;"></span></a><a href="http://www.hawkridge.org/support/donate/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #386eff;"></span></a><span style="font-size: small;">Thank you again for your wonderful gift of support! Hope to connect with you again soon! <br /></span></span><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br />Sincerely,<br /><br />Janelle Long<br />Executive Director<br />Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory<br /><br />Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory<br />P.O. Box 3006<br />Duluth, MN 55803-3006<br />Call: 218-428-6209<br />Contact: mail@hawkridge.org<br />Visit: www.hawkridge.org<br />501(c)3 Non-Profit Organization<br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Federal Tax ID 76-0746366</span></span></p></div>Hawk Ridge Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03346381697590328711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5922014117958172534.post-62598611389370578492023-04-19T16:02:00.000-05:002023-04-19T16:02:15.092-05:00Hawk Ridge News - March 2023<p> <img align="none" alt="HRBO_DM_LogoCMYK 2" border="0" height="124" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/16fa9417c4/HRBO_DM_LogoCMYK%202.jpg" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; height: 124px; width: 306px;" title="HRBO_DM_LogoCMYK 2" vspace="0" width="306" /></p><div style="border-color: black; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; clear: both; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; width: 614px;"><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </p></div><h3 style="border-color: black; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 6px; padding: 0px; width: 614px;"></h3><div style="border-color: black; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; clear: both; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; width: 614px;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;">Dear Hawk Ridge Friends,</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></p><img align="right" alt="Bald Eagle Spring Count 2023 by S McLaughlin" border="0" height="256" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/94b6f5d59e/baea-7%202.jpg" style="height: 256px; width: 306px;" title="Bald Eagle Spring Count 2023 by S McLaughlin" vspace="0" width="306" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It definitely still feels and looks like winter here in Duluth, but our West Skyline Spring Count is on and spring is almost officially here! The count started March 1st and runs through May 31st. You can read highlights from the first 2 weeks below. W</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">e are excited to share more bird education and research with you with several events coming up soon! Join us for our Spring Migration Workshop Weekend April 21st-23rd, monthly virtual programs featuring Hawk Ridge research (next is Tues. 3/21 @7pm), Hawk Weekend Festival Sept. 15-17th, a second trip to Costa Rica for this fall, and more! </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Find out more </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">below! </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">P.S. If you missed our last e-newsletter, you can view that and older versions by clicking </span><a href="http://hawkridgeblog.blogspot.com/" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank">HERE</a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><u>West Skyline Spring Count Update</u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><u><br /></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><img align="right" alt="Bald Eagle W Skyline Spring Count by S McLaughlin" border="0" height="343" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/94b6f5d59e/baea-2.jpg" style="height: 343px; width: 306px;" title="Bald Eagle W Skyline Spring Count by S McLaughlin" vspace="0" width="306" /><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Happy Spring Migration! Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory’s spring coverage at the West Skyline Hawk Count (WSHC) has begun! Early March can be a wild time, with high diversity in weather. The first two weeks of the count brought a blizzard, and then a few mild days, followed by a 10 day run of north-east winds and another blizzard! Thus far, counts have been conducted on 15 days for 95.75 hours of observation. Despite the variability and fresh snow, raptors have begun heading north once again. As expected, the vast majority of early migrants are Bald Eagles (555), which began moving in force right off the bat. Most Balds seen migrating in March are adults, but there are a few sub-adults that join the mix. Golden Eagles (31) are another early season migrant that are typically peppered in on days with a consistent Bald Eagle flight. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="Krider's Red-tailed Hawk Spring 23 by S McLaughlin" border="0" height="266" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/94b6f5d59e/krrtha-2%20copy.jpg" style="height: 266px; width: 306px;" title="Krider's Red-tailed Hawk Spring 23 by S McLaughlin" vspace="0" width="306" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;">A few other raptor species have been seen, including Merlin, Rough-legged Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk and Cooper’s Hawk. As conditions improve, expect more sightings of these other raptors. Non-raptors have been few, but of great quality. Situated just south of the boreal forest, WSHC gets to enjoy some boreal species not seen at many other hawk watches! Counts have included northbound Trumpeter Swans (20), Common Ravens (81), Bohemian Waxwing (20), Pine Grosbeak (34) and Common Redpoll (59). By the end of the month, expect more finches, some waterfowl and blackbirds. Complete bird lists are posted to eBird for both count sites (<a href="https://ebird.org/hotspot/L391162" target="_blank">WSHC--Enger</a> and <a href="https://ebird.org/hotspot/L391307" target="_blank">WSHC--Thompson Hil</a>l). </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="Golden Eagle Spring 23 by S McLaughlin" border="0" height="219" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/94b6f5d59e/goea-2%20copy.jpg" style="height: 219px; width: 306px;" title="Golden Eagle Spring 23 by S McLaughlin" vspace="0" width="306" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The best conditions for flight at the spring watch are warm, mostly sunny days with a southwest wind; however, big eagle flights can occur at almost any time. As we enter the peak window for eagles, keep an eye up and you could see kettles of eagles overhead! Last spring brought the single highest day of migratory Bald Eagles in the world, with 1,206 observed. Could this year break the record again? We are currently watching the weather for this weekend and beyond for promising conditions. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="Common Redpoll J.Cosentino" border="0" height="204" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/94b6f5d59e/Common%20Redpoll%20J.Cosentino.JPG" style="height: 204px; width: 306px;" title="Common Redpoll J.Cosentino" vspace="0" width="306" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Wanting minute to minute updates on what’s going on overhead? All count data is being reported on Trektellen this season, and the link to our page can be found <a href="https://www.trektellen.org/count/view/3604/" target="_blank">HERE</a> our via the live count button at hawkridge.org. Trektellen is an international site that is used by researchers all over the world, and has several language options. For most American readers, this language will default to “English.” This will display some unfamiliar names of birds, typically used by our British friends across the pond. So, if you're c</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;">onfused by why you might see Mealy Redpolls or Rough-legged Buzzards listed, here's how to switch to </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;">more familiar American bird names. All you need to do is switch your language to “American English” in the upper right corner of the Trektellen page! </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;">You can also still find our daily raptor counts and summary via HawkCount </span><a href="https://hawkcount.org/month_summary.php?r=on&rsite=543&go=Go+to+site" style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;" target="_blank">HERE</a><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;">. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Thanks and hope to see you at the count! </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Sean McLaughlin</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Spring Counter</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><u><br /></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><u>Upcoming Events</u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><u><a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/pick-a-bird-brain-series-2023/" target="_blank">Pick a Bird Brain Virtual Program Series</a> </u></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "Open Sans", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>The 2023 Pick a Bird Brain series is focused on highlighting some of the amazing research projects with Hawk Ridge. Each month through the winter/spring we will feature a different project and you will have a front row seat to find out more about what we have been learning. Programs are free, but pre-registration is required, with a registration link provided in each presentation’s description.</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Tues. March 21st, 7:00 pm</span></span></strong></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;">Periodic Invasions of Northern Goshawks</b></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></strong></p><img align="right" alt="Northern Goshawk by H Toutonghi" border="0" height="317" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/94b6f5d59e/Northern%20Goshawk%20by%20H%20Toutonghi.JPG" style="height: 317px; width: 306px;" title="Northern Goshawk by H Toutonghi" vspace="0" width="306" /><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Ordinarily, hawk count sites do not see large numbers of Northern Goshawks during fall counts because migration is unnecessary with prey species available year round in their home ranges. Juvenile males make up the majority of the goshawks annually seen at hawk watches in most years. However, about every ten years, the normal patterns change in significant ways, and there is over one hundred years of data demonstrating this obvious change which is called an invasion. What does an invasion entail, and what might be responsible for this dramatic change? There is a story here, but even that predictable story is changing as there has not been an invasion observed since the early 2000’s. </span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Dr. Dick Green, Professor Emeritus at University of Minnesota Duluth, will look at historical observations made at three hawk watch sites: Hawk Ridge in Duluth, Minnesota, Cedar Grove in Wisconsin, and Hawk Mountain in Pennsylvania. He will puzzle out the pieces of the story that we know, and also attempt to understand the invasions by looking at the boreal forest community where Northern Goshawks live. Join us to take a look at this fascinating bird history and mystery!</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;">Registration is required for this presentation. </span><a href="https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYufu6rrjwoHd2ZIR7AnOgjJi6uswWqAW_8" id="" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Register Here</a><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="Emily Pavlovic" border="0" height="200" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/fb3944f238/Emily%20Pavlovic%202021%204.jpeg" style="height: 200px; width: 150px;" title="Emily Pavlovic" vspace="0" width="150" /><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Cost: Free (<a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/support/donate/" target="_blank">donations</a> are always appreciated!)</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;">P.S. If you missed the last Pick a Bird Brain virtual events you can view recordings below: </span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="https://youtu.be/BJf2mqleEZk" target="_blank">The Forever Chemicals: What Do We Need to Know About Their Effects on Birds and How Will We Learn It?</a> by Matt Etterson (Feb. 23rd)</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDWF_-9WqhM&t=5s" rel="noopener" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;" target="_blank"><span data-rich-links="{"fple-t":"The Secrets that Feathers Hold: Using Feathers to Trace Migration","fple-u":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDWF_-9WqhM&t=5s","fple-mt":null,"type":"first-party-link"}">The Secrets that Feathers Hold: Using Feathers to Trace Migration</span></a> by Emily Pavlovic (Jan. 24th)</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;"><b style="background-color: #f8f5f2;">Spring Migration Workshop</b></p><div><b>Fri. April 21st - Sun. April 23rd</b></div><div><b><a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/event/spring-migration-workshop/" target="_blank">REGISTER HERE!</a></b></div><div><span style="background-color: #f8f5f2;"><b><br /></b></span></div><img align="right" alt="Rough-legged Hawk Spring Count March 2021 F Nicoletti" border="0" height="213" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/fb3944f238/Rough-legged%20Hawk%20Spring%20Count%20March%202021%20F%20Nicoletti.jpg" style="height: 213px; width: 320px;" title="Rough-legged Hawk Spring Count March 2021 F Nicoletti" vspace="0" width="320" /><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #222222;">Hawk Ridge has been monitoring the fall bird migration since the 1950’s, but did you know that the </span><span style="color: #222222;">West Skyline Spring Count ranks as one of the top sites in the US for numbers and diversity of raptors </span><span style="color: #222222;">during the spring migration? Late April is likely to provide a wide variety and ages of raptors </span><span style="color: #222222;">traveling through on their way north, as well as plenty of other species of birds. Join us for an exciting workshop exploring the Spring 2023 bird migration! </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #222222;"><br /></span></span></div><img align="right" alt="Eagles Spring Count 2021 F Nicoletti (2)" border="0" height="238" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/fb3944f238/Eagles%20Spring%20Count%202021%20F%20Nicoletti%20(2).jpg" style="height: 238px; width: 320px;" title="Eagles Spring Count 2021 F Nicoletti (2)" vspace="0" width="320" /><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #222222;">We will enjoy fun field days learning first hand at the Hawk Ridge West Skyline Spring Count in Duluth, MN (world record site for numbers of Bald Eagles counted in one day!), as well as other local hotspots (ex. Duluth Harbor and St. Louis River area). Hawk Ridge Education Director, Margie Menzies, and other key staff (as well as the beautiful migrating birds!) will teach you about the exciting science of spring migration, raptor identification techniques, natural history of key species, current Hawk Ridge Research, and more! </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #222222;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #222222;">Register <a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/event/spring-migration-workshop/" target="_blank">HERE</a> today under our Events tab at hawkridge.org. S</span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;">pace is limited to 15 participants and registration closes once filled. Please c</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;">ontact Margie Menzies at </span><a href="mailto:mmenzies@hawkridge.org" style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;" target="_blank">mmenzies@hawkridge.org</a><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"> or 218-428-8722 with questions. We hope to see you there! </span></div><div><b style="background-color: #f8f5f2;"><br /></b></div><div><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;"><b><a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/research/bird-monitoring/" target="_blank">West Skyline Spring Count</a></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #f8f5f2;"><b>March 1 - May 31, 2023</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: #f8f5f2;"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><img align="right" alt="Bald Eagle Spring Count March 2021 F Nicoletti" border="0" height="193" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/f0cba2cbd6/Bald%20Eagle%20Spring%20Count%20March%202021%20F%20Nicoletti.jpg" style="height: 193px; width: 290px;" title="Bald Eagle Spring Count March 2021 F Nicoletti" vspace="0" width="290" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;">2023 marks the 6<sup>th</sup> consecutive, full spring season of bird migration monitoring research at the West Skyline Spring Count in Duluth, MN! This is one of the premier spring bird migration sites in North America with record numbers of Bald and Golden Eagles, as well as other raptor species. The spring migration count average from 2018-2022 is 24,000 raptors and thousands of other migrating birds. Over 130 different bird species were recorded in 2022! Spring migration highlights include an amazing diversity of 15-20 different raptor species, as outlined:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 13.2pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Peak for each species (high counts listed)</span></b></p><ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Eagles: around March 25 (Bald: 100-500/day; Golden: 10/day)</span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Rough-legged Hawks: April 10-20 (up to 75/day)</span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Red-tailed Hawks: April 10-20 (1,000-2,000/day)</span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Broad-winged Hawks: May 1-10 (3,000-4,000/day)</span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Sharp-shinned Hawks: April 10-20 (up to 450/day)</span></li></ul><img align="left" alt="Hawk Ridge West Skyline Spring Count" border="0" height="150" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/fb3944f238/IMG_7938%202.jpg" style="height: 150px; width: 200px;" title="Hawk Ridge West Skyline Spring Count" vspace="0" width="200" /><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/plan-your-visit/visitors-guide-spring-2/" id="" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a> to find out more info on visiting this spring! We will have a live count feature on our home page at hawkridge.org, so you can follow along. You will also be able to view our raptor count numbers via HawkCount <a href="https://www.hawkcount.org/month_summary.php?r=on&rsite=543&go=Go+to+site" target="_blank">HERE</a>. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div></div><div><b style="background-color: #f8f5f2;"><br /></b></div><div><b style="background-color: #f8f5f2;">Hawk Weekend Festival</b></div><div><b style="background-color: #f8f5f2;">Save the Dates! </b></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b style="background-color: #f8f5f2;">Sept. 15th-17th, 2023</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></p><img align="right" alt="Visitors watching raptor release at Hawk Ridge fall" border="0" height="229" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/fb3944f238/Visitors%20watching%20raptor%20release%20at%20Hawk%20Ridge%20fall.jpg" style="height: 229px; width: 306px;" title="Visitors watching raptor release at Hawk Ridge fall" vspace="0" width="306" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;">Come and celebrate the amazing fall bird migration with us! Hawk Weekend is the annual festival held by Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory in Duluth, MN. Bird migration research and education programs have been shared with visitors throughout the world each fall at Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve for over 50 years! Join us for a fun weekend with a variety of birding field trips, nature hikes, programs, and activities for all ages! </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;">We are happy to announce Dr. Laurie Goodrich, Hawk Mountain Sarkis Acopian Director of Conservation Science, will be joining us as our keynote speaker! Registration and more info coming soon!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><br /></span></p><div><span style="background-color: #f8f5f2;"><b><a href="https://www.holbrooktravel.com/where-we-travel/central-and-south-america/costa-rica/costa-rica-hawk-watch-and-birding" target="_blank">International Birding Trip</a></b></span></div><div><span style="background-color: #f8f5f2;"><b><a href="https://www.holbrooktravel.com/where-we-travel/central-and-south-america/costa-rica/costa-rica-hawk-watch-and-birding" target="_blank">Costa Rica - Hawk Watch & Birding Tour</a></b></span></div><div><b style="background-color: #f8f5f2;"><a href="https://www.holbrooktravel.com/where-we-travel/central-and-south-america/costa-rica/costa-rica-hawk-watch-and-birding" target="_blank">October 24th - November 1st, 2023</a></b></div><div><b style="background-color: #f8f5f2;"><br /></b></div><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Hawk Ri<a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Birding-at-Selva-Verde-by-Greg-Basco.jpg" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="size-medium wp-image-3835 alignright" decoding="async" height="0" sizes="(max-width: 280px) 100vw, 280px" src="https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Birding-at-Selva-Verde-by-Greg-Basco-280x187.jpg" srcset="https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Birding-at-Selva-Verde-by-Greg-Basco-280x187.jpg 280w, https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Birding-at-Selva-Verde-by-Greg-Basco-575x383.jpg 575w, https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Birding-at-Selva-Verde-by-Greg-Basco-768x512.jpg 768w, https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Birding-at-Selva-Verde-by-Greg-Basco-150x100.jpg 150w, https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Birding-at-Selva-Verde-by-Greg-Basco-216x144.jpg 216w, https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Birding-at-Selva-Verde-by-Greg-Basco-300x200.jpg 300w, https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Birding-at-Selva-Verde-by-Greg-Basco.jpg 800w" style="border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; float: right; height: auto; margin: 5px 0px 20px 20px; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: bottom; width: 280px;" width="280" /></a>dge and Holbrook Travel are off on another fascinating Costa Rica Adventure in the fall of 2023. A perfect excursion for nature lovers and avid birders- particularly those who have an interest in raptors! Venture to the Caribbean coastline and remote Tortuguero National Park, well known as one of the most important sea turtle nesting sites in the world, but also an extensive network of waterways and diverse species of birds and other wildlife.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="Broad-winged Hawk" border="0" height="272" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/fb3944f238/Broad-winged%20Hawk%20Spring%202022%202.jpg" style="height: 272px; width: 306px;" title="Broad-winged Hawk" vspace="0" width="306" /><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The famed raptor hotspot of Kéköldi Indigenous Reserve is up next and there we will be witnessing not only raptors but other migratory birds streaming through on their way south during some of the heaviest traffic times in one of the busiest migration places in the world! It’s possible to see species like the Broad-winged Hawk, Peregrine Falcon, Osprey, and more. The numbers of birds who use this thoroughfare are mind-bending and October is usually when the highest counts happen.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Rufous-tailed-Jacamar-with-tree-resized.jpg" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="size-medium wp-image-3837 alignright" decoding="async" height="0" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 280px) 100vw, 280px" src="https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Rufous-tailed-Jacamar-with-tree-resized-280x210.jpg" srcset="https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Rufous-tailed-Jacamar-with-tree-resized-280x210.jpg 280w, https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Rufous-tailed-Jacamar-with-tree-resized-575x431.jpg 575w, https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Rufous-tailed-Jacamar-with-tree-resized-768x576.jpg 768w, https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Rufous-tailed-Jacamar-with-tree-resized-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Rufous-tailed-Jacamar-with-tree-resized-150x113.jpg 150w, https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Rufous-tailed-Jacamar-with-tree-resized-216x162.jpg 216w, https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Rufous-tailed-Jacamar-with-tree-resized-300x225.jpg 300w, https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Rufous-tailed-Jacamar-with-tree-resized.jpg 2000w" style="border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; float: right; height: auto; margin: 5px 0px 20px 20px; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: bottom; width: 280px;" width="280" /></a>Then journey inland to discover the rainforests of Selva Verde, our private eco-reserve set on 500 protected acres that hundreds of bird species call home. Take guided hikes in the private rainforest reserve at Selva Verde Lodge, with opportunities to see birds like the Keel-billed Toucan, Sunbittern, and endangered Great Green Macaw. We will also bird the trails of the world-renowned La Selva Biological Station, where more than half of Costa Rica’s species have been recorded.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Each day provides a variety of opportunities to make the most of the birding/nature touring available, as well as options for individual exploration and leisure time. You will be traveling with other nature enthusiasts to all share an amazing spectrum of bird experiences and knowledge. All meals are included and dining is often arranged outdoors or in private group seating. Your guides will be Hawk Ridge Education Director, Margie Menzies, and Mario Cordoba. Margie will be leading a spring 2023 international birding trip in Costa Rica and has also traveled to and bird banded in Costa Rica. Mario Cordoba has been a nature guide in Costa Rica for over 2 decades. </span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Don’t miss this incredible experience! Space on this trip is limited to 10, and final payment for the trip is due July 21, 2023. </b><a href="http://holbrook.travel/hrbohawk-cr23" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;" target="_blank"><b>REGISTER HERE today!</b></a> Questions? Contact Debbie Sturdivant Jordan at 866-748-6146 or <a href="mailto:debbie@holbrooktravel.com" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;" target="_blank">debbie@holbrooktravel.com</a>, or Margie Menzies <a href="mailto:mmenzies@hawkridge.org" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;" target="_blank">mmenzies@hawkridge.org</a>. Hope to see you in October!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><u><br /></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><u>2022 Research & Education Summary Reports</u></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><img align="right" alt="Sara bird release Sept 22 3" border="0" height="218" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/fb3944f238/Sara%20bird%20release%20Sept%2022%203.jpg" style="height: 218px; width: 300px;" title="Sara bird release Sept 22 3" vspace="0" width="300" /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here are the links to our 2022 fall research and education summaries:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/2022-Fall-Migration-Count-Report.pdf" target="_blank">Fall 2022 Bird Migration Count Summary</a> (raptor count totals <a href="https://www.hawkcount.org/month_summary.php?rsite=288" target="_blank">HERE</a>)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/2022-Hawk-Ridge-Raptor-Banding-Report.pdf" target="_blank">Fall 2022 Raptor Banding Summary</a> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/2022-Hawk-Ridge-Education-Report.pdf" target="_blank">2022 Education Summary</a></span></p><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><u><br /></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><u>Thank You for Your Support!</u></b></p><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory thanks all of our supporters. We appreciate you! As a nonprofit organization, we are primarily funded by individual gifts to put our bird migration research and education programs in action. Below are some of the ways you can help us keep sharing the magic of the bird migration!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 14.2667px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b><u>Support Hawk Ridge by Shopping!</u></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><img align="right" alt="50th Crewneck Sweatshirt - design by E Regnier" border="0" height="200" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/fb3944f238/50th%20Crewneck%20Sweatshirt.jpg" style="height: 200px; width: 200px;" title="50th Crewneck Sweatshirt - design by E Regnier" vspace="0" width="200" /><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;">If you missed out on getting a limited edition 50th anniversary shirt or mug - you can still do so today! Purchase a variety of Hawk Ridge merchandise at the links below:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="https://hawkridgeobservatory.itemorder.com/shop/sale/" target="_blank">Big Frog (direct ship or pick up at Duluth store)</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="https://www.bonfire.com/store/hawk-ridge-limited-edition-merchandise/" target="_blank">Bonfire (direct ship)</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="https://mugexp.com/collections/hawk-ridge" target="_blank">The Mug Experience - 50th mug (direct ship)</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="Banded bird release at Hawk Ridge by J Richardson" border="0" height="174" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/0a86a72a43/Banded%20bird%20release%20at%20Hawk%20Ridge%20by%20J%20Richardson.jpg" style="height: 174px; width: 130px;" title="Banded bird release at Hawk Ridge by J Richardson" vspace="0" width="130" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b><u>Become A Member Today!</u></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;">If you're already a member of Hawk Ridge, we sincerely appreciate your support! THANK YOU! If you're not a member and have enjoyed your experience with Hawk Ridge, we invite you to renew or join as a Hawk Ridge member today! Our memberships and donations help drive our bird conservation research and education programs. You can check out our exciting membership benefits and<a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/support/membership/" target="_blank"> <b>join or renew online HERE!</b></a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </span></p><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><u><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Simply Donate</span></span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;">You can always simply donate online by clicking <a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/support/donate/" target="_blank">HERE</a> or by mailing a check made out to Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory, P.O. Box 3006, Duluth, MN 55803.</span></p></div></div></div><h3 style="border-color: black; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 6px; padding: 0px; width: 614px;"></h3><div style="border-color: black; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; clear: both; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; width: 614px;"><a href="http://www.hawkridge.org/support/donate/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #386eff;"></span></a><a href="http://www.hawkridge.org/support/donate/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #386eff;"></span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Thank you again for your wonderful gift of support! Hope to connect with you again soon! <br /></span><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />Sincerely,<br /><br />Janelle Long<br />Executive Director<br />Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory<br /><br />Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory<br />P.O. Box 3006<br />Duluth, MN 55803-3006<br />Call: 218-428-6209<br />Contact: mail@hawkridge.org<br />Visit: www.hawkridge.org<br />501(c)3 Non-Profit Organization<br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;">Federal Tax ID 76-0746366</span></span></p></div>Hawk Ridge Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03346381697590328711noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5922014117958172534.post-35418340090820441282023-03-17T11:02:00.006-05:002023-03-17T11:09:38.873-05:00Hawk Ridge News - February 2023<p> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><img align="none" alt="HRBO_DM_LogoCMYK 2" border="0" height="124" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/16fa9417c4/HRBO_DM_LogoCMYK%202.jpg" style="font-size: 10pt; height: 124px; width: 306px;" title="HRBO_DM_LogoCMYK 2" vspace="0" width="306" /></span></p><div style="border-color: black; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; clear: both; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; width: 614px;"><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></p></div><h3 style="border-color: black; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 6px; padding: 0px; width: 614px;"></h3><div style="border-color: black; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; clear: both; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; width: 614px;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif">Dear Hawk Ridge Friends,</span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"> </span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"></span></span></p><img align="right" alt="Canada Jay by F Nicoletti" border="0" height="288" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/fb3944f238/Canada%20Jay%20by%20F%20Nicoletti.JPG" style="height: 288px; width: 250px;" title="Canada Jay by F Nicoletti" vspace="0" width="250" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span>Happy 2023! We hope it's been a great start to the year for you! A special thanks to all those that helped support Hawk Ridge in 2022 - you can read our highlights <a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/2022-Hawk-Ridge-Annual-Highlights-WEB.pdf" target="_blank">HERE</a>. We are excited to share more bird education and research with you with several events coming up soon! Join us for our Boreal Birds Exploration Weekend March 10-12th, monthly virtual programs featuring Hawk Ridge research (next is Thurs. 2/23 @7pm), the West Skyline Spring Count running March 1-May 31st, a second trip to Costa Rica for this fall, and more! </span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif">Find out more on how to sign up by </span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif">reading below! </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif">P.S. If you missed our last e-newsletter, you can view that and older versions by clicking </span><a href="http://hawkridgeblog.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">HERE</a><span face="Verdana, sans-serif">. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><b><u><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></u></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><b><u><span style="font-family: inherit;">2022 Research & Education Summary Reports</span></u></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="Sara bird release Sept 22 3" border="0" height="218" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/fb3944f238/Sara%20bird%20release%20Sept%2022%203.jpg" style="height: 218px; width: 300px;" title="Sara bird release Sept 22 3" vspace="0" width="300" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit;">Here are the links to our 2022 fall research and education summaries:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/2022-Fall-Migration-Count-Report.pdf" target="_blank">Fall 2022 Bird Migration Count Summary</a> (raptor count totals <a href="https://www.hawkcount.org/month_summary.php?rsite=288" target="_blank">HERE</a>)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/2022-Hawk-Ridge-Raptor-Banding-Report.pdf" target="_blank">Fall 2022 Raptor Banding Summary</a> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/2022-Hawk-Ridge-Education-Report.pdf" target="_blank">2022 Education Summary</a></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><u><span style="font-family: inherit;">Upcoming Events</span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/boreal-birds-exploration-weekend/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Boreal Birds Exploration Weekend</span></a></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit;"><b><a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/boreal-birds-exploration-weekend/" target="_blank">March 11-12, 2023 (w/optional add-on March 10)</a></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></p><img align="right" alt="Great Gray Owl by F Nicoletti" border="0" height="327" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/fb3944f238/Great%20Gray%20Owl%20by%20F%20Nicoletti.JPG" style="height: 327px; width: 250px;" title="Great Gray Owl by F Nicoletti" vspace="0" width="250" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;">Northern Minnesota is well known as one of the best places in the US to see beautiful boreal birds! Mid-March is a great time to look for some of these amazing resident winter birds and those that over-winter here from points further north. </span><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif">It also has the advantage of being a bit warmer than earlier in winter, as well as having spring migration underway for a number of species, such as Bald & Golden Eagles. We will learn about the ecology of the northern landscape, which is the backbone for who can be found where - each of these birds has a story! Join leaders Frank Nicoletti and Margie Menzies for a fascinating 2-day weekend exploration of this area (with optional Fri. afternoon trip in Duluth/Superior area). </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><img align="right" alt="Evening Grosbeak by F Nicoletti 2" border="0" height="240" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/fb3944f238/Evening%20Grosbeak%20by%20F%20Nicoletti%202.JPG" style="height: 240px; width: 306px;" title="Evening Grosbeak by F Nicoletti 2" vspace="0" width="306" /><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit;">Depending on conditions and where the birds are, we will spread our weekend adventure over two distinct locations, the Sax-Zim Bog area to the northwest of Duluth and the Superior National Forest and North Shore of Lake Superior to the northeast. We will see what skill and luck can find us and take a closer look at patterns and conditions that contribute to the story of each of these species of birds. Possible species include Great Gray Owl, Black-backed Woodpecker, Boreal Chickadee, Northern Hawk-Owl, Ruffed Grouse, Spruce Grouse, Evening Grosbeak, Northern Shrike, Black-billed Magpie, White-winged Crossbill, Pine Grosbeak, Canada Jay, Common Redpoll, Bohemian Waxwings, and many more!</span></p><img align="right" alt="Snowy Owl by F Nicoletti" border="0" height="254" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/fb3944f238/Snowy%20Owl%20by%20F%20Nicoletti.jpg" style="height: 254px; width: 200px;" title="Snowy Owl by F Nicoletti" vspace="0" width="200" /><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><b><i>Optional Friday March 10th afternoon trip</i></b>: If you are able to come in earlier on Friday, we will offer an afternoon exploration in the Duluth/Superior area, which could include depending on harbor ice conditions, birds in the harbor including gulls and ducks, searching for Snowy Owls in the harbor area, a visit to the Hawk Ridge West Skyline Spring Count site, or other bird highlights that might be happening in the local area. This would run from roughly 1 pm til dusk. Add-on cost: $50 members/$75 non</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;">COST: $20</span><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif">0 Members/ Master Naturalists ($50 add-on for Friday), $250 Non-members ($75 add-on for Friday)</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/boreal-birds-exploration-weekend/" target="_blank"><b>REGISTER HERE TODAY</b></a><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif"><b> </b>or go to hawkridge.org and find more info under our Events tab! Space is limited to 12 (min. 8). Registration must be complete by no later than Fri. 3/3 or will close once full. </span></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit;"><b><u><a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/pick-a-bird-brain-series-2023/" target="_blank">Pick a Bird Brain Virtual Program Series</a> </u></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face=""Open Sans", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i>The 2023 Pick a Bird Brain series is focused on highlighting some of the amazing research projects with Hawk Ridge. Each month through the winter/spring we will feature a different project and you will have a front row seat to find out more about what we have been learning. Programs are free, but pre-registration is required, with a registration link provided in each presentation’s description.</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/SSHA-banding-pics.jpg" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="size-medium wp-image-3887 alignright" decoding="async" height="0" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 280px) 100vw, 280px" src="https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/SSHA-banding-pics-280x187.jpg" srcset="https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/SSHA-banding-pics-280x187.jpg 280w, https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/SSHA-banding-pics-575x383.jpg 575w, https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/SSHA-banding-pics-768x512.jpg 768w, https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/SSHA-banding-pics-150x100.jpg 150w, https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/SSHA-banding-pics-216x144.jpg 216w, https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/SSHA-banding-pics-300x200.jpg 300w, https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/SSHA-banding-pics.jpg 960w" style="border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; float: right; height: auto; margin: 5px 0px 20px 20px; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: bottom; width: 280px;" width="280" /></a><span style="font-size: small;">Thurs. February 23rd, 7:00 pm</span></span></strong></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></strong></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">The Forever Chemicals: What Do We Need to Know About Their Effects on Birds and How Will We Learn It?</span></strong></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></strong></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">The last two decades have seen a marked increase in concern over the effects of PFAS on humans and wildlife. PFAS, or polyfluoralkyl substances, often called “the forever chemicals,” are persistent contaminants that enter the environment from a variety of sources, including manufacturing, landfills, and fire suppression. Among vertebrates, birds appear to be of particular concern for both exposure and effects. Reported effects on birds include early embryo mortality, failure to hatch, and high post hatching mortality. The specific mechanisms causing these effects are still poorly understood but may include disruptions of thyroid hormone signaling and fatty acid metabolism.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Dr. Matt Etterson, Hawk Ridge Research Chair, will present findings from a recently completed study that surveyed birds of prey trapped during migration at Hawk Ridge or admitted as patients to The Raptor Center. For the study, up to 33 PFAS chemicals were investigated in blood samples from 11 species of diurnal and nocturnal raptors. Patterns of contamination were investigated in relation to the biology and life history of the species including size, diet, and taxonomy. Dr. Etterson will also provide a general background on avian PFAS work being done in Duluth and nationally as concern increases over this very large class of chemicals.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif">Registration is required for this presentation. </span><a href="https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIqdeCprz8rHNGJvRLrWpIMqSEMZ6GS7ljP" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;" target="_blank">Register Here</a></span><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="Emily Pavlovic" border="0" height="200" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/fb3944f238/Emily%20Pavlovic%202021%204.jpeg" style="height: 200px; width: 150px;" title="Emily Pavlovic" vspace="0" width="150" /><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Cost: Free (<a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/support/donate/" target="_blank">donations</a> are always appreciated!)</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">P.S. If you missed the January Pick a Bird Brain virtual event by Emily Pavlovic, you can view it here: </span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDWF_-9WqhM&t=5s" rel="noopener" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;" target="_blank"><span data-rich-links="{"fple-t":"The Secrets that Feathers Hold: Using Feathers to Trace Migration","fple-u":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDWF_-9WqhM&t=5s","fple-mt":null,"type":"first-party-link"}">The Secrets that Feathers Hold: Using Feathers to Trace Migration</span></a> (YouTube recording from Jan. 24th, 2023)</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;"><b><a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/research/bird-monitoring/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">West Skyline Spring Count</span></a></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #f8f5f2;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">March 1 - May 31, 2023</span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: #f8f5f2; font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><img align="right" alt="Bald Eagle Spring Count March 2021 F Nicoletti" border="0" height="193" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/f0cba2cbd6/Bald%20Eagle%20Spring%20Count%20March%202021%20F%20Nicoletti.jpg" style="height: 193px; width: 290px;" title="Bald Eagle Spring Count March 2021 F Nicoletti" vspace="0" width="290" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit;">2023 marks the 6<sup>th</sup> consecutive, full spring season of bird migration monitoring research at the West Skyline Spring Count in Duluth, MN! This is one of the premier spring bird migration sites in North America with record numbers of Bald and Golden Eagles, as well as other raptor species. The spring migration count average from 2018-2022 is 24,000 raptors and thousands of other migrating birds. Over 130 different bird species were recorded in 2022! Spring migration highlights include an amazing diversity of 15-20 different raptor species, as outlined:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 13.2pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Peak for each species (high counts listed)</span></b></p><ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Eagles: around March 25 (Bald: 100-500/day; Golden: 10/day)</span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Rough-legged Hawks: April 10-20 (up to 75/day)</span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Red-tailed Hawks: April 10-20 (1,000-2,000/day)</span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Broad-winged Hawks: May 1-10 (3,000-4,000/day)</span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Sharp-shinned Hawks: April 10-20 (up to 450/day)</span></li></ul><img align="left" alt="Hawk Ridge West Skyline Spring Count" border="0" height="150" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/fb3944f238/IMG_7938%202.jpg" style="height: 150px; width: 200px;" title="Hawk Ridge West Skyline Spring Count" vspace="0" width="200" /><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/plan-your-visit/visitors-guide-spring-2/" id="" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a> to find out more info on visiting this spring! We will have a live count feature on our home page at hawkridge.org, so you can follow along. You will also be able to view our raptor count numbers via HawkCount <a href="https://www.hawkcount.org/month_summary.php?r=on&rsite=543&go=Go+to+site" target="_blank">HERE</a>. </span></div><div><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><b style="background-color: #f8f5f2;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Spring Migration Workshop</span></b></div><div><b style="background-color: #f8f5f2;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Save the Dates!</span></b></div><div><span><span style="background-color: #f8f5f2; font-family: inherit;"><b>Fri. April 21st - Sun. April 23rd</b></span></span></div><div><span><span style="background-color: #f8f5f2; font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><img align="right" alt="Rough-legged Hawk Spring Count March 2021 F Nicoletti" border="0" height="213" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/fb3944f238/Rough-legged%20Hawk%20Spring%20Count%20March%202021%20F%20Nicoletti.jpg" style="height: 213px; width: 320px;" title="Rough-legged Hawk Spring Count March 2021 F Nicoletti" vspace="0" width="320" /><div><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span>Hawk Ridge has been monitoring the fall bird migration since the 1950’s, but did you know that the </span><span>West Skyline Spring Count ranks as one of the top sites in the US for numbers and diversity of raptors </span><span>during the spring migration? Late April is likely to provide a wide variety and ages of raptors </span><span>traveling through on their way north, as well as plenty of other species of birds. Join us for an exciting workshop exploring the Spring 2023 bird migration! </span></span></div><div><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><img align="right" alt="Eagles Spring Count 2021 F Nicoletti (2)" border="0" height="238" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/fb3944f238/Eagles%20Spring%20Count%202021%20F%20Nicoletti%20(2).jpg" style="height: 238px; width: 320px;" title="Eagles Spring Count 2021 F Nicoletti (2)" vspace="0" width="320" /><div><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We will enjoy fun field days learning first hand at the Hawk Ridge West Skyline Spring Count in Duluth, MN (world record site for numbers of Bald Eagles counted in one day!), as well as other local hotspots (ex. Duluth Harbor and St. Louis River area). Hawk Ridge Education Director, Margie Menzies, and other key staff (as well as the beautiful migrating birds!) will teach you about the exciting science of spring migration, raptor identification techniques, natural history of key species, current Hawk Ridge Research, and more! </span></span></div><div><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span>Registration will open soon under our Events tab at hawkridge.org. Contact Margie Menzies at </span><a href="mailto:mmenzies@hawkridge.org" target="_blank">mmenzies@hawkridge.org</a><span> or 218-428-8722 with questions. </span></span></div><div><b style="background-color: #f8f5f2;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b style="background-color: #f8f5f2;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Hawk Weekend Festival</span></b></div><div><b style="background-color: #f8f5f2;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Save the Dates! </span></b></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b style="background-color: #f8f5f2;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sept. 15th-17th, 2023</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="Visitors watching raptor release at Hawk Ridge fall" border="0" height="229" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/fb3944f238/Visitors%20watching%20raptor%20release%20at%20Hawk%20Ridge%20fall.jpg" style="height: 229px; width: 306px;" title="Visitors watching raptor release at Hawk Ridge fall" vspace="0" width="306" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit;">Come and celebrate the amazing fall bird migration with us! Hawk Weekend is the annual festival held by Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory in Duluth, MN. Bird migration research and education programs have been shared with visitors throughout the world each fall at Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve for over 50 years! Join us for a fun weekend with a variety of birding field trips, nature hikes, programs, and activities for all ages! Registration and more info coming soon!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><div><span><span style="background-color: #f8f5f2; font-family: inherit;"><b><a href="https://www.holbrooktravel.com/where-we-travel/central-and-south-america/costa-rica/costa-rica-hawk-watch-and-birding" target="_blank">International Birding Trip</a></b></span></span></div><div><span><span style="background-color: #f8f5f2; font-family: inherit;"><b><a href="https://www.holbrooktravel.com/where-we-travel/central-and-south-america/costa-rica/costa-rica-hawk-watch-and-birding" target="_blank">Costa Rica - Hawk Watch & Birding Tour</a></b></span></span></div><div><b style="background-color: #f8f5f2;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.holbrooktravel.com/where-we-travel/central-and-south-america/costa-rica/costa-rica-hawk-watch-and-birding" target="_blank">October 24th - November 1st, 2023</a></span></b></div><div><b style="background-color: #f8f5f2;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b></div><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Hawk Ri<a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Birding-at-Selva-Verde-by-Greg-Basco.jpg" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="size-medium wp-image-3835 alignright" decoding="async" height="0" sizes="(max-width: 280px) 100vw, 280px" src="https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Birding-at-Selva-Verde-by-Greg-Basco-280x187.jpg" srcset="https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Birding-at-Selva-Verde-by-Greg-Basco-280x187.jpg 280w, https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Birding-at-Selva-Verde-by-Greg-Basco-575x383.jpg 575w, https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Birding-at-Selva-Verde-by-Greg-Basco-768x512.jpg 768w, https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Birding-at-Selva-Verde-by-Greg-Basco-150x100.jpg 150w, https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Birding-at-Selva-Verde-by-Greg-Basco-216x144.jpg 216w, https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Birding-at-Selva-Verde-by-Greg-Basco-300x200.jpg 300w, https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Birding-at-Selva-Verde-by-Greg-Basco.jpg 800w" style="border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; float: right; height: auto; margin: 5px 0px 20px 20px; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: bottom; width: 280px;" width="280" /></a>dge and Holbrook Travel are off on another fascinating Costa Rica Adventure in the fall of 2023. A perfect excursion for nature lovers and avid birders- particularly those who have an interest in raptors! Venture to the Caribbean coastline and remote Tortuguero National Park, well known as one of the most important sea turtle nesting sites in the world, but also an extensive network of waterways and diverse species of birds and other wildlife.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="Broad-winged Hawk" border="0" height="272" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/fb3944f238/Broad-winged%20Hawk%20Spring%202022%202.jpg" style="height: 272px; width: 306px;" title="Broad-winged Hawk" vspace="0" width="306" /><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">The famed raptor hotspot of Kéköldi Indigenous Reserve is up next and there we will be witnessing not only raptors but other migratory birds streaming through on their way south during some of the heaviest traffic times in one of the busiest migration places in the world! It’s possible to see species like the Broad-winged Hawk, Peregrine Falcon, Osprey, and more. The numbers of birds who use this thoroughfare are mind-bending and October is usually when the highest counts happen.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Rufous-tailed-Jacamar-with-tree-resized.jpg" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="size-medium wp-image-3837 alignright" decoding="async" height="0" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 280px) 100vw, 280px" src="https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Rufous-tailed-Jacamar-with-tree-resized-280x210.jpg" srcset="https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Rufous-tailed-Jacamar-with-tree-resized-280x210.jpg 280w, https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Rufous-tailed-Jacamar-with-tree-resized-575x431.jpg 575w, https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Rufous-tailed-Jacamar-with-tree-resized-768x576.jpg 768w, https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Rufous-tailed-Jacamar-with-tree-resized-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Rufous-tailed-Jacamar-with-tree-resized-150x113.jpg 150w, https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Rufous-tailed-Jacamar-with-tree-resized-216x162.jpg 216w, https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Rufous-tailed-Jacamar-with-tree-resized-300x225.jpg 300w, https://www.hawkridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Rufous-tailed-Jacamar-with-tree-resized.jpg 2000w" style="border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; float: right; height: auto; margin: 5px 0px 20px 20px; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: bottom; width: 280px;" width="280" /></a>Then journey inland to discover the rainforests of Selva Verde, our private eco-reserve set on 500 protected acres that hundreds of bird species call home. Take guided hikes in the private rainforest reserve at Selva Verde Lodge, with opportunities to see birds like the Keel-billed Toucan, Sunbittern, and endangered Great Green Macaw. We will also bird the trails of the world-renowned La Selva Biological Station, where more than half of Costa Rica’s species have been recorded.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Each day provides a variety of opportunities to make the most of the birding/nature touring available, as well as options for individual exploration and leisure time. You will be traveling with other nature enthusiasts to all share an amazing spectrum of bird experiences and knowledge. All meals are included and dining is often arranged outdoors or in private group seating. Your guides will be Hawk Ridge Education Director, Margie Menzies, and Mario Cordoba. Margie will be leading a spring 2023 international birding trip in Costa Rica and has also traveled to and bird banded in Costa Rica. Mario Cordoba has been a nature guide in Costa Rica for over 2 decades. </span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><b>Don’t miss this incredible experience! Space on this trip is limited to 10, and final payment for the trip is due July 21, 2023. </b><a href="http://holbrook.travel/hrbohawk-cr23" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;" target="_blank"><b>REGISTER HERE today!</b></a> Questions? Contact Debbie Sturdivant Jordan at 866-748-6146 or <a href="mailto:debbie@holbrooktravel.com" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;" target="_blank">debbie@holbrooktravel.com</a>, or Margie Menzies <a href="mailto:mmenzies@hawkridge.org" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;" target="_blank">mmenzies@hawkridge.org</a>. Hope to see you in October!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><u><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><u><span style="font-family: inherit;">Thank You for Your Support!</span></u></b></p><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory thanks all of our supporters. We appreciate you! As a nonprofit organization, we are primarily funded by individual gifts to put our bird migration research and education programs in action. Below are some of the ways you can help us keep sharing the magic of the bird migration!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 14.2667px;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><b><u>Support Hawk Ridge by Shopping!</u></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><img align="right" alt="50th Crewneck Sweatshirt - design by E Regnier" border="0" height="200" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/fb3944f238/50th%20Crewneck%20Sweatshirt.jpg" style="height: 200px; width: 200px;" title="50th Crewneck Sweatshirt - design by E Regnier" vspace="0" width="200" /><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">If you missed out on getting a limited edition 50th anniversary shirt or mug - you can still do so today! Purchase a variety of Hawk Ridge merchandise at the links below:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><a href="https://hawkridgeobservatory.itemorder.com/shop/sale/" target="_blank">Big Frog (direct ship or pick up at Duluth store)</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><a href="https://www.bonfire.com/store/hawk-ridge-limited-edition-merchandise/" target="_blank">Bonfire (direct ship)</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><a href="https://mugexp.com/collections/hawk-ridge" target="_blank">The Mug Experience - 50th mug (direct ship)</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="Banded bird release at Hawk Ridge by J Richardson" border="0" height="174" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/0a86a72a43/Banded%20bird%20release%20at%20Hawk%20Ridge%20by%20J%20Richardson.jpg" style="height: 174px; width: 130px;" title="Banded bird release at Hawk Ridge by J Richardson" vspace="0" width="130" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><b><u>Become A Member Today!</u></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">If you're already a member of Hawk Ridge, we sincerely appreciate your support! THANK YOU! If you're not a member and have enjoyed your experience with Hawk Ridge, we invite you to renew or join as a Hawk Ridge member today! Our memberships and donations help drive our bird conservation research and education programs. You can check out our exciting membership benefits and<a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/support/membership/" target="_blank"> <b>join or renew online HERE!</b></a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"> </span></p><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><u><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Simply Donate</span></span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">You can always simply donate online by clicking <a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/support/donate/" target="_blank">HERE</a> or by mailing a check made out to Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory, P.O. Box 3006, Duluth, MN 55803.<br /></span></p></div></div></div><h3 style="border-color: black; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 6px; padding: 0px; width: 614px;"></h3><div style="border-color: black; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; clear: both; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; width: 614px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.hawkridge.org/support/donate/" target="_blank"><span></span></a><a href="http://www.hawkridge.org/support/donate/" target="_blank"><span></span></a><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;">Thank you again for your wonderful gift of support! Hope to connect with you again soon! <br /></span></span><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br />Sincerely,<br /><br />Janelle Long<br />Executive Director<br />Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory<br /><br />Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory<br />P.O. Box 3006<br />Duluth, MN 55803-3006<br />Call: 218-428-6209<br />Contact: mail@hawkridge.org<br />Visit: www.hawkridge.org<br />501(c)3 Non-Profit Organization<br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit;">Federal Tax ID 76-0746366</span></span></p></div>Hawk Ridge Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03346381697590328711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5922014117958172534.post-66497227461850422102023-02-01T16:19:00.001-06:002023-02-06T16:40:33.295-06:00Hawk Ridge News - December 2022<p> <strong style="font-size: 10pt;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Dear Friends of Hawk Ridge,</span></strong></p><div style="border-color: black; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; clear: both; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; width: 560px;"><p style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><img align="right" alt="Bald Eagle" border="0" height="185" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/5142d552ff/Bald%20Eagle%20March%202020.jpg" style="height: 185px; width: 278px;" title="Bald Eagle" vspace="0" width="278" /></span><p style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;">Happy Holidays and thank you for being a supporter of Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory! 2022 was an extra special year for the Hawk Ridge community, as we celebrated the 50th anniversary of Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve. We also celebrated 50 amazing years of continued raptor research and education, as well as wonderful connections with visitors, members, donors, staff, volunteers and beautiful birds! </span><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;">THANKS to your support, we had another successful year! We invite you to read the November reports below, as well as our highlights from 2022. Wishing you all the best in the New Year and we look forward to connecting with you in 2023! </span><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><p style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><u><b>November Research & Education Summaries</b></u></span></p><p style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><u><b><br /></b></u></span></p><p style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><b><u>November 2022 Raptor Banding Summary</u></b></span></p><p style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span></p><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><img align="right" alt="Northern Shrike" border="0" height="165" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/5142d552ff/Northern%20Shrike%20Oct%2022.jpg" style="height: 165px; width: 95px;" title="Northern Shrike" vspace="0" width="95" /></span><p style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">The month of November was low in numbers for banding with only 36 raptors banded plus a Northern Shrike - an honorary raptor. The major cause of the low numbers was warmer temperatures, which likely shut down late season migrants at the end of October into early November. The only significant front was after the 15th when conditions were favorable, but raptors had likely settled into territories. </span></p><p style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><img align="right" alt="Golden Eagle Nov 30 22 by F Nicoletti H Toutonghi 4" border="0" height="183" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/5142d552ff/Golden%20Eagle%20Nov%2030%2022%20by%20F%20Nicoletti%20H%20Toutonghi%204.jpg" style="height: 183px; width: 278px;" title="Golden Eagle Nov 30 22 by F Nicoletti H Toutonghi 4" vspace="0" width="278" /></span><p style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">The 30th, last day of the banding season, was extra </span><span style="font-size: small;">special as I captured and banded a second-year male Golden Eagle. </span><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">I had anticipated a good flight of raptors with the forecast of NW winds 20-30mph with higher gust. Temperatures were around 20 degrees with windchill below zero and partly sunny skies. I got to the station at 8:15 to clear the trapping area of the fresh 3” of snow from the previous day and night. </span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">A great flight indeed with good numbers of Bald Eagles (41) moving by the station along with 7 Golden and a </span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><a style="cursor: pointer;" tabindex="-1" target=""></a></span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">scattering of a few other non eagles. I was fortunate enough to catch a second year male golden around 2:30 in the afternoon. The last raptor of the 2022 season and certainly the highlight of my season. </span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">I was able to share this remarkable bird with several HRBO folks and grad students. </span></span></span></p><p style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></p><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><img align="right" alt="Frank with Golden Eagle 11-30-22 by E Bruhnke" border="0" height="203" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/5142d552ff/Frank%20with%20Golden%20Eagle%2011-30-22%20by%20E%20Bruhnke.jpg" style="height: 203px; width: 278px;" title="Frank with Golden Eagle 11-30-22 by E Bruhnke" vspace="0" width="278" /></span><p style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">I’m so blessed to be able to work at an incredible place like Hawk Ridge. </span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Thanks for all who support HRBO in so many ways. </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;">The end of season results will be shared soon with more highlights and fall details. </span></span></p><p style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><u>November Banded Raptor Totals</u></span></p><p style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Northern Harrier-1 </span></p><p style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Sharp-shinned Hawk-5 </span></p><p style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Northern Goshawk-4 </span></p><p style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Red-tailed Hawk-7 </span></p><p style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Golden Eagle-1 </span></p><p style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Northern Saw-whet Owl-7</span></p><p style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Long-eared Owl-11 </span></p><p style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Northern Shrike-1 </span></p><p style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Frank Nicoletti, Banding Director</span></p><p style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><b><u>November 2022 Bird Migration Count Report</u></b></span></p><p style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span></p><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><img align="right" alt="Hawk Ridge Nov 22 by E Bruhnke" border="0" height="209" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/5142d552ff/Hawk%20Ridge%20Nov%2022%20by%20E%20Bruhnke.jpg" style="height: 209px; width: 278px;" title="Hawk Ridge Nov 22 by E Bruhnke" vspace="0" width="278" /></span><p style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">The 51st consecutive fall migration count season at Hawk Ridge wrapped up on 30 November. A total of 161 count hours over 26 non-consecutive days of counts were logged throughout the month. Inclement weather resulted in four days of no count being conducted. A total of 917 migrant raptors of 10 species were tallied from the observation platform between 01 and 30 November. The general trend was slightly lower-than-average November totals for most species. </span></p><p style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><img align="right" alt="Adult male dark morph Rough-legged Hawk by E Bruhnke" border="0" height="175" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/5142d552ff/Adult%20male%20dark%20morph%20Rough-legged%20Hawk%20by%20E%20Bruhnke.jpg" style="height: 175px; width: 278px;" title="Adult male dark morph Rough-legged Hawk by E Bruhnke" vspace="0" width="278" /></span><p style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">RED- TAILED HAWKS (606) and BALD-EAGLES (966) were among the most abundant raptor species over the month, with both accounting for 85% of the monthly total alone. ROUGH- LEGGED HAWKS, which are often also among one of the most abundant late season raptor migrants, experienced a low November (and overall season) total compared to the ten-year average (2012-2021) of 309 – only approximately 1/3 of that number passed this November. </span></p><p style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><img align="right" alt="GOEA 22 by F Nicoletti" border="0" height="290" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/5142d552ff/GOEA%2022%20by%20F%20Nicoletti.jpg" style="height: 290px; width: 278px;" title="GOEA 22 by F Nicoletti" vspace="0" width="278" /></span><p style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Despite GOLDEN EAGLES having a higher-than-average October total, they also experienced a lower November total compared to the ten-year average (101), with just over half of that amount passing the ridge. NORTHERN GOSHAWKS are also historically among the most abundant raptor species to make passage in November with a ten-year average of 60. However, this year marked the lowest November total since 1989, as only nine migrant birds were documented passing the ridge. A late migrating BROAD-WINGED HAWK mixed in with kettles of Red- tailed Hawks on 7 November as the groups of buteos pushed their way down the distant lakeshore – the last of this species being seen from the ridge on 14 October. </span></p><p style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><img align="right" alt="Pine Grosbeak by S McLaughlin" border="0" height="269" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/5142d552ff/Pine%20Grosbeak%20by%20S%20McLaughlin%20Oct%2022.jpg" style="height: 269px; width: 278px;" title="Pine Grosbeak by S McLaughlin" vspace="0" width="278" /></span><p style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">The non-raptor flight in November is typically comprised of later migrating waterbirds coupled with the arrival of winter finches and their allies (depending on the year). CANADA GEESE (1,108) were the most abundant non-raptor species moving throughout the month, followed by AMERICAN CROWS (372) beginning to migrate south out of the northern forests and AMERICAN ROBIN (324) wrapping up their migrations south. PINE GROSBEAK (223) was also among the most abundant winter passerine making movements south, with a peak day of 69 on 17 November. </span></p><p style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><img align="right" alt="Red Crossbill by S McLaughlin" border="0" height="207" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/5142d552ff/Red%20Crossbill%20by%20S%20McLaughlin%20Oct%2022.jpg" style="height: 207px; width: 278px;" title="Red Crossbill by S McLaughlin" vspace="0" width="278" /></span><p style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">PINE SISKIN (215), AMERICAN GOLDFINCH (204), and COMMON REDPOLL (171) numbers were the next most abundant; however, not indicative of any large irruptions along the north shore this fall for any species. While experiencing larger irruptive movements very far south throughout much of the continent this fall, EVENING GROSBEAKS (158) only passed the ridge in modest numbers this fall. Both RED (132) and WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS (30) were less abundant this fall as well. A total of ten NORTHERN SHRIKES passed during the month, at times piercing the cold wintery silence with their shrill vocalizations while briefly hunting the nearby chickadee feeder flocks. One TOWNSEND’S SOLITAIRE passed through the ridge as well – the second on the season. </span></p><p style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Thank you to everybody who came up to the ridge this past fall to enjoy the migration and community. The fall count will resume in 2023 in mid-August. </span></p><p style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Jess Cosentino, Fall Count Director</span></p><p style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><b><u>2022 Education Summary</u></b></span></p><p style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span></p><p style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Christmas Bird Count Season is always a fun time of year! Big numbers of Evening Grosbeaks and Bohemian Waxwings turned up in the area counts!! Hooray for winter birds - it's so exciting to see them even in the throws of lots of snow! Like the Christmas Bird Count numbers, 2022 was a busy year for Hawk Ridge Education Programming. It seems every year keeps getting busier, and busier -which is great news when you are educating the world about the wonders of birds and their importance in the world!! </span></p><p style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><img align="right" alt="Naturalist Sara measuring her wingspan" border="0" height="210" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/5142d552ff/Naturalist%20Sara%20measuring%20her%20wingspan.JPG" style="height: 210px; width: 278px;" title="Naturalist Sara measuring her wingspan" vspace="0" width="278" /></span><p style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">We continue to build spring migration programming and we were happy to welcome Sara DePew as a second educator and count interpreter for the spring season! We formally started spring education programming in 2019 with our reinstated spring count. In 2022, we hosted twice as many different school groups as our first year in 2019! We are definitely growing on the spring programming side of the spectrum! Summer 2022, was also the first year that we had a full-time education director on during the summer months and it was filled with programs. New programs that happened included welcoming Viking Great Lakes cruise passengers to Hawk Ridge for programming- we enjoyed educating people from all over the country and world with 7 cruise visits May through September. We also were able to offer the first Minnesota Master Naturalist Course through Hawk Ridge with a wonderful group of participants. We also had an assortment of bird programs for partnered area day camp programs and a number of outreach presentations as well. </span></p><p style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><img align="right" alt="HRBO staff costumes 10-31-22" border="0" height="209" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/5142d552ff/unnamed%20(3).jpg" style="height: 209px; width: 278px;" title="HRBO staff costumes 10-31-22" vspace="0" width="278" /></span><p style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Fall, as always, was a busy season, with school programming getting much closer to what we remember pre-pandemic levels, and we were lucky to have an incredibly talented team of education trainees, interns, and naturalists to provide programming! Huge thank you to: Sara DePew, Jake Behrens, Sarah Wood, Chris Schnurbusch, Daniel Goldberg, Julia Luger, Allie Quick, Caroline Urban, Jamie Tiggs, Jason Heinen, Sophie Richardson, and Drake Hacker! Whew- it takes a small army to keep education programming going through the fall season! And many thanks as well to Lisa Oakland for managing the merchandise and the visitor services front, as well as Valerie Slocum leading our incredible team of volunteers for their efforts that support every aspect of Hawk Ridge programming. We had a lot of fun, as you can see by our last day costume photo on Oct. 31st!</span></p><p style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><img align="right" alt="Bird demo with Jake" border="0" height="280" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/5142d552ff/308351828_5622906101105416_3964966289407349816_n.jpg" style="height: 280px; width: 278px;" title="Bird demo with Jake" vspace="0" width="278" /></span><p style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">During the fall, we provided more than 150 educational program opportunities for K12 schools, college groups, traveling groups, general public programming, owl programs, Hawk Weekend/50th Anniversary festival programs, virtual programs and workshops. All in all, nearly 3,000 participants took part in educational programming at Hawk Ridge over the fall. We also did more than 200 live bird demonstrations and interacted with thousands of Hawk Ridge visitors! Looking at the whole picture for 2022, we provided more than 220 formal programs for more than 4,200 participants! </span></p><p style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;">To read our FULL 2022 Education Summary, please click HERE. Stay tuned to our website and watch for Facebook posts for more opportunities to enjoy Hawk Ridge Educational Programming in 2023! Lots of interesting programming ahead, including our exciting international birding trip to Costa Rica next spring! Thank you for sharing in the magic of migration with us</span><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;">! </span></span></p><p style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Margie Menzies, Education Director</span></p><p style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span></p><p style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><u><b>2022 HAWK RIDGE HIGHLIGHTS</b> </u></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><img align="right" alt="Broad-winged Hawk Migrating at Hawk Ridge" border="0" height="129" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/3f02088ac0/Broad-winged%20Hawk%20Migrating%20at%20Hawk%20Ridge.JPG" style="height: 129px; width: 200px;" title="Broad-winged Hawk Migrating at Hawk Ridge" vspace="0" width="200" /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif">As we look to the new year and the next 50 years, we invite you to reflect on what Hawk Ridge means to you. One of the most memorable parts of our 50th celebration event in September was hearing the inspirational and heartfelt stories from attendees through the decades - memories of a special visit, a meaningful bird release, an exciting big migration day, reuniting or being united with friends and loved ones at Hawk Ridge, or the simple magic and joy of watching birds. We appreciate all that Hawk Ridge brings to people and bird conservation and we can’t thank you enough for being part of that.</span><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif"> </span></span></p><p></p><p style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>RESEARCH AND PROGRAMS</i></b></p><p style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></p><p style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><b>BIRD MIGRATION COUNT RESEARCH</b><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"> </span></span></p><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><img align="right" alt="Counters 2022" border="0" height="209" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/5142d552ff/313887323_5743296009066424_2706077815802271239_n.jpg" style="height: 209px; width: 278px;" title="Counters 2022" vspace="0" width="278" /></span><p style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">During our 2022 Spring and Fall seasons, our skilled and focused counters documented over 84,000 raptors of 18 different species, as well as 163,000+ other migrating birds of 160+ species. Above 10-yr average numbers were counted this fall for Northern Harrier, Broad-winged Hawk, and American Kestrel. A surprise first record of a Swallow-tailed Kite was recorded! In total, over 3.2 million raptors have been counted at Hawk Ridge since the start in 1972.</span></p><p style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><b>BIRD BANDING RESEARCH</b> </span></p><p style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><img align="right" alt="GOEA 22 H Toutonghi" border="0" height="242" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/5142d552ff/GOEA%2022%20H%20Toutonghi.jpg" style="height: 242px; width: 278px;" title="GOEA 22 H Toutonghi" vspace="0" width="278" /></p><p style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">We continue to run the largest raptor banding operation in the country. Our stellar banding team, led by Frank Nicoletti, banded over 2200 raptors (hawks, falcons, eagles, owls) in fall 2022. A few highlights included a Golden Eagle Banded on the last day of the season and the E. Screech Owl returning for the 5th year! Dedicated volunteers continued passerine banding at Hawk Ridge, including the summer MAPS (Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship) research project, with the leadership of David Alexander and Margie Menzies.</span></p><p style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><img align="right" alt="Education Trainee Chris with Kestrel Oct 22" border="0" height="152" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/5142d552ff/unnamed%20(21).jpg" style="height: 188px; width: 125px;" title="Education Trainee Chris with Kestrel Oct 22" vspace="0" width="101" /></span><p style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-size: medium;">TRAINEESHIP PROGRAM & STUDENT RESEARCH</b><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><p style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Seven trainees, five research and two environmental education, received exceptional professional field experience within our count, banding, and education programs. We collaborated with students from University of MN Duluth on graduate research projects and other outdoor education classes.</span></p><p style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;"><i><b>EDUCATION</b> & </i></span><b style="font-size: large;"><i>COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT </i></b></span></p><p style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></p><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><img align="right" alt="HRBO Volunteers helping visitors" border="0" height="209" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/5142d552ff/IMG_9884.jpg" style="height: 209px; width: 278px;" title="HRBO Volunteers helping visitors" vspace="0" width="278" /></span><p style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Hawk Ridge Education Director, Margie Menzies, and our amazing education team taught more than 220 educational programs in 2022, reaching over 4200 participants of all ages! Thousands of visitors at Hawk Ridge shared in the magic of migration with us and learned through our live bird education demos, kid’s cart activities, school field trips and public programs. We also provided workshops, outreach events, and virtual programs throughout the year. Our volunteer program engaged nearly 70 people that contributed a total of approx. 3,000 hours in 2022. Thank you to all of our staff and volunteers!</span></p><p style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></p><p style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><b>HAWK WEEKEND FESTIVAL & 50TH ANNIVERSARY EVENT</b></span></p><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><img align="right" alt="50th Anniversary Event Logo 2022 by Emma Regnier" border="0" height="200" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/5142d552ff/50th%20Anniversary%20Event%20Logo%202022%20by%20Emma%20Regnier.jpg" style="height: 200px; width: 200px;" title="50th Anniversary Event Logo 2022 by Emma Regnier" vspace="0" width="200" /></span><p style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;">2022 marked the 50th anniversary of Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve and 50 years of continued raptor research & education! We celebrated with a memorable festival weekend September 22nd-25th. Over 200 attended the kick-off banquet at the Greysolon Ballroom in celebration of the past, present, and future with heartfelt stories and speakers through the decades. A poster session was held Friday evening at the Great Lakes Aquarium and presentation Saturday evening at UMD both highlighting 50 years of Hawk Ridge research. Dr. Robert Rosenfield received the Hawk Ridge Lifetime Achievement award for exceptional contributions to raptor research inspired by early years at Hawk Ridge. It was a wonderful weekend!</span><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><p style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><b>LAND STEWARDSHIP</b> </span></p><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><img align="right" alt="Jan and John Green Sept 22 by S DePew" border="0" height="209" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/5142d552ff/Jan%20and%20John%20Green%20Sept%2022%20by%20S%20DePew.jpeg" style="height: 209px; width: 278px;" title="Jan and John Green Sept 22 by S DePew" vspace="0" width="278" /></span><p style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Volunteers helped lead important site stewardship management projects at Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve, such as trail maintenance and invasive species control. An exciting highlight is the acceptance of our Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve Facilities Plan by the City of Duluth for educational and safety improvements for visitors. This project includes a new accessible trail, permanent restroom, additional education program spaces, observation deck, and more! We look forward to continuing progress and sharing more with you in 2023!</span></p><p style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><div style="font-size: 10pt;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><b><u><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><img align="right" alt="IMG_0871" border="0" height="144" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/3f02088ac0/IMG_0871.jpg" style="height: 144px; width: 200px;" title="IMG_0871" vspace="0" width="200" /></span></u></b></span></div><div style="font-size: 10pt;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">With your generosity and support today, we will soar into the next 50 years! Your investment in our mission will help us continue to protect birds, launch new exciting initiatives and events, and foster those special connections built between the birds, the people, and the place at Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve. This incredible work happening each year is thanks to our amazing staff, volunteers, and the generosity of members and donors, like you. Thank you in advance for your consideration in a year-end gift, which can be made online <a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/special-50th-giving-campaign/" target="_blank">HERE</a>. </span></div><div style="font-size: 10pt;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: 10pt;"><span face="Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">From all of us at Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory, we send our warmest wishes and sincere gratitude for you this holiday season and New Year.</span></div><div style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt;"></span></b></span><a href="http://www.hawkridge.org/support/donate/" target="_blank"><b><span><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span face="Arial, "sans-serif"" style="font-size: 10pt;"></span></span></span></b></a></span></div></div><div style="border-color: black; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; clear: both; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; width: 560px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><b><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Happy New Year and wishing you all the best in 2023! THANK YOU!</span></b><br /><br /></span><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Sincerely,</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Janelle Long</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Executive Director</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory</span></p></div>Hawk Ridge Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03346381697590328711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5922014117958172534.post-815399655990326602022-11-16T17:24:00.000-06:002022-11-16T17:24:22.837-06:00Hawk Ridge News - November 2022<p> <img align="none" alt="HRBO_DM_LogoCMYK 2" border="0" height="124" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/16fa9417c4/HRBO_DM_LogoCMYK%202.jpg" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; height: 124px; width: 306px;" title="HRBO_DM_LogoCMYK 2" vspace="0" width="306" /></p><div style="border-color: black; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; clear: both; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; width: 614px;"><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </p></div><h3 style="border-color: black; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 6px; padding: 0px; width: 614px;"></h3><div style="border-color: black; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; clear: both; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; width: 614px;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Dear Hawk Ridge Friends,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p><img align="right" alt="IMG_9887" border="0" height="229" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/d450ca8c6a/IMG_9887.jpg" style="height: 229px; width: 306px;" title="IMG_9887" vspace="0" width="306" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">November is here and it's always a nice month to begin to reflect on another great fall bird migration season. Thank you to all the wonderful visitors, members, volunteers, and staff for being part of magic of Hawk Ridge. It's such a special place for so many reasons - we're so grateful for the beautiful birds and connections with you! While our fall bird migration programs and visitor services at Hawk Ridge ended on Oct. 31st, our count and banding research continues through Nov. 30th. You can continue to follow along through the end of month by clicking our live full bird count <a href="https://dunkadoo.org/explore/hawk-ridge-bird-observatory/migration-count-fall-2022" target="_blank">HERE</a> and raptor count <a href="https://hawkcount.org/month_summary.php?rsite=288&ryear=2022&rmonth=11" target="_blank">HERE</a>. Over 200,000 birds have been counted, including over 64,500 raptors of 18 species! You can find our October research & education summary reports below. <b>P.S. Thurs. Nov. 17</b><sup style="font-weight: bold;">th</sup><b> is a special giving day here in MN for nonprofits with Give to the Max Day! </b><u style="font-weight: bold;">We would sure appreciate your extra support, as any donation $5 or more is eligible to turn into a super-sized gift of $500, $1000, or even $10,000!</u> You can contribute by clicking <a href="https://www.givemn.org/organization/Hawkridge" target="_blank">HERE</a> https://www.givemn.org/organization/Hawkridge! Thanks for your support!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><a href="https://www.givemn.org/organization/Hawkridge" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Help Us Celebrate 50 Years by </span></a></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.givemn.org/organization/Hawkridge" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Giving to the Max for Hawk Ridge!</span></a></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">NOW through Thursday, November 17th</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p><img align="right" alt="Banding Trainee Maggie (left) and Bander Abbie (right) with Golden Eagle by H Toutonghi" border="0" height="195" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/1412716bca/IMG_3001.JPG" style="height: 195px; width: 306px;" title="Banding Trainee Maggie (left) and Bander Abbie (right) with Golden Eagle by H Toutonghi" vspace="0" width="306" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">From seeing beautiful Golden Eagles to hopefully winning a Golden Ticket this November - please help us celebrate our 50th anniversary and Give to the Max for Hawk Ridge! Your special donation could turn into an extra $500 Golden Ticket during the early giving period taking place now or even better with a $10,000 Golden Ticket on Give to the Max Day this Thurs. Nov. 17th! </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><a href="https://www.givemn.org/organization/Hawkridge" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img align="right" alt="GTMD22_square__GTMD22_square_full color" border="0" height="175" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/d450ca8c6a/GTMD22_square__GTMD22_square_full%20color.jpg" style="height: 175px; width: 175px;" title="GTMD22_square__GTMD22_square_full color" vspace="0" width="175" /></span></a><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Each year, generous supporters like you celebrate Give to the Max Day by making your online donation. Your generosity on this day makes a difference far beyond the 24-hour giving event. Please consider making a donation on Thursday, November 17, 2022. Drawings will be held every 15 minutes during Give to the Max to grow your gift!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> Your gift could instantly turn into an extra $500, $1,000 or even $10,000 for us with the Golden Ticket! </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="HRBO_50th_Anniversary_Design_color_gold_text" border="0" height="175" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/d450ca8c6a/HRBO_50th_Anniversary_Design_color_gold_text.jpg" style="height: 175px; width: 175px;" title="HRBO_50th_Anniversary_Design_color_gold_text" vspace="0" width="175" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The more gifts we generate during Give to the Max Day, the more our chances increase to receive those additional prizes. Our year-end goal in celebration of our 50th anniversary is $50,000 and you can help us reach it and hopefully exceed it! You can easily make your gift online by visiting GiveMN.org and searching for "Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory" or by simply <a href="https://www.givemn.org/organization/Hawkridge" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">clicking HERE to Give to the Max</span></a> in support of Hawk Ridge! We truly appreciate your support on this special giving day! P.S. You can view our special 50th Anniversary Video <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lyicHaPF3Xo" target="_blank">HERE</a> sharing history and highlights. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><u><span style="font-family: verdana;">October Bird Migration Count Summary</span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><u><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></u></b></p><img align="right" alt="Fall Count 2022" border="0" height="188" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com//d450ca8c6a/unnamed%20(19).jpg?0.8201022727725631" style="height: 188px; width: 200px;" title="Fall Count 2022" vspace="0" width="200" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">The 51st consecutive fall migration count season at Hawk Ridge continued into October as the shift from late summer into autumn, and eventually early winter, conditions gradually unfold. A total of 286 count hours over 31 consecutive days of counts were logged throughout the month. A total of 11,058 migrant raptors of 15 species and 54 migrant non-raptor species were tallied from the observation platform between 1 and 31 October. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="Red-tailed Hawk_abcola by S McLaughlin" border="0" height="229" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/d450ca8c6a/Red-tailed%20Hawk_abcola%20by%20S%20McLaughlin.jpg" style="height: 229px; width: 306px;" title="Red-tailed Hawk_abcola by S McLaughlin" vspace="0" width="306" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">The month began with less favorable weather conditions as the first days saw both strong southern and blustery east winds off the lake, while the final week(s) experienced unseasonably warmer temperatures coupled with more southern-dominant wind patterns. The general trend for raptor counts this month was that most were either slightly, or well, below the 10-year (2012-2021) October averages. Notably, RED-TAILED HAWKS were approximately 41% below that average (5468) while NORTHERN GOSHAWKS were 61% below their monthly average (126). Both species historically experience their peak migration during the month of October on the ridge. It was the second consecutive October with only double-digit Northern Goshawk numbers – a trend not observed for well over a decade prior (since 2010). Red-tailed Hawk numbers peaked between October 17 and 20, with 45% of the monthly total passing the ridge during those four days alone. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="Rough-legged Hawk_dark_sub by S McLaughlin" border="0" height="246" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/d450ca8c6a/Rough-legged%20Hawk_dark_sub%20by%20S%20McLaughlin.jpg" style="height: 246px; width: 306px;" title="Rough-legged Hawk_dark_sub by S McLaughlin" vspace="0" width="306" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK (64) numbers were dramatically lower than the monthly average (393), with only two double-digit count days logged throughout the entire month. Both MERLIN (61) and PEREGRINE FALCON (15) numbers were down this month, with the latter species only being observed half as frequently as the monthly average. BALD EAGLE (1279) numbers on the month were strong; however, still several hundred birds under the monthly average typically observed along the ridge during the month. However, both GOLDEN EAGLES (103) and NORTHERN HARRIERS (220) were well above their respective monthly averages, while AMERICAN KESTRELS (229) were consistent with their ten-average. One of the best Golden Eagle flights came on the second to last day of the month as 20 migrants (21 % of monthly total) were documented. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="Sharp-shinned Hawk by S McLaughlin Oct 22" border="0" height="204" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/d450ca8c6a/SSHA.jpg" style="height: 204px; width: 306px;" title="Sharp-shinned Hawk by S McLaughlin Oct 22" vspace="0" width="306" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS (5067) were also generally consistent with the long-term average (albeit slightly below), with the bulk of those birds passing in the first half of the month. COOPER’S HAWK (35) numbers were only down about 17% relative to their monthly average. Only a handful of BROAD-WINGED HAWKS (19) passed along the ridge throughout October, with the final bird of the month being observed on October 14; however, this is typical as most of this species passes through in September. In general, overall raptor counts were down this month relative to past years and this may be attributed to a combination of less favorable weather and wind patterns persisting throughout significant periods of that time. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="Red Crossbill by S McLaughlin Oct 22" border="0" height="228" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/d450ca8c6a/Red%20Crossbill%20by%20S%20McLaughlin%20Oct%2022.jpg" style="height: 228px; width: 306px;" title="Red Crossbill by S McLaughlin Oct 22" vspace="0" width="306" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;">October on the ridge experiences several interesting transitions in migratory non-raptor species as the last of the early migrants have pushed out of the northern forests paired with the arrival of later season species, like the winter finches and their allies. Of note this month included migrant PURPLE FINCHES showing a steady push along the ridge between October 7 and 17, averaging 286 birds/day over nine days (A total of 5062 passing over the month). The winter finch forecasts for this species had projected them to be on the move south in large numbers while exiting the eastern Canadian boreal forests and this push of birds along the ridge aligned with those predictions. EVENING GROSBEAKS have also been experiencing an irruptive fall in North America, arriving at various southern latitudes across the country, while the first few were observed along the ridge on 10/29 and 10/31 in small numbers (2 and 9, respectively). M</span>igrant RED CROSSBILLS began to appear on counts later in the month, with small groups and individuals being documented mostly during the final week. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="Pine Grosbeak by S McLaughlin Oct 22 2" border="0" height="296" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/d450ca8c6a/Pine%20Grosbeak%20by%20S%20McLaughlin%20Oct%2022%202.jpg" style="height: 296px; width: 306px;" title="Pine Grosbeak by S McLaughlin Oct 22 2" vspace="0" width="306" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The first COMMON REDPOLL flew over the platform on the final day of the month coupled with the first PINE GROSBEAKS of the fall. On 10/05, a shift to more favorable northwest wind conditions, following days of stale southern and eastern wind patterns, brought a large movement of passerines along both the lakeshore and ridge. On this day, a strong push of BLUE JAYS broke the previous Hawk Ridge season record for this species set in 2021 (59,501). A total of 2562 Blue Jays would pass during the month, bolstering the record just a bit more. AMERICAN ROBINS (12,595) and YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS (5201) comprised the remaining bulk of passerine movement on the month. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="American White Pelican by J Richardson" border="0" height="241" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/d450ca8c6a/American%20White%20Pelican%20by%20J%20Richardson.JPG" style="height: 241px; width: 306px;" title="American White Pelican by J Richardson" vspace="0" width="306" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The last AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS of the month passed along the lakeshore on 10/20. Small groups of both migrant HERRING and RING-BILLED GULLS began appearing as birds leave their boreal forest breeding grounds. A late migrant COMMON NIGHTHAWK passed close along the ridge on 10/11. A mix of migrant waterbirds, including COMMON LOON, COMMON MERGANSER, MALLARD, AMERICAN WIGEON, NORTHERN PINTAIL, GREATER SCAUP, and UNKNOWN AYTHYA SP. were observed flying down the ridge and towards the lake throughout the month. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="American Tree Sparrow by J Richardson" border="0" height="204" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/d450ca8c6a/American%20Tree%20Sparrow%20by%20J%20Richardson.JPG" style="height: 204px; width: 306px;" title="American Tree Sparrow by J Richardson" vspace="0" width="306" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The first TRUMPETER/TUNDRA SWANS passed the ridge as early as 10/06 with smaller groups continuing throughout the month. The first push of migrant DARK-EYED JUNCOS (42) came on 10/05, while the first FOX SPARROW and AMERICAN TREE SPARROW visited the nearby feeders on 10/06 and 10/13, respectively, the first NORTHERN SHRIKE landed in nearby trees on October 17, and first SNOW BUNTING flock passed on October 20. Several BOREAL CHICKADEES (4) were observed on the ridge, as early as 10/07 and continued until the final day of the month, often fluttering only a few feet from the platform and across the road. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Fall migration continues into the month of November at Hawk Ridge. Make sure to follow our full bird migration count in real-time <a href="https://dunkadoo.org/explore/hawk-ridge-bird-observatory/migration-count-fall-2022" target="_blank">HERE</a> and our raptor count <a href="https://hawkcount.org/month_summary.php?r=on&rsite=288&go=Go+to+site" target="_blank">HERE</a> until 11/30 to see what birds we are counting each day as they migrate south. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Jess Cosentino</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Fall Count Director</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><u><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><u><span style="font-family: verdana;">October Raptor Banding Summary</span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><u><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></u></b></p><img align="right" alt="Adult dark Red-tailed Hawk" border="0" height="251" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/d450ca8c6a/Adult%20dark%20Red-tailed%20Hawk.jpg" style="height: 251px; width: 306px;" title="Adult dark Red-tailed Hawk" vspace="0" width="306" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">In the month of October, we saw beautiful weather with many days in the 60’s and 70’s, which is well above normal, with lots of southerly winds. The exception was a cold stretch Oct. 17-23, when we caught the majority of the Red-tailed Hawks and Northern Goshawks. Unfortunately, weather like this does not promote much raptor migration. However, we did manage to band raptors on 74 diurnal station days of running. The three stations were open on many days with help of staff and volunteers. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">A total of 308 diurnal raptors were banded with the following: </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="Adult male Northern Harrier Gray Ghost Oct 22 3" border="0" height="185" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/d450ca8c6a/Adult%20male%20Northern%20Harrier%20Gray%20Ghost%20Oct%2022%203.jpg" style="height: 185px; width: 250px;" title="Adult male Northern Harrier Gray Ghost Oct 22 3" vspace="0" width="250" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Northern Harrier-8 </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Sharp-shinned Hawk-219 </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Cooper’s Hawk-7 </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Northern Goshawk-24 </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Red-tailed Hawk-38 </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">American Kestrel-2 </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Merlin-8</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Peregrine Falcon-1 </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Northern Shrike-1 </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img align="none" alt="Northern Shrike Oct 22 2" border="0" height="260" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/d450ca8c6a/Northern%20Shrike%20Oct%2022%202.jpg" style="height: 260px; width: 150px;" title="Northern Shrike Oct 22 2" vspace="0" width="150" /> <img align="top" alt="Nice visit former banding trainee J Wilson and F Nicoletti 2" border="0" height="233" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/d450ca8c6a/Nice%20visit%20former%20banding%20trainee%20J%20Wilson%20and%20F%20Nicoletti%202.jpg" style="height: 233px; width: 175px;" title="Nice visit former banding trainee J Wilson and F Nicoletti 2" vspace="0" width="175" /> <img align="top" alt="Adult Male Merline Oct 22 2" border="0" height="180" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/d450ca8c6a/Adult%20Male%20Merline%20Oct%2022%202.jpg" style="height: 180px; width: 235px;" title="Adult Male Merline Oct 22 2" vspace="0" width="235" /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="Banding Trainees Allie Bryce Emily with transmitter on Red-tailed Hawk" border="0" height="230" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/d450ca8c6a/Banding%20Trainees%20Allie%20Bryce%20Emily%20with%20transmitter%20on%20Red-tailed%20Hawk.jpg" style="height: 230px; width: 306px;" title="Banding Trainees Allie Bryce Emily with transmitter on Red-tailed Hawk" vspace="0" width="306" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">One current banding research initiative we’ve been working on is putting on transmitters of select species of raptors that we don’t have much information on with migratory movements. One of those species is the Red-tailed Hawk. We were able to deploy three units and we still have three more to hopefully deploy in November. Allie Pesano and Bryce Robinson, from Cornell Lab of Ornithology, are currently studying various aspect of Red-tails. We would to thank Bryce and Cellular Tracking Technologies for providing the transmitters.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Frank Nicoletti, Banding Director</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Maggie Brown, Bander</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Banding Trainees (Kara Beer, Hannah Landwerlen, Jadzia Rodriguez)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Banding Volunteers (David Alexander & Miranda Durbin)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><u><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></u></b></p><img align="right" alt="1000th Owl Fall Season Oct 31 22 by L Rolls 2" border="0" height="200" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/d450ca8c6a/1000th%20Owl%20Fall%20Season%20Oct%2031%2022%20by%20L%20Rolls%202.JPG" style="height: 200px; width: 150px;" title="1000th Owl Fall Season Oct 31 22 by L Rolls 2" vspace="0" width="150" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><u><span style="font-family: verdana;">October Owl Banding Summary</span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><u><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">October was off to a booming start with a steady average of 50 Saw-whets a night. On October 6th we hit our second 100 owl night of the season with a total of 104 owls. As the month continued, we faced unusually warm weather and high wind days, which led to reduced migration activity and banding days. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Throughout the month numbers of Long-eared owls trickled in. Our biggest night was October 30th, with a total of 13 owls. We wrapped up October with our first Great Horned Owl of the season, which was a gorgeous hatch year female weighing in at 1,484 grams. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img align="top" alt="Great Horned Owl 2 Oct 22 by L Rolls 2" border="0" height="170" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/d450ca8c6a/Great%20Horned%20Owl%202%20Oct%2022%20by%20L%20Rolls%202.jpg" style="height: 170px; width: 150px;" title="Great Horned Owl 2 Oct 22 by L Rolls 2" vspace="0" width="150" /> <img align="top" alt="Great Horned Owl Oct 22 by L Rolls" border="0" height="187" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/d450ca8c6a/Great%20Horned%20Owl%20Oct%2022%20by%20L%20Rolls.jpg" style="height: 187px; width: 250px;" title="Great Horned Owl Oct 22 by L Rolls" vspace="0" width="250" /> <img align="none" alt="Great Horned Owl October 22 by L Rolls" border="0" height="200" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/d450ca8c6a/Great%20Horned%20Owl%20October%2022%20by%20L%20Rolls.JPG" style="height: 200px; width: 150px;" title="Great Horned Owl October 22 by L Rolls" vspace="0" width="150" /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Our totals for October were 638 banded and 44 recap Saw-whets, which included 277 hatch year’s and 405 adults. We also had 41 banded and 2 recap Long-eared owls, which included 11 hatch years and 32 adults. Lastly, we had 3 hatch year Barred Owls for the month. This puts us at a season total at 1,012 owls banded, which is about 500 below Hawk Ridge’s season average. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> <img align="none" alt="Reigning heavy weight champion Saw-whet Owl of season 119 grams ASY F by L Rolls" border="0" height="267" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/d450ca8c6a/Reigning%20heavy%20weight%20champion%20Saw-whet%20Owl%20of%20season%20119%20grams%20ASY%20F%20by%20L%20Rolls.JPG" style="height: 267px; width: 200px;" title="Reigning heavy weight champion Saw-whet Owl of season 119 grams ASY F by L Rolls" vspace="0" width="200" /> <img align="none" alt="HY Male Northern Saw-whet Owl Oct 22 by L Rolls" border="0" height="267" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/d450ca8c6a/HY%20Male%20Northern%20Saw-whet%20Owl%20Oct%2022%20by%20L%20Rolls.JPG" style="height: 267px; width: 200px;" title="HY Male Northern Saw-whet Owl Oct 22 by L Rolls" vspace="0" width="200" /> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="Long-eared Owls of Hawk Ridge Oct 22 by L Rolls" border="0" height="338" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/d450ca8c6a/Long-eared%20Owls%20of%20Hawk%20Ridge%20Oct%2022%20by%20L%20Rolls.jpg" style="height: 338px; width: 190px;" title="Long-eared Owls of Hawk Ridge Oct 22 by L Rolls" vspace="0" width="190" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Unfortunately, numbers were lower for all species. A less successful breeding year, higher than average weather days, abnormally warm temps, and more nights than usual with easterly winds are all factors that could have played into these lower numbers. As we close out our fall season in November, we hope cooler temperatures will lead to one last push of Long-eared owls and potentially even a Boreal Owl. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">We would like to take a moment to thank all the volunteers, staff, and visitors for making this a great season. We hope to see familiar and new faces again next fall! Thank you!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Lesley Rolls</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Fall Owl Bander</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><u><span style="font-family: verdana;">October Passerine Banding Summary</span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><u><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></u></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Every migration season seems to have similarities and patterns we expect, yet every one seems different as well. No exception for this year. We had a nice productive September, but October was predominantly ruled by winds and not so great banding weather. Despite the weather issues we were able to band 118 birds during 13 days in October- which is better than my mind remembers! Our total for the season was 1057 birds banded in 47 days with 58 species represented.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-f63c5fb3-7fff-6b43-3a68-0d1b6c684209"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></p><img align="right" alt="Margie Menzies w Banded Chickadee" border="0" height="233" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/d450ca8c6a/Margie%20Menzies%20Chickadee%202014.jpeg" style="height: 233px; width: 175px;" title="Margie Menzies w Banded Chickadee" vspace="0" width="175" /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">We had 19 individual recaptures during the month of October with the vast majority of them Black-capped Chickadee, and Red-breasted Nuthatches. However, there is more to that story. 4 individual Chickadees birds accounted for 13 recaptures out of 21 Chickadee recaptures in October. In fact one particular bird was recaptured 5 times in the 13 days that we banded, not quite every day, but amazingly often! There were 8 individual Chickadees in the October recaps.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img align="right" alt="Golden-crowned Kinglet by Karl Bardon" border="0" height="200" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/d450ca8c6a/Golden-crowned%20Kinglet%20by%20Karl%20Bardon.jpg" style="height: 200px; width: 300px;" title="Golden-crowned Kinglet by Karl Bardon" vspace="0" width="300" /><span style="font-size: small;">It was an unusual season with some of our typical late season arrivals all in exceptionally small numbers. The late season crowd often begins with Winter Wrens (we banded 4 this year), and Dark-eyed Juncos (only 14 Juncos), then moves on to White-crowned Sparrows (which were absent for us this year) and Fox Sparrows, and finally Tree Sparrows. We also had small numbers of Ruby-crowned (35) and Golden-crowned Kinglets (15) this year. We caught all of these birds but in much smaller numbers than normal. Weather was definitely a dominant player in the small numbers.</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="White-throated Sparrow by K Bardon" border="0" height="203" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/d450ca8c6a/White-throated%20Sparrow%20(photo%20by%20Karl%20Bardon).jpg" style="height: 203px; width: 306px;" title="White-throated Sparrow by K Bardon" vspace="0" width="306" /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Our top ten species banded for the season saw 274 American Redstarts banded and occupying the number one slot, followed by number 2: Magnolia Warblers- 79, 3: Nashville Warblers- 66, 4: Tennessee Warblers- 57, 5: Swainson’s Thrushes- 51, Red-eyed Vireos- 38 and White-throated Sparrows- 38 tied for the 6th position, 7:Chestnut-sided Warblers- 35, 8: Least Flycatchers- 29, 9: Yellow-bellied Flycatchers- 24, and 10: Black-capped Chickadees- 20. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">But all of our efforts would be a mere fraction of what you see here if it weren’t for our amazing group of volunteer banders, net pickers, data scribes, and Hawk Ridge staff who also volunteer that make it possible for us to do this! Huge thanks to all of you, we couldn’t do it without all of you! Rest up over the winter and get ready to do it all over again when summer arrives and breeding bird MAPS banding gets going!!</span></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Margie Menzies & David Alexander</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Lead Passerine Banders</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><u><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><u><span style="font-family: verdana;">October Education Summary</span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><u><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></u></b></p><img align="right" alt="Oct 22 snow at the Ridge" border="0" height="229" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/d450ca8c6a/unnamed%20(9).jpg" style="height: 229px; width: 306px;" title="Oct 22 snow at the Ridge" vspace="0" width="306" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">October is always a month of transitions, with this year no exception. It tested our winter readiness for a few days mid-month, and a few hardy visitors were able to see staff entertain themselves with snowball fights! In contrast, the end of October warmed up and felt like early September again for over a week providing all with a wonderful end to the education season. What would October be without great looks at our end of season migrators such as Bald Eagles, Golden Eagles, Red-tailed Hawks and the beginning of the Rough-legged Hawk movement, and even the occasional Goshawk! An unusual highlight for the month- saw no education group program rescheduling due to weather! </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="Find your bird wingspan" border="0" height="229" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/d450ca8c6a/unnamed%20(7).jpg" style="height: 229px; width: 306px;" title="Find your bird wingspan" vspace="0" width="306" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">During the month of October, we provided programming for 15 school groups and 5 Higher Education groups and 2 private groups. During the weekends, we offered 30 general public programs and enjoyed providing programming for Duluth Community Day at Hawk Ridge on Oct. 22 with more than 200 visitors stopping by through the course of the day, enjoying the migration, programs and bird demonstrations. And thanks to the efforts of the banders, we provided 57 bird demonstrations for programs and visitors to the overlook through the course of the month. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="Long-eared Owl by P Mundale Oct 22" border="0" height="180" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/d450ca8c6a/Long-eared%20Owl%20by%20P%20Mundale%20Oct%2022.JPG" style="height: 180px; width: 135px;" title="Long-eared Owl by P Mundale Oct 22" vspace="0" width="135" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">O is for October and for Owls as well! Two general public owl programs brought out evening adventurers to learn about the Owls of Minnesota and experience the Ridge at night. But they were not the only ones WHOOO took advantage of Owl Programming. We also hosted 11 Small Group Owl Programs, with each hoping for the opportunity to learn more about these incredible nocturnal hunters up close and see the owl banding process up close (and they did!)! </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="Fall Staff Costumes Oct 31 22" border="0" height="131" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/d450ca8c6a/Fall%20Staff%20Costumes%20Oct%2031%2022.jpg" style="height: 131px; width: 275px;" title="Fall Staff Costumes Oct 31 22" vspace="0" width="275" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Thanks to our exceptional education staff, and our amazing volunteers! You can see we had a lot of fun this season just by looking at our staff costume photo on Oct. 31st - last day at the overlook! </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="Education Trainee Chris with Kestrel Oct 22" border="0" height="263" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/d450ca8c6a/unnamed%20(21).jpg" style="height: 263px; width: 175px;" title="Education Trainee Chris with Kestrel Oct 22" vspace="0" width="175" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">All in all, it was a wonderful season as always, but education at Hawk Ridge never really ends- so keep your eyes open for program opportunities through the winter including an amazing trip to Costa Rica in the end of March (still a couple of spaces- click <a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/event/costa-rica-birding-trip-march-25-2023-april-3-2023/" target="_blank">HERE</a> for details), workshop and field trip opportunities, a winter/spring Master Naturalist class, and likely some online opportunities as well! March 1st with the start of our spring migration count will be here before you know it!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Margie Menzies</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Education Director</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><u><span style="font-family: verdana;">October Volunteer Highlights</span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><u><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></u></b></p><img align="right" alt="Hawk Ridge volunteers helping at kids cart 2022" border="0" height="229" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/d450ca8c6a/IMG_9885.jpg" style="height: 229px; width: 306px;" title="Hawk Ridge volunteers helping at kids cart 2022" vspace="0" width="306" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">This was another amazing year for our volunteer program! We had 20 new volunteers this year that joined our dedicated group of volunteers. Hawk Ridge volunteers gave over 1400 hours at Hawk Ridge, which is about 300 more hours than last year. Every year we have the privilege of working with volunteers and each year we gain new volunteers that enhance the experience for visitors to Hawk Ridge, as well as volunteers having an amazing experience themselves! While this season may have come to a close, we look forward to seeing our volunteers return next year as well as welcoming new volunteers!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="Hawk Ridge hats embroidered by Peter" border="0" height="150" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/d450ca8c6a/unnamed%20(10).jpg" style="height: 150px; width: 200px;" title="Hawk Ridge hats embroidered by Peter" vspace="0" width="200" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">One of our new volunteers this season was Peter Mundale, who visited Hawk Ridge as a kid 10 years ago and is now a college student at Univ. of MN Duluth. He also shared his talent of embroidering favorite birds for Hawk Ridge staff on their hats! Peter shared this below about his experience volunteering with Hawk Ridge. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><img align="left" alt="Hawk Ridge Volunteer Peter Mundale 2012 to 2022 with Saw-whet Owl 2" border="0" height="184" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/d450ca8c6a/Hawk%20Ridge%20Volunteer%20Peter%20Mundale%202012%20to%202022%20with%20Saw-whet%20Owl%20%202.jpg" style="height: 184px; width: 306px;" title="Hawk Ridge Volunteer Peter Mundale 2012 to 2022 with Saw-whet Owl 2" vspace="0" width="306" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">"My experience this season as a Hawk Ridge Volunteer was incredible! I have been fascinated by birds, wildlife, and the outdoors for my entire life. My parents decided to take advantage of this fascination and bring my sister and me to this new place they heard of called Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory. For four years we came up to Hawk Ridge to learn about the migration, and on one of our trips, we went to one of the Evening Owl Programs. At the program, we learned all about Owls, and I got the incredible experience to release a Northern Saw-whet Owl! Ten years later I started my first year at UMD, and now I was the one teaching people about migration as a Volunteer! It was an amazing experience to work alongside so many incredible people and continue to learn more and more! I also got the opportunity to recreate my picture with the Saw-whet as I learned about the research being done with Owls and as I can say now is where my future career will be. I can't wait for next season!"</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">We're grateful to all the Hawk Ridge volunteers! Thank you! </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Val Slocum</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Volunteer Coordinator</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><u><span style="font-family: verdana;">Fall Raffle at the Ridge</span></u></b></p><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="Northern Harrier Oct 22" border="0" height="225" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/d450ca8c6a/unnamed%20(18).jpg" style="height: 225px; width: 306px;" title="Northern Harrier Oct 22" vspace="0" width="306" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">We held our annual fall raffle at Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve this October with drawing on October 31st. Congratulations to the following raffle winners: </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">1) Vortex Diamondback HD 8x42 Binoculars (winner: Tony Drollinger, Stillwater, MN)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">2) Guided Winter Birding Daytrip for 2 with Frank Nicoletti (winner: Gary Way, Minneapolis, MN)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">3) $100 Gift Certificate for Merchandise from the Hawk Ridge gift shop (winner: LeeAnne Byers, Grantsburg, WI). Thank you to all that purchased tickets in support of our bird research and education programs at Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory! </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><u><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #f8f5f2;"><b><u><span style="font-family: verdana;">Hawk Ridge 50th Anniversary Event & Festival Weekend- THANK YOU! </span></u></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="Greysolon 50th" border="0" height="229" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/f445a72e51/Greysolon%2050th.jpg" style="height: 229px; width: 306px;" title="Greysolon 50th" vspace="0" width="306" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">We celebrated the 50th Anniversary of Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve and 50 years of raptor research & education 9/22-9/25/22. Thank you to all those that joined us and helped make it a special event. We kicked off the event with a wonderful celebration of past, present, and future at the beautiful Greysolon Ballroom with over 200 in attendance! On Friday evening, we enjoyed social and research poster session at the Great Lakes Aquarium with 18 posters shared by presenters on bird research in conjunction with Hawk Ridge. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="Janelle Long - Bob Rosenfield - Dave and Sarah Grosshuesch" border="0" height="229" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/f445a72e51/Janelle%20Long%20-%20Bob%20Rosenfield%20-%20Dave%20and%20Sarah%20Grosshuesch.jpg" style="height: 229px; width: 306px;" title="Janelle Long - Bob Rosenfield - Dave and Sarah Grosshuesch" vspace="0" width="306" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">On Saturday evening, Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory held their annual meeting at the University of MN Duluth followed by a speaker panel on 50 years of Hawk Ridge Research. Dr. Robert Rosenfield was also presented with the Hawk Ridge Lifetime Achievement Award. Field trips and workshops were held throughout the weekend at local birding hotspots, as well as Hawk Ridge. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="50th Anniversary Festival" border="0" height="229" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/f445a72e51/50th%20Anniversary%20Festival.jpg" style="height: 229px; width: 306px;" title="50th Anniversary Festival" vspace="0" width="306" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;">The festival weekend ended on an extra high note on Sunday with great weather, a fantastic bird migration, and Hawk Ridge friends to enjoy it with from near and far! You can also view our 50th anniversary video <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lyicHaPF3Xo" id="" target="_blank">HERE </a>today and we</span> will continue to share more from the 50th event <a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/event/hawk-ridge-50th-celebration-event-sept-22-25-2022/" target="_blank">HERE</a>. A big thank you to all of our sponsors, speakers, staff, field trip/workshop leaders, vendors, volunteers, participants, and supporters! </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img align="middle" alt="50th Sponsors Web" border="0" height="243" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/f445a72e51/50th%20Sponsors%20Web.jpg" style="height: 243px; width: 400px;" title="50th Sponsors Web" vspace="0" width="400" /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #f8f5f2;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><img align="right" alt="Jessy and Great Horned Owl" border="0" height="200" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/f14f48d605/Jessy%20and%20Great%20Horned%20Owl.JPG" style="height: 200px; width: 150px;" title="Jessy and Great Horned Owl" vspace="0" width="150" /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">P.S. Calling all Hawk Ridge Alumni - Where are you now? </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">As we celebrate 50 years, we would love to hear from you! Please send an update to Janelle at jlong@hawkridge.org on what year you were involved & position, photo of you at Hawk Ridge (or current), and what you're doing now! </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><u><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><u><span style="font-family: verdana;">Thank You for Your Support!</span></u></b></p><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory thanks all of our supporters. We appreciate you! As a nonprofit organization, we are primarily funded by individual gifts to put our bird migration research and education programs in action. Below are some of the ways you can help us keep sharing the magic of the bird migration!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="K Gilbertson J Long J Sanders Mt Royal Round Up Oct 2022" border="0" height="230" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/d450ca8c6a/K%20Gilbertson%20J%20Long%20J%20Sanders%20Mt%20Royal%20Round%20Up%20Oct%202022.jpeg" style="height: 230px; width: 306px;" title="K Gilbertson J Long J Sanders Mt Royal Round Up Oct 2022" vspace="0" width="306" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><b><u>Community Round-Up</u></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Thank you to Mount Royal Foods and Bent Paddle for their community round-up programs for Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory. We appreciate the support and all those that rounded up this fall! Nearly $4500 was raised towards our bird research & education programs! </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 14.2667px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><b><u>Support Hawk Ridge by Shopping!</u></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><img align="right" alt="50th design platform" border="0" height="306" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/d450ca8c6a/50th%20design%20platform.JPG" style="height: 306px; width: 306px;" title="50th design platform" vspace="0" width="306" /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;">If you missed shopping at our Hawk Ridge Gift Shop trailer this fall, you can still purchase some of our merchandise online</span> <a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/support/hawk-ridge-merchandise/" id="" target="_blank">HERE</a>. Our featured artist is Emma Regnier, who completed both the Bird Banding & Bird Migration Count Research Traineeships at Hawk Ridge in 2020 & 2021. She created 3 beautiful designs, including the popular "50th Anniversary" design pictured here. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">If you like to shop on Amazon, we'd also super appreciate you adding Hawk Ridge as a charity you support via </span><b><a href="https://smile.amazon.com/gp/chpf/homepage?orig=%2F" target="_blank"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Amazon Smile</span></a>. </b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory receives a donation of 0.5% of eligible purchases!</span>.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><b><u>Become A Member Today!</u></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><img align="right" alt="EE Trainee Fran with bird release 2" border="0" height="200" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/340754c94a/EE%20Trainee%20Fran%20with%20bird%20release%202.JPG" style="height: 200px; width: 150px;" title="EE Trainee Fran with bird release 2" vspace="0" width="150" /><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">If you're already a member of Hawk Ridge, we sincerely appreciate your support! THANK YOU! If you're not a member and have enjoyed your experience with Hawk Ridge, we invite you to renew or join as a Hawk Ridge member today! Our memberships and donations help drive our bird conservation research and education programs. You can check out our exciting membership benefits and<a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/support/membership/" target="_blank"> <b>join or renew online HERE!</b></a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"> </span></p><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><u><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Simply Donate</span></span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">You can always simply donate online by clicking <a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/support/donate/" target="_blank">HERE</a> or by mailing a check made out to Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory, P.O. Box 3006, Duluth, MN 55803.<br /></span></p></div></div></div></div><h3 style="border-color: black; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 6px; padding: 0px; width: 614px;"></h3><div style="border-color: black; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; clear: both; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; width: 614px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="http://www.hawkridge.org/support/donate/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #386eff;"></span></a><a href="http://www.hawkridge.org/support/donate/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #386eff;"></span></a><span style="font-size: small;">Thank you again for your wonderful gift of support! Hope to connect with you soon! <br /></span></span><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br />Sincerely,<br /><br />Janelle Long<br />Executive Director<br />Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory<br /><br />Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory<br />P.O. Box 3006<br />Duluth, MN 55803-3006<br />Call: 218-428-6209<br />Contact: mail@hawkridge.org<br />Visit: www.hawkridge.org<br />501(c)3 Non-Profit Organization<br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Federal Tax ID 76-0746366</span></span></p></div>Hawk Ridge Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03346381697590328711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5922014117958172534.post-20144026450451678122022-11-11T12:31:00.001-06:002022-11-11T12:31:36.988-06:00Hawk Ridge News - October 2022<p> <img align="none" alt="HRBO_DM_LogoCMYK 2" border="0" height="124" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/16fa9417c4/HRBO_DM_LogoCMYK%202.jpg" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; height: 124px; width: 306px;" title="HRBO_DM_LogoCMYK 2" vspace="0" width="306" /></p><div style="border-color: black; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; clear: both; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; width: 614px;"><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </p></div><h3 style="border-color: black; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 6px; padding: 0px; width: 614px;"></h3><div style="border-color: black; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; clear: both; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; width: 614px;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Dear Hawk Ridge Friends,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="LEOW by L Rolls" border="0" height="300" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/340754c94a/LEOW%20by%20L%20Rolls.jpg" style="height: 300px; width: 300px;" title="LEOW by L Rolls" vspace="0" width="300" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">O for October and Owls! The first Long-eared Owl banded (pictured here) for the season kicked off the month at midnight on October 1st! This is a fantastic month for fall colors and larger raptors starting to move through in larger numbers (Northern Goshawks - as featured in the beautiful 50th anniversary original painting in our online auction closing Sun. 10/8 @8pm CDT, Red-tailed Hawks, Rough-legged Hawks, Bald Eagles, and Golden Eagles). It's also the month we highlight our evening owl programs (see below for how to sign up) and our owl banding research. We are soaking up everything October has to bring this month and hope you can soak it up with us too at the Ridge! Please read below for our September highlights and other events. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><u><span style="font-family: verdana;">Bid Today! Online Auction Closes Sun. 10/9 8pm CDT</span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/event/hawk-ridge-50th-celebration-event-sept-22-25-2022/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img align="right" alt="Growing_Adam_Swanson" border="0" height="225" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/f445a72e51/Growing_Adam_Swanson.jpg" style="height: 225px; width: 306px;" title="Growing_Adam_Swanson" vspace="0" width="306" /></span></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;">As part of our Hawk Ridge 50th Anniversary Celebration banquet held on Thursday 9/22/22 at the Greysolon Ballroom, a long time friend/supporter of Hawk Ridge and well-known Minnesota Artist Adam Swanson did a special live paint fundraiser for Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory. He painted this beautiful Northern Goshawk, the iconic bird of Hawk Ridge, in tribute and celebration of 50 years of raptor research and education. Titled "Growing", this original painting is now complete and can be yours! The online auction for this painting will close on Sun. 10/9 at 8pm CDT. Click <a href="https://app.galabid.com/hawkridgelivepaint" id="" target="_blank">HERE</a> </span>to register and bid or copy/paste link: <span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://galabid.com/hawkridgelivepaint" target="_blank">galabid.com/hawkridgelivepaint</a></span>! All proceeds from the auction of this beautiful piece will go to support the bird conservation efforts of Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><u><span style="font-family: verdana;">October Evening Owl Programs</span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><u><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><img align="right" alt="Emily Pavlovic Saw-whet 2020" border="0" height="333" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/d736626346/Emily%20Pavlovic%20Saw-whet%202020.jpg" style="height: 333px; width: 250px;" title="Emily Pavlovic Saw-whet 2020" vspace="0" width="250" /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-52da141b-7fff-e91a-975a-49d5ab79e6b6"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Whoo doesn’t like owls? From large to small, seasonal travelers, and hardy residents, Minnesota hosts a fascinating diversity of owls, with some crazy habits, and some hauntingly beautiful sounds in the night. Join us this fall to learn about the Hawk Ridge owl banding research through one of our evening owl programs with potential of seeing live owl(s). Pre-registration is required and info on how to register for one of the Saturday evening owl programs or a small group owl program is below. </span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><u>Saturday evening owl program</u></b>s at Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve outdoor education area (max 40 participants): Oct. 8th (PROGRAM IS FULL) & Oct. 22nd at 8pm; COST: $10/ticket ($5/member). Click <a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/education-programs/for-visitors/owlprogramsvisitors/" target="_blank">HERE</a> to register. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><u>Small group owl programs</u></b> outdoors at Hawk Ridge (max 8 participants) to see our owl research in action. Offered through Oct. 31 (Tues. or Thurs-Sat. evenings with date/time to be arranged). COST: $50/person ($40/member). Click <a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/small-group-owl-programs2022/" target="_blank">HERE</a> for more information on these programs or by sending an email to owls@hawkridge.org</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><u><span style="font-family: verdana;">September Bird Migration Count Summary</span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><u><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></u></b></p><img align="right" alt="ssha2" border="0" height="204" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/340754c94a/ssha2.jpg" style="height: 204px; width: 306px;" title="ssha2" vspace="0" width="306" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">The 51st consecutive fall migration count season at Hawk Ridge continued into September with plenty of birds! A total of 288 count hours over 30 consecutive days of counts were logged throughout the month. A total of 51,484 migrant raptors of 15 species and 57 migrant non-raptor species were tallied from the observation platform between 1 and 30 September. The month began with modest raptor movement, dominated mostly by Sharp-shinned Hawks despite a mix of light southern and easterly winds in the first days. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="Broad-winged Hawk Migrating at Hawk Ridge" border="0" height="198" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/340754c94a/Broad-winged%20Hawk%20Migrating%20at%20Hawk%20Ridge.JPG" style="height: 198px; width: 306px;" title="Broad-winged Hawk Migrating at Hawk Ridge" vspace="0" width="306" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Winds shifted to the north following the first week and the first larger groups of migrant Broad-winged Hawks began appearing down the lakeshore (9/11: 1150, 9:13: 7196). The following week, a second push of Broad-wings funneled down the ridge, with 69% of the entire season total passing over the course of four days (9/19: 1514, 9/20: 4440, 9/21: 9108, 9/22: 12,020). On 9/21, brief rainstorms halted the massive kettles working their way down the lakeshore and had hundreds of the small buteos erratically cutting back and forth between the ridge and water, attempting to find thermals. This momentarily provided a few hours of nearly eye-level views of hundreds of Broad-wings to those along the roadway as they furiously flapped their way to avoid the rain in search of lift to continue southward. The month ended with 39,282 Broad-winged Hawks which sits well above the current 10-year average (28,908). </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="GOEA2" border="0" height="219" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/340754c94a/GOEA2.jpg" style="height: 219px; width: 306px;" title="GOEA2" vspace="0" width="306" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">While Broad-wings often steal the show in September, that same run of large flights brought four Swainson’s Hawks down the ridge as they mixed in with the large kettles. These raptors of open grasslands breed in the western part of the state, and to spot several during migration is always a welcomed treat! The second half the month also brought more interesting migrants, as the first (adult) Golden Eagle of the fall moved down the lake shore on 9/26 and first Red-shouldered Hawk of the season passed on 9/27 while mixing in with Broad-winged Hawks. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="PEFA" border="0" height="219" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/340754c94a/PEFA.jpg" style="height: 219px; width: 306px;" title="PEFA" vspace="0" width="306" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;">Osprey numbers were a bit low this month (94) – the first September to not break the “100” mark since 1985. It was also the first single-digit Northern Goshawk September (6) since 2013 (also 6). Peregrine Falcons also seem to be a bit late this year, with only 42 passing over the month. American Kestrels nearly reached the four-digit mark over the month (948), which is consistent with other good past monthly totals. </span>As expected, Sharp-shinned Hawks finished out the month as the second-highest raptor migrant (8535), with other species (Northern Harrier, Bald Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk, Cooper’s Hawk) monthly totals remaining overall consistent with the past averages on the ridge. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="American Robin by J Richardson" border="0" height="173" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/340754c94a/American%20Robin%20by%20J%20Richardson.jpg" style="height: 173px; width: 306px;" title="American Robin by J Richardson" vspace="0" width="306" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">The non-raptor migration over September was dominated by Blue Jays as 57,958 migrants were logged during several strong morning flights down the lakeshore over the month (9/10: 5611, 9/11: 5009, 9/12/: 6615, 9/13: 4528, 9/19: 4515, 9/20: 6883). Cedar Waxwings (9733) comprised the second-highest total. Unidentified warbler species (5144) were next with 12 total identified warbler species being documented as well, including the most abundant Yellow-rumped Warbler (4286). Groups of migrant American Robin (1720) and Purple Finch (1020) also consistently moved down the ridge. A large group of migrant Common Terns (106) moved down the lakeshore early on the morning of 9/20. The last of the Common Nighthawks (24) moved through during the first weeks of the month, with a single late migrant being spotted on 9/21. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="Rusty Blackbirds by J Richardson" border="0" height="204" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/340754c94a/Rusty%20Blackbirds%20by%20J%20Richardson.jpg" style="height: 204px; width: 306px;" title="Rusty Blackbirds by J Richardson" vspace="0" width="306" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">While some of the last migrants of some species were documented, several of the first for others were as well. Blackbird migration gained momentum with a mix of Rusty Blackbirds (1327), Common Grackles (1267), Red-winged Blackbirds (533), and unidentified blackbird species (392). Groups of Sandhill Cranes (409) began moving down the lake, their loud resonating calls often being heard first before being seen, with hundreds passing in a single day at times (9/13: 134 and 9/27: 110). </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="White-throated Sparrow (photo by Karl Bardon)" border="0" height="203" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/340754c94a/White-throated%20Sparrow%20(photo%20by%20Karl%20Bardon).jpg" style="height: 203px; width: 306px;" title="White-throated Sparrow (photo by Karl Bardon)" vspace="0" width="306" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Northern migrants continued to arrive and move through as the first American Pipits (764) passed on 9/11 and continued through the month, while the first Lapland Longspurs (13) and White-crowned Sparrow (3) both showed up on 9/22, and Dark-eyed Juncos (15) on 9/25. An early Snow Goose (36) mixed in with a group of Canada Geese on 9/10, with several more passing later into the month. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="Ridge Rainbow Sept 22 by J Cosentino" border="0" height="230" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/340754c94a/Ridge%20Rainbow%20Sept%2022%20by%20J%20Cosentino.jpg" style="height: 230px; width: 306px;" title="Ridge Rainbow Sept 22 by J Cosentino" vspace="0" width="306" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Fall migration is in full swing up here on Hawk Ridge. Make sure to follow our count in real-time on both <a href="https://dunkadoo.org/explore/hawk-ridge-bird-observatory/migration-count-fall-2022" target="_blank">Dunkadoo.org</a> and <a href="https://hawkcount.org/month_summary.php?rsite=288" target="_blank">Hawkcount.org</a> to see what birds we are counting each day as they migrate south. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Jess Cosentino </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Fall Count Director</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><u><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><u><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><u><span style="font-family: verdana;">September Raptor Banding Summary</span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><u><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></u></b></p><img align="right" alt="Broad-winged Hawk Sept 22 F Nicoletti" border="0" height="150" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/340754c94a/Broad-winged%20Hawk%20Sept%2022%20F%20Nicoletti.jpg" style="height: 150px; width: 200px;" title="Broad-winged Hawk Sept 22 F Nicoletti" vspace="0" width="200" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">September numbers of raptors were down nearly half the average with warmer temperatures earlier on, easterly winds keeping the flight high and overall lower than normal numbers except for Broad-winged Hawks which we don’t normally catch many. One was banded in September.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Significantly down were Sharp-shinned Hawks, especially hatch-years, Red-tailed Hawks, Merlins and other migrants. It’s unclear yet, but avian flu may have had played a role in the lower numbers. There was a large outbreak which occurred this spring into late summer. Reports from authorities reported high numbers especially in the Midwest. We ran 3 banding stations in September. One of the highlights were some Peregrine Falcons, including one previously banded Peregrine (in photo with trainee, Kara), likely from the North Shore this year.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><img align="left" alt="Adult PEFA courtesy F Nicoletti 2" border="0" height="200" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/340754c94a/Adult%20PEFA%20courtesy%20F%20Nicoletti%202.jpg" style="height: 200px; width: 150px;" title="Adult PEFA courtesy F Nicoletti 2" vspace="0" width="150" /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> <img align="none" alt="Adult PEFA F Nicoletti 2" border="0" height="188" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/340754c94a/Adult%20PEFA%20F%20Nicoletti%202.jpg" style="height: 188px; width: 250px;" title="Adult PEFA F Nicoletti 2" vspace="0" width="250" /> <img align="none" alt="Banding Trainee Kara Beer PEFA Sept 22" border="0" height="200" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/340754c94a/Banding%20Trainee%20Kara%20Beer%20PEFA%20Sept%2022.jpg" style="height: 200px; width: 150px;" title="Banding Trainee Kara Beer PEFA Sept 22" vspace="0" width="150" /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Hawk Ridge and Moose Valley were covered consistently with myself and banding trainees running the ridge and last season’s trainee Maggie Brown running the valley. I would like to thank Hannah Toutonghi, Halle Lambeau, Miranda Durbin, Allie Pesano and David Alexander for helping out as well. We also had several groups learning about our banding research, including a researcher from Guatemala who runs a banding station as part of MoSI project (monitoring winter survival of migratory birds), as well as students from University of Minnesota Duluth led by graduate student and former Hawk Ridge trainee, Hannah Toutonghi. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><img align="left" alt="Banding Trainees and Visitors Marcial and Eric Sept 22 F Nicoletti" border="0" height="188" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/340754c94a/Banding%20Trainees%20and%20Visitors%20Marcial%20and%20Eric%20Sept%2022%20F%20Nicoletti.jpg" style="height: 188px; width: 250px;" title="Banding Trainees and Visitors Marcial and Eric Sept 22 F Nicoletti" vspace="0" width="250" /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><img align="none" alt="Frank and UMD students Sept 22" border="0" height="188" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/340754c94a/Frank%20and%20UMD%20students%20Sept%2022.jpg" style="height: 188px; width: 250px;" title="Frank and UMD students Sept 22" vspace="0" width="250" /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="Richardsons Merlin Sept 22 F Nicoletti" border="0" height="230" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/340754c94a/Richardsons%20Merlin%20Sept%2022%20F%20Nicoletti.jpg" style="height: 230px; width: 306px;" title="Richardsons Merlin Sept 22 F Nicoletti" vspace="0" width="306" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">The following are the numbers of diurnal raptor banded from the three stations during September: </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Northern Harrier-12 </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Sharp-shinned Hawk-785 </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Cooper’s Hawk-12 </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Northern Goshawk-2 </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Broad-winged Hawk-1 </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Red-tailed Hawk-15 </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">American Kestrel-37 </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Merlin-38 </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Peregrine Falcon-4 </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Total-906</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Frank Nicoletti, Banding Director</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Maggie Brown, Bander</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Banding Trainees (Kara Beer, Hannah Landwerlen, Jadzia Rodriguez)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><u><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></u></b></p><img align="right" alt="Eastern Screech Owl Back for 5th Fall - Sept 22 by L Rolls 2" border="0" height="200" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/340754c94a/Eastern%20Screech%20Owl%20Back%20for%205th%20Fall%20%20-%20Sept%2022%20by%20L%20Rolls%202.jpg" style="height: 200px; width: 200px;" title="Eastern Screech Owl Back for 5th Fall - Sept 22 by L Rolls 2" vspace="0" width="200" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><u><span style="font-family: verdana;">September Owl Banding Summary</span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><u><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">The 2022 Owl Banding season was off to a slow start this year. Although our first day of opening was September 15th, inclement weather and wind in the first week delayed banding. Regardless, Hawk Ridge’s famous Eastern Screech Owl made its return to the station right on time for its 5th season in a row.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Some other exciting captures include our first Barred Owl of the season. This individual</span></p><img align="right" alt="Barred Owl by L Rolls" border="0" height="150" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/340754c94a/Barred%20Owl%20by%20L%20Rolls.jpg" style="height: 150px; width: 200px;" title="Barred Owl by L Rolls" vspace="0" width="200" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> was aged as a hatch year. Barred Owls are local breeders in Duluth and have an expansive range across the U.S. Although they are non-migratory they will disperse most years especially juveniles. We look forward to seeing more of these resident owls throughout the season.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Migration began to pick up September 25th, with our first big push of 53 Northern Saw</span></p><img align="right" alt="NSOW_Closeup" border="0" height="133" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/340754c94a/NSOW_Closeup.jpg" style="height: 133px; width: 200px;" title="NSOW_Closeup" vspace="0" width="200" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">-whets. The following night we reached our first hundred owl night of the season with a total of 138 owls. Our season total so far is 282, which includes 20 recaptures. Numbers are averaging the same as last year so we are hopeful it will be a steady season as Saw-Whet migration picks up in October. Our captures have primarily been adults with 197 banded compared to 85 hatch year birds banded. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="Long-eared Owl first of season Oct 1 by L Rolls 2" border="0" height="152" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/340754c94a/Long-eared%20Owl%20first%20of%20season%20Oct%201%20by%20L%20Rolls%202.jpg" style="height: 152px; width: 175px;" title="Long-eared Owl first of season Oct 1 by L Rolls 2" vspace="0" width="175" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">The station wrapped up the month of September with our first Long-eared Owl of the season arriving at midnight marking the 1st day of October. This individual was aged as an adult (ASY) female. Our crew is excited to see what this season holds and can’t wait to bring you the next migration update!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Lesley Rolls</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Fall Owl Bander</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><u><span style="font-family: verdana;">Passerine Banding Summary</span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><u><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></u></b></p><img align="right" alt="American Redstart by Laura Erickson" border="0" height="222" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/340754c94a/American%20Redstart%20by%20Laura%20Erickson.jpg" style="height: 222px; width: 306px;" title="American Redstart by Laura Erickson" vspace="0" width="306" /><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">The Fall Passerine Banding season has been going well. In the time period from August 15-September a total of approximately 937 birds were banded representing 55 species. We also recaptured 48 previously banded birds. American Redstarts were by far the most numerous species of bird with 174 caught and banded. Here are the rest of the 10 ten species: 2: Magnolia Warblers- 78, 3:Nashville Warblers- 64, 4: Tennessee Warblers- 55, 5: Swainson’s Thrushes- 50, 6: Red-eyed Vireos- 38, 7: Chestnut-sided Warblers- 35, 8: Least Flycatchers- 29, 9: White-throated Sparrows- 28, 10: Yellow-bellied Flycatchers and Common Yellowthroats tied for tenth position with- 23. A truly amazing assortment of birds!</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></p><img align="right" alt="Black-billed Cuckoo " border="0" height="267" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/340754c94a/Black-billed%20Cuckoo%20.jpg" style="height: 267px; width: 200px;" title="Black-billed Cuckoo " vspace="0" width="200" /><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Some highlights included an additional species of Flycatcher- the Eastern Wood Peewee- more frequently hear than caught at Hawk Ridge. We also caught not one, but two Black-billed Cuckoos. Beautiful long tailed, zygodactyl, green-eyed wonders! It was also a great year for Rose-breasted Grosbeaks- we banded more than usual this year at 21! We missed the Cape May Warbler this year- we usually have one or two of those, but not this year. Interesting, since they are Spruce budworm specialists that should be having large numbers to the north in the Lake and Cook county budworm outbreak. We totaled 22 species of warblers so far- though we are unlikely to see any other new species of warblers at this point. 26-28 species is about the maximum we can get- so not bad. Stay tuned for the grand finale with Octobers numbers added in!</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Margie Menzies</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Education Director/Passerine Bander</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><u><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><u><span style="font-family: verdana;">September Education Summary</span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><u><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></u></b></p><img align="right" alt="Sarah Wood with SSHA by S Palacheck 9-22" border="0" height="359" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/340754c94a/Sarah%20Wood%20with%20SSHA%20by%20S%20Palacheck%209-22.jpg" style="height: 359px; width: 200px;" title="Sarah Wood with SSHA by S Palacheck 9-22" vspace="0" width="200" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Wow! Another September has absolutely flown by as it usually seems to do, full of training for new staff and getting the Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve main overlook off and running for another amazing season of watching fall migration happen right before our eyes. In addition to all of the wonderful bird observations, a whopping total of 69 scheduled programs took place through the month which included 6 private group programs, 5 small group owl programs, 9 college groups, 9 different school groups & most with multiple programs and classes, and 36 public programs were scheduled through the weekends of September, including the 50th anniversary/Hawk Weekend Festival events, 2 virtual education events for the Urban Bird Collective and the MN DNR, and 3 Outreach events. Whew! There was a lot going on this month! </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="Sara bird release Sept 22" border="0" height="222" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/340754c94a/Sara%20bird%20release%20Sept%2022.jpg" style="height: 222px; width: 306px;" title="Sara bird release Sept 22" vspace="0" width="306" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Some of the highlights from the month were 2 Viking Cruise Ship passenger visits to Hawk Ridge, a visit from a Red Hill Birding tour group, which received a nice cross-section of many of the wonderful research and education program options at Hawk Ridge. Hawk Ridge partnered with the Duluth Dark Skies Celebration and Todd Burlet presented on importance of dark skies for evening migrants for visitors on Sept. 17, in addition to hosting an informational table. Margie collaborated with the National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR) to offer an inclusivity training in August and an Accessible Birding Event on Barker’s Island on Sept. 20th. We were also able to showcase Hawk Ridge for the Natural Areas Conference, and hosted a Nature Conservancy Legacy Group as well. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="Education Staff Daniel Jake Sara by S DePew" border="0" height="187" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/340754c94a/Education%20Staff%20Daniel%20Jake%20Sara%20by%20S%20DePew.jpeg" style="height: 187px; width: 250px;" title="Education Staff Daniel Jake Sara by S DePew" vspace="0" width="250" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">More programs are on the calendar for October! You can schedule a small group owl program (min 4, max of 8) on Tues, Thurs. Fri. and Sat. through October 31, so check in with owls@hawkridge.org for possibilities. There are 2 public owl programs (Oct. 8 is FULL, and the second Oct. 22). Not to mention the usual wonderful public program offerings for the weekends at the Ridge and migration interpretation daily. Something for everyone, so come on out and participate and see what’s flying by as well!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Margie Menzies</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Education Director</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><u><span style="font-family: verdana;">September Volunteer Highlights</span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><u><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></u></b></p><img align="right" alt="Volunteer Tania releasing Sharpie Sept 22 2" border="0" height="276" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/340754c94a/Volunteer%20Tania%20releasing%20Sharpie%20Sept%2022%202.jpg" style="height: 276px; width: 200px;" title="Volunteer Tania releasing Sharpie Sept 22 2" vspace="0" width="200" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Another amazing migration season means another season of amazing volunteers! Hawk Ridge is an incredibly special place and that attracts many incredible people that want to volunteer and be a part of it. This year we have 20 amazing new volunteers! One of our new volunteers is Tania from Arkansas who decided that she would spend September at Hawk Ridge volunteering. Tania was at Hawk Ridge volunteering every single day from open to close helping out wherever she could and while she has gone back home, she is already planning on returning next year! While not everyone is able to be at Hawk Ridge every day, we are so appreciative of the time that volunteers give to Hawk Ridge and those that return each year like Gail and Jeanne who started coming up to Hawk Ridge in 1973 and have pretty much been volunteering ever since!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Val Slocum</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Volunteer Coordinator</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><u><span style="font-family: verdana;">Fall Raffle at the Ridge</span></u></b></p><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="Frank Winter " border="0" height="269" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/f445a72e51/Frank%20Winter%20.jpg" style="height: 269px; width: 175px;" title="Frank Winter " vspace="0" width="175" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">During the month of October, we will be holding our annual fall raffle at Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve. Tickets are $5 each and you can enter into the raffle drawing for any of the 3 prizes. The prizes are 1) Vortex Diamondback HD 8x42 Binoculars; 2) Guided Winter Birding Daytrip for 2 with Frank Nicoletti; and 3) $100 Gift Certificate for Merchandise from the Hawk Ridge gift shop. The drawing will be held on Monday, October 31st at 1pm at the Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve main overlook. You do NOT have to be present to win and must be 18 or older to purchase raffle tickets. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><u><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><u>Plan Your Visit to Hawk Ridge</u> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">VISIT US 9AM-4PM DAILY SEPT 1 - OCT. 31ST!</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><img align="right" alt="Staff fall 2022" border="0" height="230" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/d736626346/Staff%20fall%202022.jpg" style="height: 230px; width: 306px;" title="Staff fall 2022" vspace="0" width="306" /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><u><span style="font-family: verdana;">Visitor Info for Viewing the Fall Bird Migration</span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Join us for another fantastic fall bird migration season at Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory! If you are planning to visit, please read our guidelines on our <a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/plan-your-visit/visitors-guide/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Plan Your Visit</span></a> page and they will also be posted at the Hawk Ridge main overlook.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/plan-your-visit/visitors-guide/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Visitors Guide</span></a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/plan-your-visit/lodging/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Lodging</span></span></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/plan-your-visit/directions/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Directions</span></a> <i>(</i><i>Please note for those that typically drive to Hawk Ridge from Jean Duluth Rd, the intersection of Jean Duluth/Snively/Glenwood is closed until mid-October. Hawk Ridge on East Skyline Pkwy is still accessible coming up the hill on Glenwood St or from Seven Bridges Rd or Maxwell Rd)</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/about-us/staff/" target="_blank">Meet the Fall 2022 Staff!</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/events/calendar/" target="_blank">Program Calendar</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #f8f5f2;"><b><u><span style="font-family: verdana;">Hawk Ridge 50th Anniversary Event & Festival Weekend- THANK YOU! </span></u></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="Greysolon 50th" border="0" height="229" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/f445a72e51/Greysolon%2050th.jpg" style="height: 229px; width: 306px;" title="Greysolon 50th" vspace="0" width="306" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">We celebrated the 50th Anniversary of Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve and 50 years of raptor research & education 9/22-9/25/22. Thank you to all those that joined us and helped make it a special event. We kicked off the event with a wonderful celebration of past, present, and future at the beautiful Greysolon Ballroom with over 200 in attendance! On Friday evening, we enjoyed social and research poster session at the Great Lakes Aquarium with 18 posters shared by presenters on bird research in conjunction with Hawk Ridge. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="Janelle Long - Bob Rosenfield - Dave and Sarah Grosshuesch" border="0" height="229" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/f445a72e51/Janelle%20Long%20-%20Bob%20Rosenfield%20-%20Dave%20and%20Sarah%20Grosshuesch.jpg" style="height: 229px; width: 306px;" title="Janelle Long - Bob Rosenfield - Dave and Sarah Grosshuesch" vspace="0" width="306" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">On Saturday evening, Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory held their annual meeting at the University of MN Duluth followed by a speaker panel on 50 years of Hawk Ridge Research. Dr. Robert Rosenfield was also presented with the Hawk Ridge Lifetime Achievement Award. Field trips and workshops were held throughout the weekend at local birding hotspots, as well as Hawk Ridge. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="50th Anniversary Festival" border="0" height="229" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/f445a72e51/50th%20Anniversary%20Festival.jpg" style="height: 229px; width: 306px;" title="50th Anniversary Festival" vspace="0" width="306" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">The festival weekend ended on an extra high note on Sunday with great weather, a fantastic bird migration, and Hawk Ridge friends to enjoy it with from near and far! We will share a more extensive summary soon, as well as online album, video links, posters, etc. from the event on our website <a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/event/hawk-ridge-50th-celebration-event-sept-22-25-2022/" target="_blank">HERE</a>. A big thank you to all of our sponsors, speakers, staff, field trip/workshop leaders, vendors, volunteers, participants, and supporters! </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img align="middle" alt="50th Sponsors Web" border="0" height="243" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/f445a72e51/50th%20Sponsors%20Web.jpg" style="height: 243px; width: 400px;" title="50th Sponsors Web" vspace="0" width="400" /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #f8f5f2;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><img align="right" alt="Jessy and Great Horned Owl" border="0" height="200" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/f14f48d605/Jessy%20and%20Great%20Horned%20Owl.JPG" style="height: 200px; width: 150px;" title="Jessy and Great Horned Owl" vspace="0" width="150" /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">P.S. Calling all Hawk Ridge Alumni - Where are you now? </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">As we celebrate 50 years, we would love to hear from you! Please send an update to Janelle at jlong@hawkridge.org on what year you were involved & position, photo of you at Hawk Ridge (or current), and what you're doing now! </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><u><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><u><span style="font-family: verdana;">Thank You for Your Support!</span></u></b></p><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory thanks all of our supporters. We appreciate you! As a nonprofit organization, we are primarily funded by individual gifts to put our bird migration research and education programs in action. Below are some of the ways you can help us keep sharing the magic of the bird migration!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="Thank you Mount Royal Round-up 2" border="0" height="200" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/340754c94a/Thank%20you%20Mount%20Royal%20Round-up%202.jpg" style="height: 200px; width: 200px;" title="Thank you Mount Royal Round-up 2" vspace="0" width="200" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><b><u>Community Round-Up for Hawk Ridge</u></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Thank you to Mount Royal Foods and all that shopped & rounded up there for Hawk Ridge in September. Over $3500 was raised towards our bird research & education programs! The next community round-up will take place at Bent Paddle Brewing Co. at their taproom October 16-31st! </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 14.2667px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><b><u>Support Hawk Ridge by Shopping!</u></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><img align="right" alt="HRBO_50th_Anniversary_Design_color_gold_text" border="0" height="306" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/f445a72e51/HRBO_50th_Anniversary_Design_color_gold_text.jpg" style="height: 306px; width: 306px;" title="HRBO_50th_Anniversary_Design_color_gold_text" vspace="0" width="306" /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;">Be sure to visit our Hawk Ridge Gift Shop trailer at Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve now-October 31 (9am0=-4pm daily) to purchase some great Hawk Ridge gear and other bird/nature items. </span>Our featured artist is Emma Regnier, who completed both the Bird Banding & Bird Migration Count Research Traineeships at Hawk Ridge in 2020 & 2021. She created 3 beautiful designs, including the popular "50th Anniversary" design pictured here. We also have some of the designs available for purchase online <a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/support/hawk-ridge-merchandise/" id="" target="_blank">HERE</a> too! </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">If you like to shop on Amazon, we'd also super appreciate you adding Hawk Ridge as a charity you support via </span><b><a href="https://smile.amazon.com/gp/chpf/homepage?orig=%2F" target="_blank"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Amazon Smile</span></a>. </b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory receives a donation of 0.5% of eligible purchases!</span>.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><b><u>Become A Member Today!</u></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><img align="right" alt="EE Trainee Fran with bird release 2" border="0" height="200" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/340754c94a/EE%20Trainee%20Fran%20with%20bird%20release%202.JPG" style="height: 200px; width: 150px;" title="EE Trainee Fran with bird release 2" vspace="0" width="150" /><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">If you're already a member of Hawk Ridge, we sincerely appreciate your support! THANK YOU! If you're not a member and have enjoyed your experience with Hawk Ridge, we invite you to renew or join as a Hawk Ridge member today! Our memberships and donations help drive our bird conservation research and education programs. You can check out our exciting membership benefits and<a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/support/membership/" target="_blank"> <b>join or renew online HERE!</b></a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"> </span></p><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><u><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Simply Donate</span></span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">You can always simply donate online by clicking <a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/support/donate/" target="_blank">HERE</a> or by mailing a check made out to Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory, P.O. Box 3006, Duluth, MN 55803.<br /></span></p></div></div></div></div><h3 style="border-color: black; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 6px; padding: 0px; width: 614px;"></h3><div style="border-color: black; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; clear: both; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; width: 614px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="http://www.hawkridge.org/support/donate/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #386eff;"></span></a><a href="http://www.hawkridge.org/support/donate/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #386eff;"></span></a><span style="font-size: small;">Thank you again for your wonderful gift of support! Hope to connect with you this fall! <br /></span></span><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br />Sincerely,<br /><br />Janelle Long<br />Executive Director<br />Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory<br /><br />Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory<br />P.O. Box 3006<br />Duluth, MN 55803-3006<br />Call: 218-428-6209<br />Contact: mail@hawkridge.org<br />Visit: www.hawkridge.org<br />501(c)3 Non-Profit Organization<br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Federal Tax ID 76-0746366</span></p></div>Hawk Ridge Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03346381697590328711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5922014117958172534.post-63155306827289233512022-09-30T10:59:00.003-05:002022-09-30T10:59:31.661-05:00Hawk Ridge News - September 2022<p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> Dear Hawk Ridge Friends,</span></p><div style="border-color: black; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; clear: both; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; width: 614px;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/event/hawk-ridge-50th-celebration-event-sept-22-25-2022/" target="_blank"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img align="right" alt="HRBO_50th_Anniversary_Design_color_gold_text 2" border="0" height="306" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/87e80e0e10/HRBO_50th_Anniversary_Design_color_gold_text%202.jpg" style="height: 306px; width: 306px;" title="HRBO_50th_Anniversary_Design_color_gold_text 2" vspace="0" width="306" /></span></a><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Happy fall bird migration! On September 1, our naturalist staff and volunteers returned to the main overlook at Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve. We have been enjoying the start to the amazing fall migration with visitors of all ages! Approximately 22,000 birds (approx. 10% raptors & 90% other migrating birds) of 110 species have been counted so far since August 15! You can read the August raptor count and and banding summaries below. A friendly reminder to register for the Hawk Ridge 50th Anniversary Celebration (Sept. 22-25)! Note: Ticket sales for the banquet event ends in one week on September 14th and limited registration for other events. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">You can register <a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/event/hawk-ridge-50th-celebration-event-sept-22-25-2022/" target="_blank">HERE</a> today for this special event and find out more below! Thanks again for your support and we hope to see you this fall, especially at the special celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve! </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">P.S. If you missed our last e-newsletter, you can view previous versions by clicking <a href="http://hawkridgeblog.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">HERE</a>. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><u><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b style="background-color: #f8f5f2;"><a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/event/hawk-ridge-50th-celebration-event-sept-22-25-2022/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Hawk Ridge 50th Anniversary Celebration!</span></a></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b style="background-color: #f8f5f2;"><a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/event/hawk-ridge-50th-celebration-event-sept-22-25-2022/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Sept. 22-25th, 2022</span></a></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><img align="right" alt="HRBO_50th_Anniversary_Poster_Color_4x6 (1)" border="0" height="402" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/87e80e0e10/HRBO_50th_Anniversary_Poster_Color_4x6%20(1).jpg" style="height: 402px; width: 306px;" title="HRBO_50th_Anniversary_Poster_Color_4x6 (1)" vspace="0" width="306" /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b style="background-color: #f8f5f2;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">We invite you to join us for this special celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve & raptor research at Hawk Ridge! The Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve was established in 1972, which also was the first year of full-time standardized fall raptor migration count and raptor banding research. We will kick off the event Thursday evening 9/22 at the beautiful Greysolon Ballroom for a grand celebration of the past, present, and future of Hawk Ridge! The anniversary weekend fun continues (Fri. 9/23 - Sun. 9/25) with a great line up of programs, speakers, field trips, workshops, and special events. You can find all the details <a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/event/hawk-ridge-50th-celebration-event-sept-22-25-2022/" target="_blank">HERE</a>! We invite you for this very special celebration and hope to see many of our Hawk Ridge friends from then, now, and new!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #f8f5f2;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/event/hawk-ridge-50th-celebration-event-sept-22-25-2022/" target="_blank">REGISTER HERE TODAY!</a> (*last chance for guaranteed tickets to the 50th Anniversary Celebration Banquet on Thurs. 9/22 at the Greysolon Ballroom - ticket sales for that event end 9/14) </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></p><img align="right" alt="Jessy and Great Horned Owl" border="0" height="200" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/f14f48d605/Jessy%20and%20Great%20Horned%20Owl.JPG" style="height: 200px; width: 150px;" title="Jessy and Great Horned Owl" vspace="0" width="150" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">P.S. Calling all Hawk Ridge Alumni - Where are you now? </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">As we celebrate 50 years, we would love to hear from you! Please send an update to Janelle at jlong@hawkridge.org on what year you were involved & position, photo of you at Hawk Ridge (or current), and what you're doing now! </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><u><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><u><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">August Bird Migration Count Summary</span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><u><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"></span></b></u></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>By Jess Cosentino, Fall Count Director</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></p><img align="right" alt="All the staff at the count platform 2022" border="0" height="248" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/d736626346/Staff%20at%20the%20count%20platform%202022.jpg" style="height: 248px; width: 306px;" title="All the staff at the count platform 2022" vspace="0" width="306" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The fall bird migration count season at Hawk Ridge kicked off on August 15 (50 years and counting! 1972-2022). A total of 155 count hours over 17 consecutive days of counts were logged throughout the second half of the month. A total of 917 migrant raptors of 13 species and 66 migrant non-raptor species were tallied from the observation platform between 15 and 31 August. The first week of the count saw days with southerly winds coupled with warmer temperatures, which did not seem to motivate much in the way of raptor movement, while the final three days brought a favorable shift in the weather and wind from the west and north which helped promote some. Most raptor species totals were consistent with previous August counts. A mix of Osprey (25), Northern Harriers (44), American Kestrels (28), and Peregrine Falcons (7) were all documented throughout the month – all species which are generally earlier fall migrants, with the bulk passing the ridge by the end of September. No early large Broad-winged Hawk kettles were spotted this month which may have been influenced by a general lack of favorable wind conditions throughout. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="Swallow-tailed Kite at Hawk Ridge 8-20-22 z" border="0" height="204" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/d736626346/Swallow-tailed%20Kite%20at%20Hawk%20Ridge%208-20-22%20z.jpg" style="height: 204px; width: 306px;" title="Swallow-tailed Kite at Hawk Ridge 8-20-22 z" vspace="0" width="306" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The real notable raptor highlights of August have dubbed 2022 the “Year of the Kite”, as TWO species of North American kite were spotted passing along the ridge within two days of one another. On August 20, a beautiful Swallow-tailed Kite spotted by counter Sean McLaughlin made a buoyant flight directly over the count platform while heading down ridge. This is the FIRST record for this species at Hawk Ridge! On August 22, during a warm afternoon of northwest winds and dragonfly-rich skies, a Mississippi Kite passed high along the lakeshore to the east of the ridge, circling for a moment to provide distant views, before peeling off south. The last record for this species at Hawk Ridge was August 2013. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="Cedar Waxwing" border="0" height="189" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/d736626346/Cedar%20Waxwing.jpg" style="height: 189px; width: 306px;" title="Cedar Waxwing" vspace="0" width="306" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The non-raptor migrant flights in August were dominated by Cedar Waxwings (2044, 27% of count total). As hundreds of local waxwings remained on the ridge feeding on ample service berries, migrant groups began shuffling south down the lake shore each day of the month. Unidentified warblers (1791, 23%) were the next most abundant migrant over the month, as several morning flights saw pushes of the small flitting songbirds as they got early starts exiting the northern boreal forests to head south. The mornings of August 30 and 31 saw some of the larger morning warbler flights of the month (533 and 803, respectively). A total of 21 identified warbler species were counted passing the platform as well, with Tennessee (205) and Nashville (101) comprising the bulk of those birds. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="CONI" border="0" height="204" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/d736626346/CONI.jpg" style="height: 204px; width: 306px;" title="CONI" vspace="0" width="306" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">A moderate push of Common Nighthawks (692) passed the ridge before the month’s end, usually during the earlier and later hours of the count period. Cliff Swallows (638) were the next most abundant aerial insectivore moving south, while Tree (89), Barn (56), Bank (5), and Northern Rough-winged Swallows (2) with Chimney Swifts (82) and Purple Martins (10) pushed steadily through the skies as well. Other abundant early season migrants included groups of Red-winged Blackbirds, Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, Purple Finches, American White Pelicans, and Double-crested Cormorants all filling the sky. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="Sandhill Cranes" border="0" height="119" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/d736626346/HRBO_SeptNONRaptorSummary_1.JPG" style="height: 119px; width: 306px;" title="Sandhill Cranes" vspace="0" width="306" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">A few shorebirds heading south from the boreal and (sub-)Arctic biomes passed the ridge, including several Solitary Sandpipers (9), Greater Yellowlegs (3), Yellowleg/Tringa species (15), Wilson’s Snipe (3), American Golden Plover (1), and Semipalmated Plovers (2). Other migrants leaving the northern latitudes this month and passing the count platform included a few Sandhill Cranes (3), Common Loons (18), Olive-sided Flycatchers (21), Herring Gulls (3), Great Blue Herons (5), and a Gray-cheeked Thrush, while migrant Bobolink (5), Rose-breasted Grosbeaks (28), Baltimore Oriole (12), Eastern Kingbird (9), and Chipping Sparrows (29) were regularly documented as well. You can view our <a href="https://hawkcount.org/month_summary.php?rsite=288&ryear=2022&rmonth=08" target="_blank">hawkcount totals HERE</a> and follow along with our <a href="https://dunkadoo.org/explore/hawk-ridge-bird-observatory/migration-count-fall-2022" target="_blank">live count HERE</a>! </span></p><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><u><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">August Raptor Banding Summary </span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">By Frank Nicoletti, Banding Director </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></p><img align="right" alt="Maggie Brown Bander with Bald Eagle 2022" border="0" height="376" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/d736626346/Maggie%20Brown%20Bander%20with%20Bald%20Eagle%202022.jpg" style="height: 376px; width: 275px;" title="Maggie Brown Bander with Bald Eagle 2022" vspace="0" width="275" /><div class="l7ghb35v kjdc1dyq kmwttqpk gh25dzvf jikcssrz n3t5jt4f" style="margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The Hawk Ridge raptor banding station started on August 15. This season marks the 50th year of operation at Hawk Ridge (1972-2022). The Hawk Ridge station was in operation for 17 days while Moose Valley ran for 6 days starting on the 26th. </span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">A total of 60 raptors were banded during August. The totals are as follows: </span></div></div><div class="l7ghb35v kjdc1dyq kmwttqpk gh25dzvf jikcssrz n3t5jt4f" style="margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Bald <a style="cursor: pointer;" tabindex="-1" target=""></a>Eagle-1</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Northern Harrier-2</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Sharp-shinned Hawk-39</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Cooper’s Hawk-2</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Red-tailed Hawk-11</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Merlin-4</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">American Kestrel-1</span></div></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><u>Plan Your Visit to Hawk Ridge</u> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">VISIT US 9AM-4PM DAILY SEPT 1 - OCT. 31ST!</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><img align="right" alt="Staff fall 2022" border="0" height="230" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/d736626346/Staff%20fall%202022.jpg" style="height: 230px; width: 306px;" title="Staff fall 2022" vspace="0" width="306" /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><u><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Visitor Info for Viewing the Fall Bird Migration</span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Join us for another fantastic fall bird migration season at Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory! If you are planning to visit, please read our guidelines on our <a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/plan-your-visit/visitors-guide/" target="_blank">Plan Your Visit</a> page and they will also be posted at the Hawk Ridge main overlook.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/plan-your-visit/visitors-guide/" target="_blank"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Visitors Guide</span></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/plan-your-visit/lodging/" target="_blank"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Lodging</span></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/plan-your-visit/directions/" target="_blank">Directions</a> <i>(</i><i>Please note for those that typically drive to Hawk Ridge from Jean Duluth Rd, the intersection of Jean Duluth/Snively/Glenwood is closed. Hawk Ridge on East Skyline Pkwy is still accessible coming up the hill on Glenwood St or from Seven Bridges Rd or Maxwell Rd)</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/about-us/staff/" target="_blank">Meet the Fall 2022 Staff!</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/events/calendar/" target="_blank">Program Calendar</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><u><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">October Evening Owl Programs (SAVE THE DATES!)</span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><u><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></u></b></p><img align="right" alt="Emily Pavlovic Saw-whet 2020" border="0" height="333" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/d736626346/Emily%20Pavlovic%20Saw-whet%202020.jpg" style="height: 333px; width: 250px;" title="Emily Pavlovic Saw-whet 2020" vspace="0" width="250" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-52da141b-7fff-e91a-975a-49d5ab79e6b6"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Whoo doesn’t like owls? From large to small, seasonal travelers, and hardy residents, Minnesota hosts a fascinating diversity of owls, with some crazy habits, and some hauntingly beautiful sounds in the night. Join us this fall to learn about the Hawk Ridge owl banding research through one of our evening owl programs or workshop. Pre-registration will be required and ticket sales online to open soon! </span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Saturday evening public programs: Oct. 8th & Oct. 22nd at 8pm </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Owl 2-day Workshop Weekend: Sat. Oct. 15th & Sun. Oct. 16th</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">You can register today for small group private programs (up to 8): offered Sept. 27-Oct. 31 (Tues. or Thurs-Sat. evenings with date/time to be arranged) by sending an email to mmenzies@hawkridge.org</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><u><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve Facilities Improvement Plan</span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><u><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><img align="right" alt="A beautiful day at Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve (photo by Gail Johnejack)" border="0" height="224" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/8113d1d898/A%20beautiful%20day%20at%20Hawk%20Ridge%20Nature%20Reserve%20(photo%20by%20Gail%20Johnejack).jpg" style="height: 224px; width: 300px;" title="A beautiful day at Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve (photo by Gail Johnejack)" vspace="0" width="300" /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve Facilities Improvement Plan is moving forward! In June the City of Duluth Parks & Recreation Commission and City Council approved our final mini-master plan, which can be viewed online <a href="https://duluthmn.gov/parks/parks-planning/progress-in-the-park/hawk-ridge/" id="" target="_blank">HERE</a>! We look forward to implementing this plan to improve facilities at Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve for road safety issues, accessibility, increased education program space, and enhanced visitor viewing. We appreciate the helpful feedback received and it's clear that there are many people who enjoy Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve as a beloved outdoor space in Duluth!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><u><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Thank You for Your Support!</span></u></b></p><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory thanks all of our supporters. We appreciate you! As a nonprofit organization, we are primarily funded by individual gifts to put our bird migration research and education programs in action. Below are some of the ways you can help us keep sharing the magic of the bird migration!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 14.2667px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b><u>Support Hawk Ridge by Shopping!</u></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><img align="right" alt="Celebrate Diversity by E Regnier (2)" border="0" height="155" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/448bc1b7c7/Celebrate%20Diversity%20by%20E%20Regnier%20(2).jpg" style="height: 155px; width: 140px;" title="Celebrate Diversity by E Regnier (2)" vspace="0" width="140" /><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Be sure to purchase one of our unique artist-designed <b><a href="https://hawkridgeobservatory.itemorder.com/sale" target="_blank">Hawk Ridge shirts or tote bags</a></b> online! Our featured artist is Emma Regnier, who completed both the Bird Banding & Bird Migration Count Research Traineeships at Hawk Ridge in 2020 & 2021. She created 2 new beautiful designs for our limited-edition shirts for 2021, including the popular "Celebrate Diversity" design pictured here! Our 50th Anniversary shirts will also be available online soon and are available for purchase up at Hawk Ridge this fall Sept 1-Oct 31! </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">If you like to shop on Amazon, we'd also super appreciate you adding Hawk Ridge as a charity you support via </span><b><a href="https://smile.amazon.com/gp/chpf/homepage?orig=%2F" target="_blank"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Amazon Smile</span></a>. </b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory receives a donation of 0.5% of eligible purchases!</span>.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><img align="right" alt="Banded bird release at Hawk Ridge by J Richardson" border="0" height="174" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/0a86a72a43/Banded%20bird%20release%20at%20Hawk%20Ridge%20by%20J%20Richardson.jpg" style="height: 174px; width: 130px;" title="Banded bird release at Hawk Ridge by J Richardson" vspace="0" width="130" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b><u>Become A Member Today!</u></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">If you're already a member of Hawk Ridge, we sincerely appreciate your support! THANK YOU! If you're not a member and have enjoyed your experience with Hawk Ridge, we invite you to renew or join as a Hawk Ridge member today! Our memberships and donations help drive our bird conservation research and education programs. You can check out our exciting membership benefits and<a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/support/membership/" target="_blank"> <b>join or renew online HERE!</b></a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b><u>Books with Portion of Proceeds coming to Hawk Ridge!</u></b> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><u>Art on the Edge of the Boreal Forest: <i>Alternative Futures for the trees, birds and insects </i></u></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Original art by ten Minnesota artists</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Text by Lee Frelich, Ph.D. and Gerald Niemi, Ph.D. </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><img align="right" alt="Art on the Edge of the Boreal Forest book cover" border="0" height="162" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/6f07fcd110/Art%20on%20the%20Edge%20of%20the%20Boreal%20Forest%20book%20cover.jpg" style="height: 162px; width: 125px;" title="Art on the Edge of the Boreal Forest book cover" vspace="0" width="125" /><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">A group of Minnesota botanical artists applied their skills and knowledge to create a visual archival record of Minnesota's threatened boreal forest. Dr. Frelich, director for the Center for Forest Ecology, and Dr. Niemi, Professor Emeritus in the Department of Biology, University of Minnesota Duluth (and former Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory Board Member & Research Chair), as well as Jane Albers, DNR Forest Health Specialist, contributed research on threatened boreal trees, plants, birds, and insects. This collection is important because the ecology of the boreal forest is undergoing slow and silent but significant change due to disturbances caused by fire, invasive insects and stressful climate conditions. Books for sale online from various sellers, including <a href="https://store.bookbaby.com/book/art-on-the-edge-of-the-boreal-forest1" target="_blank">HERE</a>. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="Hawks-on-High-Cover-700x875" border="0" height="156" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/6f07fcd110/Hawks-on-High-Cover-700x875.jpg" style="height: 156px; width: 125px;" title="Hawks-on-High-Cover-700x875" vspace="0" width="125" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://savpress.com/shop/hawks-on-high-everyday-miracles-in-a-hawks-ridge-season/" target="_blank"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Hawks on High - Everyday Miracles in a Hawk Ridge Season</b></span></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>By Phil Fitzpatrick with drawings by Penny Perry</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Phil Fitzpatrick captures the magic of migration at Hawk Ridge and interesting bird bits beyond through his beautiful collection of poetry. Poems are brought to life through the artwork of Penny Perry. Books <a href="https://savpress.com/shop/hawks-on-high-everyday-miracles-in-a-hawks-ridge-season/" target="_blank">for sale online</a> and at Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve during the fall season September 1 - October 31. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><u><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Simply Donate</span></span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">You can always simply donate online by clicking <a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/support/donate/" target="_blank">HERE</a> or by mailing a check made out to Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory, P.O. Box 3006, Duluth, MN 55803.<br /></span></p></div></div></div></div><h3 style="border-color: black; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 6px; padding: 0px; width: 614px;"></h3><div style="border-color: black; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; clear: both; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; width: 614px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.hawkridge.org/support/donate/" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://www.hawkridge.org/support/donate/" target="_blank"></a>Thank you again for your wonderful gift of support! Hope to connect with you this fall! <br /></span><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br />Sincerely,<br /><br />Janelle Long<br />Executive Director<br />Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory<br /><br />Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory<br />P.O. Box 3006<br />Duluth, MN 55803-3006<br />Call: 218-428-6209<br />Contact: mail@hawkridge.org<br />Visit: www.hawkridge.org<br />501(c)3 Non-Profit Organization<br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Federal Tax ID 76-0746366</span></p></div>Hawk Ridge Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03346381697590328711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5922014117958172534.post-18398774435630448132022-09-02T14:32:00.000-05:002022-09-02T14:32:11.110-05:00Hawk Ridge News - August 2022<p> <span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Dear Hawk Ridge Friends,</span></p><div style="border-color: black; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; clear: both; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; width: 614px;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"></span></p><a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/event/hawk-ridge-50th-celebration-event-sept-22-25-2022/" target="_blank"><img align="right" alt="HRBO_50th_Anniversary_Design_color_gold_text 2" border="0" height="306" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/87e80e0e10/HRBO_50th_Anniversary_Design_color_gold_text%202.jpg" style="height: 306px; width: 306px;" title="HRBO_50th_Anniversary_Design_color_gold_text 2" vspace="0" width="306" /></a><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Our fall bird migration count and banding research started August 15th! On August 20th, our counters had an exciting first record of a Swallow-tailed Kite at Hawk Ridge, which you can read more about below! Over 3,800 birds (approx. 10% raptors & 90% other migrating birds) of 83+ species have been counted so far since August 15! </span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A friendly reminder that the discounted festival package registration for our big Hawk Ridge 50th Anniversary Celebration (Sept. 22-25) event ends in one week on September 1st. You can register <a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/event/hawk-ridge-50th-celebration-event-sept-22-25-2022/" target="_blank">HERE</a> today for this special event and find out more below! </span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Thanks again for your support and we hope to see you this fall, especially at the special celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve! </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">P.S. If you missed our last e-newsletter, you can view previous versions by clicking </span><a href="http://hawkridgeblog.blogspot.com/" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;" target="_blank">HERE</a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><u><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b style="background-color: #f8f5f2; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/event/hawk-ridge-50th-celebration-event-sept-22-25-2022/" target="_blank">Hawk Ridge 50th Anniversary Celebration!</a></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b style="background-color: #f8f5f2;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/event/hawk-ridge-50th-celebration-event-sept-22-25-2022/" target="_blank">Sept. 22-25th, 2022</a></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 13.3333px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><img align="right" alt="HRBO_50th_Anniversary_Poster_Color_4x6 (1)" border="0" height="402" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/87e80e0e10/HRBO_50th_Anniversary_Poster_Color_4x6%20(1).jpg" style="height: 402px; width: 306px;" title="HRBO_50th_Anniversary_Poster_Color_4x6 (1)" vspace="0" width="306" /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 13.3333px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b style="background-color: #f8f5f2; font-size: medium;"><br /></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;">We invite you to join us for this special celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve & raptor research at Hawk Ridge! The Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve was established in 1972, which also was the first year of full-time standardized fall raptor migration count and raptor banding research. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;">We will kick off the event Thursday evening 9/22 at the beautiful Greysolon Ballroom for a grand celebration of the past, present, and future of Hawk Ridge! The anniversary weekend fun continues (Fri. 9/23 - Sun. 9/25) with a great line up of programs, speakers, field trips, workshops, and special events. You can find all the details <a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/event/hawk-ridge-50th-celebration-event-sept-22-25-2022/" target="_blank">HERE</a>! We invite you for this very special celebration and hope to see many of our Hawk Ridge friends from then, now, and new!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #f8f5f2; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><b><a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/event/hawk-ridge-50th-celebration-event-sept-22-25-2022/" target="_blank">REGISTER HERE TODAY!</a> (*Discounted Festival Package Registration ends Thurs. Sept. 1st!) </b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><img align="right" alt="Jessy and Great Horned Owl" border="0" height="200" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/f14f48d605/Jessy%20and%20Great%20Horned%20Owl.JPG" style="height: 200px; width: 150px;" title="Jessy and Great Horned Owl" vspace="0" width="150" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: large;">P.S. Calling all Hawk Ridge Alumni - Where are you now? </b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;">As we celebrate 50 years, we would love to hear from you! Please send an update to Janelle at jlong@hawkridge.org on what year you were involved & position, photo of you at Hawk Ridge (or current), and what you're doing now! </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 13.3333px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><u><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><u>Swallow-tailed Kite at Hawk Ridge!</u></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 13.3333px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><u style="font-size: 13.3333px;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"></span></b></u></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 13.3333px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>By Sean McLaughlin, Spring Counter</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 13.3333px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><br /></b></span></p><img align="right" alt="Swallow-tailed Kite at Hawk Ridge 8-20-22 z" border="0" height="204" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/f14f48d605/Swallow-tailed%20Kite%20at%20Hawk%20Ridge%208-20-22%20z.jpg" style="height: 204px; width: 306px;" title="Swallow-tailed Kite at Hawk Ridge 8-20-22 z" vspace="0" width="306" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;">First record of a Swallow-tailed Kite at Hawk Ridge today! Counter Sean shared this summary below “Early afternoon, just before clearing skies, a distant raptor appeared above Moose Mountain, that I initially declared an accipiter. Upon seeing the bird bank, I knew this was something new. A quick scope look decided this bird was a Swallow-tailed Kite. It gracefully bounced down the ridge on the E side, offering great views and time to snap a few shots. The clearing skies increased raptor diversity, with BALD EAGLES forming one small kettle, BROAD-WINGED HAWKS appearing in small numbers, and SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS zipping by.” Florida Keys Hawkwatch has had a record breaking numbers of Swallow-tailed Kites this season, so especially exciting to see one this far north! </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory conducts the Hawk Ridge fall bird migration count from August 15 - November 30. This marks the 50th year of the fall raptor count at Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve! You can view our <a href="https://hawkcount.org/month_summary.php?rsite=288&ryear=2022&rmonth=08" target="_blank">hawkcount totals HERE</a> and follow along with our <a href="https://dunkadoo.org/explore/hawk-ridge-bird-observatory/migration-count-fall-2022" target="_blank">live count HERE</a>! </span></p><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Volunteer at Hawk Ridge this Fall!</u> </b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></b></p><img align="right" alt="IMG_3869 3" border="0" height="246" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/f14f48d605/IMG_3869%203.jpg" style="height: 246px; width: 200px;" title="IMG_3869 3" vspace="0" width="200" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Each fall, Hawk Ridge sees thousands of migrating raptors passing by as they make their way to their wintering grounds south of us. We also get thousands of visitors stopping at the main overlook at Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve to view and learn about the migration with us. We couldn't connect and do all the things that help make the experience great for visitors without our amazing volunteers! </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Volunteers perform a multitude of tasks from greeting visitors, nature reserve stewardship, helping with merchandise, pointing out birds to visitors, kid's activity cart, helping assist staff (naturalists, counters, banders, merchandise) and the list goes on. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;">If you're interested, please join us for our <b>Hawk Ridge Volunteer Welcome Orientation and Potluck on Tuesday, August 30th from 6-8pm (in person)</b>. <u><b>RSVP required by Monday, August 29th</b></u> by sending an email to Hawk Ridge Volunteer Coordinator, Valerie Slocum, at volunteer@hawkridge.org for further information. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><img align="right" alt="Kids Cart Bird Mask" border="0" height="176" hspace="0" src="https://scontent-ort2-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/283143634_5276443335751696_630312905747112590_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=a26aad&_nc_ohc=rJMOyrDwT3kAX9YaOoc&_nc_ht=scontent-ort2-2.xx&oh=00_AT_2-oGQdlf9eY-E0iuvDp98u4qixWsyCifAlxocZy6Qeg&oe=630D36DF" style="font-size: 10pt; height: 176px; width: 175px;" title="Kids Cart Bird Mask" vspace="0" width="175" /><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Who is Eligible? Anyone who shares a passion for the natural world and enjoys birds, helping, learning, and having fun! No prior experience is necessary. We will train and teach you, and provide ample opportunities for you to pursue your passion, whether it be birds, sales, public relations, or teaching! Kids under 16 must be accompanied by parent. We hope to see you this fall!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Plan Your Visit to Hawk Ridge</u> </b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 13.3333px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">VISIT US 9AM-4PM DAILY SEPT 1 - OCT. 31ST!</span></b><span style="font-size: 10pt;"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 13.3333px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><img align="right" alt="Visitors watching raptor release at Hawk Ridge fall" border="0" height="187" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/f14f48d605/Visitors%20watching%20raptor%20release%20at%20Hawk%20Ridge%20fall.jpg" style="font-size: 13.3333px; height: 187px; width: 250px;" title="Visitors watching raptor release at Hawk Ridge fall" vspace="0" width="250" /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 13.3333px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b style="font-size: 13.3333px;"><u><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;">Visitor Info for Viewing the Fall Bird Migration</span></span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 13.3333px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 13.3333px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 13.3333px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">We are excited for another fall bird migration season at Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory! </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">If you are planning to visit, please read our guidelines on our <a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/plan-your-visit/visitors-guide/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Plan Your Visit</span></a> page and they will also be posted at the Hawk Ridge main overlook.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 13.3333px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 13.3333px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/plan-your-visit/visitors-guide/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Visitors Guide</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 13.3333px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/plan-your-visit/lodging/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Lodging</span></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 13.3333px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/plan-your-visit/directions/" style="font-size: 13.3333px;" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Directions</span></a><span style="font-size: 13.3333px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <i>(</i></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><i>Please note for those that typically drive to Hawk Ridge from Jean Duluth Rd, the intersection of Jean Duluth/Snively/Glenwood is closed. Hawk Ridge on East Skyline Pkwy is still accessible coming up the hill on Glenwood St or from Seven Bridges Rd or Maxwell Rd)</i></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/about-us/staff/" target="_blank">Meet the Fall 2022 Staff!</a></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 13.3333px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Upper Midwest American Kestrel Project </b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 13.3333px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u> & <a href="https://www.bonfire.com/store/upper-midwest-kestrel-project/" id="" target="_blank">Limited Edition Kestrel Shirts</a>!</u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 13.3333px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: large;">by Halle Lambeau</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span></p><img align="right" alt="male_kestrel_With_eggs" border="0" height="345" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/87e80e0e10/male_kestrel_With_eggs.JPG" style="height: 345px; width: 306px;" title="male_kestrel_With_eggs" vspace="0" width="306" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;">American Kestrels (Falco sparverius) are a keystone species of grassland habitat in the United States. Unfortunately, these small, colorful falcons are experiencing population declines throughout North America. Nest box programs have been established to provide breeding locations in high-quality habitat for kestrels. This research will combine large amounts of data from our collaborators with nest boxes in Minnesota (Sax-Zim Bog, Minnesota DNR) and Wisconsin (Madison Audubon Society, Central Wisconsin Kestrel Research, Cedar Grove Raptor Banding Station). With data from 475 nest boxes, we want to learn more about the optimal diet, temperature, and landscape conditions for kestrels with the hope of learning more about how we can effectively conserve kestrel populations. We will be using techniques such as stable isotope analysis of feathers to assess diet of kestrel chicks, temperature loggers to record conditions in nest boxes, and banding kestrels to track return rates. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="Kestrel Project Shirt Fundraiser" border="0" height="268" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/87e80e0e10/Kestrel%20Project%20Shirt%20Fundraiser.jpg" style="height: 268px; width: 306px;" title="Kestrel Project Shirt Fundraiser" vspace="0" width="306" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Fundraising efforts are still underway for this project and one way you can help support is by purchasing a beautiful, limited edition American Kestrel shirt! Get yours <a href="https://www.bonfire.com/store/upper-midwest-kestrel-project/" id="" target="_blank">HERE</a> today! </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;">This gorgeous t-shirt design was created by the incredible artist Emma Regnier (also Hawk Ridge research trainee 2020 & 2021!). Emma is a biologist and environmental educator currently working on a Golden Eagle project in Boise, Idaho! </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="halle_kestrels_Madison" border="0" height="263" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/87e80e0e10/halle_kestrels_Madison.jpg" style="height: 263px; width: 306px;" title="halle_kestrels_Madison" vspace="0" width="306" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">This project is led by Halle Lambeau, a Master’s student at the University of Minnesota Duluth, with the assistance of Frank Nicoletti and Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory,</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> as well as nest box programs by the great folks at Friends of Sax-Zim Bog, Madison Audubon, Central Wisconsin Kestrel Research, Beaver Creek Reserve, and Cedar Grove Ornithological Research Station.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"> All proceeds from this campaign will go directly towards funding data analysis, as well as the costs of monitoring equipment and mileage for this large-scale project. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Thank you to the Minnesota Ornithologists' Union for important grant support and to all others helping make this project possible by </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">purchasing a shirt, donating to the project, or sharing the campaign! </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 13.3333px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 13.3333px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve Facilities Improvement Plan</u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 13.3333px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><img align="right" alt="A beautiful day at Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve (photo by Gail Johnejack)" border="0" height="224" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/8113d1d898/A%20beautiful%20day%20at%20Hawk%20Ridge%20Nature%20Reserve%20(photo%20by%20Gail%20Johnejack).jpg" style="font-size: 13.3333px; height: 224px; width: 300px;" title="A beautiful day at Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve (photo by Gail Johnejack)" vspace="0" width="300" /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 13.3333px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">The Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve Facilities Improvement Plan is moving forward! In June the City of Duluth Parks & Recreation Commission and City Council approved our final mini-master plan, which can be viewed online</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span><a href="https://duluthmn.gov/parks/parks-planning/progress-in-the-park/hawk-ridge/" id="" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;" target="_blank">HERE</a>!<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"> We look forward to implementing this plan to improve facilities at Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve for </span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">road safety issues, accessibility, increased education program space, and enhanced visitor viewing. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">We appreciate the helpful feedback received and it's clear that there are many people who enjoy Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve as a beloved outdoor space in Duluth!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 13.3333px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><u><span style="font-size: medium;">Thank You for Your Support!</span></u></b></p><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory thanks all of our supporters. We appreciate you! As a nonprofit organization, we are primarily funded by individual gifts to put our bird migration research and education programs in action. Below are some of the ways you can help us keep sharing the magic of the bird migration!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 14.2667px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b><u>Support Hawk Ridge by Shopping!</u></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><img align="right" alt="Celebrate Diversity by E Regnier (2)" border="0" height="155" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/448bc1b7c7/Celebrate%20Diversity%20by%20E%20Regnier%20(2).jpg" style="height: 155px; width: 140px;" title="Celebrate Diversity by E Regnier (2)" vspace="0" width="140" /><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Be sure to p</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">urchase one of our unique artist-designed </span><b style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://hawkridgeobservatory.itemorder.com/sale" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Hawk Ridge shirts or tote bags</span></a></b><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"> online! </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Our featured artist is Emma Regnier, who completed both the Bird Banding & Bird Migration Count Research Traineeships at Hawk Ridge in 2020 & 2021. She created 2 new beautiful designs for our limited-edition shirts for 2021, including the popular "Celebrate Diversity" design pictured here! Our 50th Anniversary shirts will also be available online soon and for purchase up at Hawk Ridge this fall Sept 1-Oct 31! </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">If you like to shop on Amazon, we'd also super appreciate you adding Hawk Ridge as a charity you support via </span><b><a href="https://smile.amazon.com/gp/chpf/homepage?orig=%2F" target="_blank"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Amazon Smile</span></a>. </b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory receives a donation of 0.5% of eligible purchases!</span>.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </span></p><img align="right" alt="Banded bird release at Hawk Ridge by J Richardson" border="0" height="174" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/0a86a72a43/Banded%20bird%20release%20at%20Hawk%20Ridge%20by%20J%20Richardson.jpg" style="height: 174px; width: 130px;" title="Banded bird release at Hawk Ridge by J Richardson" vspace="0" width="130" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b><u>Become A Member Today!</u></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;">If you're already a member of Hawk Ridge, we sincerely appreciate your support! THANK YOU! If you're not a member and have enjoyed your experience with Hawk Ridge, we invite you to renew or join as a Hawk Ridge member today! Our memberships and donations help drive our bird conservation research and education programs. You can check out our exciting membership benefits and<a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/support/membership/" target="_blank"> <b>join or renew online HERE!</b></a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </span></p><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b><u>Books with Portion of Proceeds coming to Hawk Ridge!</u></b> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><u>Art on the Edge of the Boreal Forest: <i>Alternative Futures for the trees, birds and insects </i></u></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Original art by ten Minnesota artists</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Text by Lee Frelich, Ph.D. and Gerald Niemi, Ph.D. </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><img align="right" alt="Art on the Edge of the Boreal Forest book cover" border="0" height="162" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/6f07fcd110/Art%20on%20the%20Edge%20of%20the%20Boreal%20Forest%20book%20cover.jpg" style="height: 162px; width: 125px;" title="Art on the Edge of the Boreal Forest book cover" vspace="0" width="125" /><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;">A group of Minnesota botanical artists applied their skills and knowledge to create a visual archival record of Minnesota's threatened boreal forest. Dr. Frelich, director for the Center for Forest Ecology, and Dr. Niemi, Professor Emeritus in the Department of Biology, University of Minnesota Duluth (and former Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory Board Member & Research Chair), as well as Jane Albers, DNR Forest Health Specialist, contributed research on threatened boreal trees, plants, birds, and insects. This collection is important because the ecology of the boreal forest is undergoing slow and silent but significant change due to disturbances caused by fire, invasive insects and stressful climate conditions. Books for sale online from various sellers, including <a href="https://store.bookbaby.com/book/art-on-the-edge-of-the-boreal-forest1" target="_blank">HERE</a>. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><img align="right" alt="Hawks-on-High-Cover-700x875" border="0" height="156" hspace="0" src="https://b30c4c4c9c-custmedia.vresp.com/6f07fcd110/Hawks-on-High-Cover-700x875.jpg" style="height: 156px; width: 125px;" title="Hawks-on-High-Cover-700x875" vspace="0" width="125" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://savpress.com/shop/hawks-on-high-everyday-miracles-in-a-hawks-ridge-season/" target="_blank"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Hawks on High - Everyday Miracles in a Hawk Ridge Season</b></span></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>By Phil Fitzpatrick with drawings by Penny Perry</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Phil Fitzpatrick captures the magic of migration at Hawk Ridge and interesting bird bits beyond through his beautiful collection of poetry. Poems are brought to life through the artwork of Penny Perry. Books <a href="https://savpress.com/shop/hawks-on-high-everyday-miracles-in-a-hawks-ridge-season/" target="_blank">for sale online</a> and at Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve during the fall season September 1 - October 31. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><u><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Simply Donate</span></span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;">You can always simply donate online by clicking <a href="https://www.hawkridge.org/support/donate/" target="_blank">HERE</a> or by mailing a check made out to Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory, P.O. Box 3006, Duluth, MN 55803.<br /></span></p></div></div></div></div><h3 style="border-color: black; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 6px; padding: 0px; width: 614px;"></h3><div style="border-color: black; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; clear: both; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; width: 614px;"><a href="http://www.hawkridge.org/support/donate/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #386eff;"></span></a><a href="http://www.hawkridge.org/support/donate/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #386eff;"></span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Thank you again for your wonderful gift of support! Hope to connect with you this fall! <br /></span><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />Sincerely,<br /><br />Janelle Long<br />Executive Director<br />Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory<br /><br />Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory<br />P.O. Box 3006<br />Duluth, MN 55803-3006<br />Call: 218-428-6209<br />Contact: mail@hawkridge.org<br />Visit: www.hawkridge.org<br />501(c)3 Non-Profit Organization<br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;">Federal Tax ID 76-0746366</span></span></p></div>Hawk Ridge Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03346381697590328711noreply@blogger.com0