Dear Hawk Ridge Friends,
Hawk Ridge West Skyline Spring Count Updates (March 2021)
March 30, 2021
Be sure to register for our Spring Migration Weekend Workshop - find out more HERE!
March 27, 2021
Frank Nicoletti
Spring Count Director
March 24, 2021
Non-raptor movement was also good and included over 3000 Canada Geese
and amongst them two Snow Geese, some Cackling, and White-fronted Geese.
Some expected early waterfowl came in and Tundra Swans had a good
showing of 150. The only passerine movement was our first push of
American Robins and Red-winged Blackbirds along with Common Grackles. A
few Common Redpolls were noted moving and two flocks of Bohemian
Waxwings.
I want to thank all who came out to enjoy the weekend migration with us
and to those who helped, including Erik Bruhnke, Ralph Larsen, Hannah
Toutonghi, John Richardson and Stephen Nelson.
See the table on right to view the daily totals or or view count live here: https://dunkadoo.org/explore/h
Thanks to Jason Heinen, Hannah T and Erik B for sharing there photos.
Frank Nicoletti - Spring Count Director
March 21, 2021
Good day yesterday as the first Robins showed up, 1,500-/+ Canada Geese
in the morning and another decent push of eagles! The local pair of
peregrines also put on a great show for all the hawkwatchers throughout
the day!
March 18, 2021
The West Skyline Hawk Watch has been conducted since February 22 with
130 hours logged. The majority of the 1448 raptors counted have been
Bald Eagles. This weekend is setting up to be a big flight for eagles
and other early migrants with temperatures in the 50's, SSW winds
15-25mph and an approaching front coming late on Sunday. So if you are
in the neighborhood, grab your binoculars and enjoy the magnificent
spring migration. We have also recorded our first Sandhill Cranes of the
season, along with Trumpeter Swans and Canada Geese. There has also
been a Townsend’s Solitaire and flocks of Bohemian Waxwings. I want to
acknowledge the great crew of assistant counters who help me daily. I
also want to thank Clay Taylor of Swarovski Optics for the generous
donation of loaner binoculars for me to use this spring. Please note the
City of Duluth will be closing off the front road to Enger Tower to
vehicles starting Monday 3/22. We are still able to conduct our Spring
Count research, but others will need to walk/bike in for
viewing/recreation.
Frank Nicoletti, Spring Count Director
WSHC totals:
Bald Eagle-1378
Northern Harrier-1
Cooper’s Hawk-2
Northern Goshawk-1
Red-tailed Hawk-8
Rough-legged Hawk-8
Golden Eagle-46
Merlin-1
American Kestrel-1
March 10, 2021
https://dunkadoo.org/explore/h
Erik Bruhnke
Spring Count Volunteer
March 5, 2021
The spring raptor count started on February 22 and will continue until the end of May. Mostly Bald Eagles have been moving so far with 297 counted. There have also been 7 Golden Eagles, 2 Cooper's Hawks and an adult dark Rough-legged Hawk. Weather is looking good for migration starting on Sunday 3/7 through Tuesday 3/9, ahead of an approaching front, and should provide us with our first triple digit flights. The count averages almost 30,000 raptors each spring. If interested in watching this spectacular flight, which occurs in west Duluth below Enger Tower or Thompson Hill, please check out our website at hawkridge.org for more information on the count and location. Hope to see you out there!
Frank Nicoletti
Spring Count Director
March 1, 2021
This count was started by Frank Nicoletti and conducted from 1997-2005 documenting an average of 26,000 raptors (comprised of 20 diurnal species with 4 being notable as rare & 1 owl species!). From 2006-2017, it ran primarily on a volunteer-basis, but thanks to a generous donation, we have been able to restart the count full-time March-May beginning in 2018 and continuing for at least 10 years. You can view the spring raptor count via HERE or the full live count HERE or from our home page at hawkridge.org. We invite you to come out and visit us 10am-2pm (weather-dependent)! Please see directions below.
Directions to the West Skyline Spring Count:
IMPORTANT: Please note that the spring count takes place on WEST Skyline Parkway (at one of two sites depending on wind direction) vs our fall count site at Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve on EAST Skyline Parkway.
In S, SW, SE, N, NW or W winds: overlook below Enger Tower.
Continue past the Enger Golf Course on West Skyline Parkway to overlook pullout
just below Enger Tower (marked with a sign, “Rice’s Point"). NOTE: The front portion of Hank Jensen Rd loop on West Skyline Parkway is closed off, so you will need to park along West Skyline or at the Twin Ponds parking area and walk in. If you don’t see anyone at the overlook
with binoculars, try the Thompson Hill site or check our Facebook page.
In NE or E winds: overlook below Thompson Hill rest area.
Directions: From Hwy 35, take the Boundary Avenue exit (249) and cross to the
north side of the freeway. Turn RIGHT onto West Skyline Parkway as if going to
the Thompson Hill Rest Stop. Drive past the first rest stop entrance to the
overlook directly below the rest stop (you’ll come to the second rest stop
entrance if you go too far). If you don’t see anyone at the overlook with
binoculars, try the Enger Tower site or check our Facebook page.
More general information on both the fall and spring migration counts can be found HERE!
