Hawk Ridge News - May 2021

Dear Hawk Ridge Friends,

We hope you can join us for our last few weeks of our Spring Count now through May 31st! The diversity and numbers of migrating bird species has picked up this week with warmer temps and sunshine. Hawk Ridge has been counting all the birds during the spring migration since March 1^st. Approximately 17,000 raptors of 16 species have been counted, as well as 26,000+ other birds (~100 different species) have also been counted. Thanks again for your support and if we don't see you this spring, we hope to catch the migration with you this fall!

West Skyline Hawk Count April Summary

By Frank Nicoletti, Spring Count Director

 

The WSHC was conducted for 25 days during April. The few days not covered were due to inclement weather, such as rain and snow. A total of 8282 raptors were counted of 15 species. The average of raptors counted was 331 per day. The monthly total of 8282 was well below the average for the month since the count resumed in 2018 with 12,604 as an average. Migration conditions in April were predominated by north and northwest winds. The lack of warm fronts and southerly winds often spread out the flight.

 

Highlights for raptors included two adult light Harlan’s, an adult dark Swainson’s, adult dark Broad-winged Hawk and 4 Red-shouldered Hawks, including 3 adults on the 10^th.  Of course watching the raptors migrating daily is always a highlight. Some of the non-raptors included well over 3000 Bohemian Waxwings, 2584 American Robins, along with two days of almost 200 Yellow-rumped Warblers. There were many new arrivals coming most days during the month.

 

Many helped with the count and I truly appreciate their contributions: among these included Ralph Larsen, John Edwards, Ed Longhway, Dave Carman, Hannah Toutonghi, Steve Kolbe and Erik Bruhnke.

April Monthly Total

Turkey Vulture-2192

Osprey-83

Bald Eagle-1194

Northern Harrier-47

Sharp-shinned Hawk-937

Cooper’s Hawk-29

Red-shouldered Hawk-4

Broad-winged Hawk-1259

Red-tailed Hawk-2282

Swainson’s Hawk-1

Rough-legged Hawk-180

Golden Eagle-18

American Kestrel-22

Merlin-31

Peregrine Falcon-3

Total-8282

We welcome you out to visit us at the count! For directions and more information, click HERE!

Raptorthon 2021 Summary

Frank and the Spring Counters held the Raptorthon in support of Hawk Ridge and the Hawk Migration Association of North America on Saturday, April 17th. 425 raptors of 9 species were counted (254 Turkey Vultures, 3 Osprey, 79 Bald Eagles, 1 Northern Harrier, 22 Sharp-shinned Hawks, 1 Cooper's Hawk, 55 Red-tailed Hawks, 7 Rough-legged Hawks, and 2 Merlins). Many visitors, volunteers, and participants in the Spring Migration Workshop led by Hawk Ridge Education Director, Margie Menzies, were in attendance. Thank you to all those that helped out and donated to the Raptorthon! It's much appreciated! You can still make a pledge by clicking HERE!

UPCOMING EVENTS

Pick a Bird Brain - Warblers, Warblers, Warblers! 

Tuesday, May 18th 7-8pm

FREE Virtual Public Program via Zoom (registration required)

CLICK HERE for registration info

The wonderful world of warblers is coming! Spring migration is on and these small, fine-feathered friends are on their way throughout the month of May. We’ll concentrate on who you are likely to see and hear during breeding season, where to look for them, learn about the specialists in the group, and other interesting natural history. Join Hawk Ridge Education Director, Margie Menzies, and John Richardson on May 18, 2021 from 7-8 pm CDT for the Pick a Bird Brain Session: Warblers, Warblers, Warblers!

Cost: Free Virtual Program (Donations Appreciated - Click HERE to donate - thank you!). Registration is required - CLICK HERE for registration.

Hawk Weekend Festival

September 17-19, 2021 (More info coming soon!)

Come and celebrate the fall bird migration with us! Hawk Weekend is the annual festival held by the Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory in Duluth, MN. It is a wonderful opportunity to showcase one of North America’s best places to experience the fall bird migration at Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve. There will be a variety of field trips, hikes, programs, and activities for all ages. More info coming soon!

Education Programs for Groups

Live virtual programs or small in-person group education programs are being offered by Hawk Ridge. If you have a group that’s interested in learning more about the amazing migration phenomenon at Hawk Ridge, we would love to share fascinating stories, science, and beautiful birds with you virtually or in-person. To find out more about offerings, please contact Margie Menzies, mmenzies@hawkridge.com or 218-428-8722, for booking your program.

Click HERE for virtual program offerings. 

 Ways of Giving

Become A Member Today!

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 join or renew online HERE!

Support Hawk Ridge by Shopping! 

If you missed out on one of our fun shirt designs from a past season at our merchandise trailer, you might be in luck. You can order some of our past designs like this adorable Northern Saw-whet Owl by Alexa Carson and it's shipped directly to you! Order online HERE!

Two more simple ways to raise money for Hawk Ridge are by using charitable online shopping options. 1) You can shop online at your favorite stores through GoodShop and Hawk Ridge earns cash back! 2) If you like to shop on Amazon, you can add Hawk Ridge as your charity you support via Amazon Smile and Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory receives a donation of 0.5% of eligible purchases!

 Simply Donate

You can always simply donate online by clicking HERE or by mailing a check made out to Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory, P.O. Box 3006, Duluth, MN 55803

P.S. If you missed any of our recent previous newsletters, you can find them HERE.

Thank you again for your wonderful gift of support!

Sincerely,

Janelle Long
Executive Director
Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory

Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory
P.O. Box 3006
Duluth, MN 55803-3006
Call: 218-428-6209
Contact: mail@hawkridge.org
Visit: www.hawkridge.org
Non-Profit Organization

Federal Tax ID 76-0746366

Hawk Ridge News - April 2021

 Dear Hawk Ridge Friends,

April is here and more birds are on the move! Even though we've had a few days of rain/fog here in Duluth, I've enjoyed watching many new feathered friends visiting our feeders (robins, chickadees, sparrows, nuthatches, woodpeckers and more!). We're almost half way into the season at our West Skyline Spring Count with nearly 5,000 raptors of 13 species counted, as well as over 7,000 non-raptors of 36 species. You can view all our count March updates on our Blog HERE or via our Facebook page. We also wanted to remind you to be sure to register for some or all of our Spring Migration Weekend coming up next weekend April 16-18th (Click HERE today!) You can register for the whole workshop or a la carte field trips or sessions. NOTE: Registration ENDS Wed. April 14th at 5pm. Happy Spring Migration!
 
West Skyline Hawk Count April Update
By Frank Nicoletti, Spring Count Director
 
Now that we are entering the beginning of April’s migration, this is the one time of year I set aside to study the various Red-tailed Hawks plumages and sub-species of this highly variable raptor. We have already seen 7 adult dark type, one gorgeous adult light Harlan’s with a gray grizzle tail, and a mostly white individual. We are also enjoying the other raptors moving through. The adult Rough-legged Hawk push is on as well, as well as the beginning of the Turkey Vulture and Sharp-shinned Hawk migration. See the count table HERE to view the totals to date.
 
There has also been a good movement of waterfowl, some White Pelican, Sandhill Cranes, Common Loons, and passerines. If you're interested in the non-raptor observations, you can also check out the eBird reports for both West Skyline Spring Count sites: Thompson Hill and Enger. We welcome you out to visit us at the count - for directions and more information, click HERE!
 
UPCOMING EVENTS
 
Spring Migration Weekend Workshop (register for full weekend or a la carte)
Starts Friday, April 16th (evening) - Sunday, April 18th (afternoon)
Registration Required - limited space for sessions/field trips 
*See cost & registration info below or CLICK HERE
 
Have you ever wondered about differences in spring migration versus fall? Do birds use the same route in the spring that they used in the fall? Do adult birds and immature birds travel at the same time? Can you age and sex a bird in flight? How does weather impact migration patterns? What is fallout- is there raptor fallout? This workshop will address all of these questions, as well as the overall science of spring bird migration, learning basic ID skills and counting essentials, natural history, current Hawk Ridge Research, and learning at one of the top spring raptor migration sites in the US, as well as the exploring the Duluth Harbor and St. Louis River area for migrants of all types!
 
Participants can choose to participate in the full weekend (8 sessions/field trips) at a discounted price - OR - choose activities you would like to attend and register a la carte. Workshop will be led by Margie Menzies, Hawk Ridge Education Director, and assisted at times by Hawk Ridge Count Staff/Volunteers (John Richardson, Frank Nicoletti, Erik Bruhnke, and other potential experts present during the time of the workshop sessions).
 
Cost: Members/MN Master Naturalists/Students $120 full workshop or a la carte $25/session or field trip; Nonmembers $200 or a la carte $35/session or field trip. Please note limited space is available. CLICK HERE for more info and registration! 
 
Raptorthon
Saturday, April 17th at West Skyline Spring Count (weather backup Sun. 4/18)
 
Spring has arrived and we're happy to be back counting all the migrating birds at the West Skyline Spring Count here in Duluth, MN! One of the ongoing events to mark this welcome of the spring migration is the annual Hawk Migration Association of North America (HMANA) Raptorthon event. The goal of the Raptorthon is for teams throughout North America to count the maximum number of raptor species within a 24-hour period of time, which raises funds for HMANA and their hawkwatch they choose to support. The funds raised are split between the participant’s hawkwatch site of choice and HMANA.
 
Frank and the Spring Counters will be holding the Raptorthon in support of Hawk Ridge on Saturday, April 17th (weather backup date of Sun. 4/18). To help sponsor Frank & his team, on behalf of Hawk Ridge & HMANA, please make your pledge by visiting: https://www.hmana.org/raptorthon/ and clicking on Frank’s team. You can find more info and pledge your support for this event by clicking HERE.
 
Upcoming FREE Virtual Events (Donations Appreciated!)
 
Keeping Wildlife Wild
Tuesday, April 13th 7-8pm
FREE Virtual Public Program via Zoom (registration required, donations appreciated)
CLICK HERE for registration info
 

Spring has sprung, and it is the beginning of that magical season when lots of wildlife babies are born in the natural world. It's a time of wonder, but also a time full of challenges for these newborn young and their parents. Have you ever wondered what to do if you find a baby bird or injured animal? Wildwoods Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Duluth, MN specializes in helping wildlife with a little intervention when things go wrong, before returning wildlife back to the wild. Join Wildwoods Nursery Manager Valerie Slocum as she reveals what is involved in Wildlife Rehabilitation, and what to do and what not to do if you encounter wildlife that might need a helping hand. Learn how we can all work towards keeping our wildlife wild. After registering at above link, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
 
Pick a Bird Brain - Neotropical Migrants (Spring has Sprung - Part 2!) 
Tuesday, April 20th 7-8pm
FREE Virtual Public Program via Zoom (registration required, donations appreciated)
CLICK HERE for registration info
 

Last month we launched the spring migration discussion during the first part of Spring has Sprung, while concentrating primarily on raptor species. This month we continue to follow the spring migration and move on to a world of other birds who are also making significant progress, as they migrate north to their traditional breeding places. The woods are getting nosier every day! We'll find out who and what are our neotropical migrants, which birds win long distance prizes, and who are the shorter movers and shakers.

Join Hawk Ridge Staff John Richardson and Margie Menzies on April 20, 2021 from 7- 8pm CDT for this Pick A Bird Brain Session: Neotropical Migrants (Spring has Sprung - Part 2)! Cost: Free Virtual Program (Donations Appreciated - Click HERE to donate - thank you!). Registration is required - CLICK HERE for registration.

 
Hawk Weekend Festival
September 17-19, 2021 (More info coming soon!)

Come and celebrate the fall bird migration with us! Hawk Weekend is the annual festival held by the Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory in Duluth, MN. It is a wonderful opportunity to showcase one of North America’s best places to experience the fall bird migration at Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve. There will be a variety of field trips, hikes, programs, and activities for all ages. More info coming soon!
 
Education Programs for Groups
 
Live virtual programs or small in-person group education programs are being offered by Hawk Ridge. If you have a group that’s interested in learning more about the amazing migration phenomenon at Hawk Ridge, we would love to share fascinating stories, science, and beautiful birds with you virtually or in-person at our West Skyline Spring Count or even perhaps at an off-site venue/location! To find out more about offerings, please contact Margie Menzies, mmenzies@hawkridge.com or 218-428-8722, for booking your program.
Click HERE for virtual program offerings. 
 
Ways of Giving
 
Become A Member Today!

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 join or renew online HERE!

Support Hawk Ridge by Shopping!

If you missed out on one of our fun shirt designs from a past season at our merchandise trailer, you might be in luck. You can order some of our past designs like this adorable Northern Saw-whet Owl by Alexa Carson and it's shipped directly to you! Order online HERE!

Two more simple ways to raise money for Hawk Ridge are by using charitable online shopping options. 1) You can shop online at your favorite stores through GoodShop and Hawk Ridge earns cash back! 2) If you like to shop on Amazon, you can add Hawk Ridge as your charity you support via Amazon Smile and Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory receives a donation of 0.5% of eligible purchases!

Simply Donate

You can always simply donate online by clicking HERE or by mailing a check made out to Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory, P.O. Box 3006, Duluth, MN 55803

 P.S. If you missed any of our recent previous newsletters, you can find them HERE.

 Thank you again for your wonderful gift of support!

Sincerely,

Janelle Long
Executive Director
Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory

Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory
P.O. Box 3006
Duluth, MN 55803-3006
Call: 218-428-6209
Contact: mail@hawkridge.org
Visit: www.hawkridge.org
Non-Profit Organization

Federal Tax ID 76-0746366