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