Dear Hawk Ridge Friends,
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 HERE and HawkCount HERE 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).
P.S. If you missed our last e-newsletter, you can view that and older versions by clicking HERE.
Upcoming Events
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.
Tues. June 6th, 7:00 pm (virtual program - pre-register HERE)
What Have We Learned from Fifty Years of Fall Raptor Counts at Hawk Ridge?
By Dr. Gerald Niemi
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.
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 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.
Cost: Free (donations are always appreciated!)
Tues. June 20th, 7:00 pm (in-person)
UMD Life Science Building Room 175
Loon Lessons: Uncommon Encounters with the Great Northern Diver
By Dr. James Paruk
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!
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 Hawk Ridge YouTube Channel.
P.S. If you missed the last Pick a Bird Brain virtual events you can view recordings below:
Using DNA Metabarcoding to Study the Diet of Raptors during Migration by Lisa Brouellette (April 18th)
Periodic Invasions of Northern Goshawks by Dick Green (March 21st)
The Forever Chemicals: What Do We Need to Know About Their Effects on Birds and How Will We Learn It? by Matt Etterson (Feb. 23rd)
The Secrets that Feathers Hold: Using Feathers to Trace Migration by Emily Pavlovic (Jan. 24th)
Lake Superior Art Glass
Design Your Own Hummingbird Feeder
June Only! 5% Of Each Designer Feeder Will Be Donated to Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory
Summer Master Naturalist Course
Saturdays June 10, June 24, July 8, July 22, and Aug 12
LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER!
.jpg "Canada Warbler (E Bruhnke)")
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. Register HERE today under our Events tab at hawkridge.org. Space is limited to 22 participants and registration closes once filled. Please contact Margie Menzies at mmenzies@hawkridge.org or 218-428-8722 with questions. We hope to see you there!
Everyone Can Bird: Accessible Birding Series
Sat. Wed. August 2nd, Sat. October 14th
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!
The next event will be held Wednesday, August 2nd at Barker's Island. More info/registration coming soon.
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.
Plan Your Fall Visit to Hawk Ridge
September 1st - October 31st, 2023
Daily 9am-4pm
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:
PLAN YOUR VISIT
DIRECTIONS
LODGING
PROGRAMS AND EVENTS (more coming soon!)
Sept. 15th-17th, 2023
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!
We are happy to announce Dr. Laurie Goodrich, Hawk Mountain Sarkis Acopian Director of Conservation Science, will be joining us as our keynote speaker. She will present From Canada to Colombia: Broad-winged Hawk Migration and Ecology. 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.
Registration and more info coming soon!
Hawk Ri
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.
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.
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.
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.
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. REGISTER HERE today! Questions? Contact Debbie Sturdivant Jordan at 866-748-6146 or debbie@holbrooktravel.com, or Margie Menzies mmenzies@hawkridge.org. Hope to see you in October!
2022 Research & Education Summary Reports
Here are the links to our 2022 fall research and education summaries:
Fall 2022 Bird Migration Count Summary (raptor count totals HERE)
Fall 2022 Raptor Banding Summary
Thank You for Your Support!
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!
Support Hawk Ridge by Shopping!
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:
Big Frog (direct ship or pick up at Duluth store)
The Mug Experience - 50th mug (direct ship)
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!
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.
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
501(c)3 Non-Profit Organization
Federal Tax ID 76-0746366
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