Notes from the Ridge: Fall Migration Count 2023 (September 11 - September 20)

Fall migration along Hawk Ridge 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 "A Farewell to Summer", 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: where the fabric of migration feels more and more tangible with each sunrise and sunset.

September 11 began with the excitement of an incredibly close SHORT-EARED OWL (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 BLUE JAY migration along the shore line and Ridge continued with 6651 migrants recorded throughout the day, as well as another migrant BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKER (!) and an earlier arriving migrant DARK-EYED JUNCO for the fall season. Several hundred SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS (480) 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.

A southbound SHORT-EARED OWL migrating low over the Ridge in the late morning hours on September 11 (Photo: Jess Cosentino)

 

 

 

The following day (September 12) 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 SHARP-SHINNED HAWK 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 448 in just a few hours along the Ridge and shore. In addition, the first noticeable push of BROAD-WINGED HAWKS (525) 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 PINE SISKINS (484) 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 AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS passed along the lake shore, totaling 172 by the end of the count! Beyond the birds, today also marked the arrival of long-time HRBO volunteer and friend - Russ Edmonds (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!

Large group of AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS migrating along the lake shore while passing the Ridge on September 12 (Photo: Jess Cosentino)

The robust BLUE JAY migration momentum remained consistent through September 13 with another near five-digit daily total (9466) as well as another migrant BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKER (a life-bird for Russ!), The following day (September 14) ushered in another Black-backed down the Rige as well as four other migrant woodpecker species on the day: The largest NORTHERN FLICKER flight (17) on the season to date and another RED-HEADED WOODPECKER, 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 CLAY-COLORED SPARROW of the fall to the feeders near the count platform as well as the first southbound PHILADELPHIA VIREO.

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)

September 15 marked the kick-off to the Annual HRBO Hawk Weekend Festival! 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 (11 species), 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 (September 16) 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 BROAD-WINGED HAWK kettles pulsed through the skies for hours as 4601 made passage over the day. Migration highlights included: (1) the largest SHARP-SHINNED HAWK (1412) and AMERICAN KESTREL (281) day counts of the season-to-date (first four-digit day count of the fall for this species), (2) a continuation of great PINE SISKIN (1154) and PURPLE FINCH (806) movement down the shore, (3) with a BLACK-BILLED MAGPIE (!) mixed in with the five-digit BLUE JAY day count (10540)(!!!), (4) and the first good push of earlier migrant RED-TAILED HAWK (37) movement this fall. A very genuine sign of gratitude to both Frank Nicoletti and Stephen Nelson for assisting with covering the count during these two days.

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)

 

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)

September 17 saw the first large groups of LAPLAND LONGSPUR (169) 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 SHARP-SHINNED HAWK (600) movement remained steady, the migration highlight on the day was: BLUE JAYS! The 9th blue jay day count on the season-to-date exceeding four-digits (two of those being five-digit counts: September 10 and 16) pushed steadily down the shoreline and ridge throughout the day. This day was also special as it broke the previous HRBO site record for Blue Jays counted in a day, which was set last year (2022) at 60,523! 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.

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)

The next day (September 18) brought the first migrant SNOW GEESE of the season as a small group of birds passed high along the Ridge, while another BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKER and five-digit BLUE JAY (1412) day count pushed south along the tree lines. September 19 brought more east winds which did not promote tremendous raptor movement; however, several hundred SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS (201) did move while BLUE JAY (2351) numbers remained consistently high. 

 

SNOW GEESE migrating directly over the Ridge on September 18 (Photo: Jess Cosentino)

Southeast winds persisted into September 20 yet saw a trio of PEREGRINE FALCONS push into the moderate headwinds while BLUE JAYS (1429) continue to pass as small, spaced out dots on the skyscape - a dynamic game of connect-the-dots fluttering down the shore line with flapping, emphatic wingbeats and cacophonous chatter.

 

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.

PEREGRINE FALCON migrates along the west side of the Ridge with a full crop on September 20 (Photo: Jess Cosentino)

 

 

Follow the HRBO count daily here at: https://www.trektellen.org

 

Jess Cosentino

Lead Counter 

The following photos were taken during the HRBO count between September 11-20 (Photos by Jess Cosentino):

American Kestrel, September 11

Northern Harrier, September 14

 

Bald Eagle, September 18

Osprey, September 18

Broad-winged Hawk, September 19

Merlin, September 19

RED-TAILED HAWK migrates directly over the count platform on September 20

SHARP-SHINNED HAWK, September 20

SHARP-SHINNED HAWK, September 20

A buck WHITE-TAILED DEER walks below the count platform along the overlook roadway late in the evening just before sunset on September 20

Notes from the Ridge: Fall Migration Count 2023 (September 1 - September 10)

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.

 

 The 2023 Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory (HRBO) 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, September 2, 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 154 ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK (!!!) being counted passing along the Ridge and lake shore throughout the morning into the early afternoon hours and (2) 10 RED-HEADED WOODPECKERS (New HRBO site record) following similar ridge flight lines throughout the morning, (3) 3468 Unidentified warbler species (16 identified species), and (4) 2292 CEDAR WAXWING. While the raptor flight did not gain similar momentum throughout the late morning into the afternoon, this morning count was quite incredible.

Red-headed Woodpecker flying past the Ridge on September 2

The following Monday September 4 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: "MISSISSIPPI KITE OVER THE RIDGE!". 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!)

Mississippi Kite passing low along the Ridge on September 4

 

September 6 brought a cold front with precipitation during the morning hours; however, once the rain broke, a steady stream of earlier southbound CANADA GEESE continued to push south along the lake shore with 2077 migrants tallied by the end of the count.

September 8 saw the first migrant BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKER 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.

The first migrant Black-backed Woodpecker of the Fall 2023 season on September 8

 

 

September 9 brought the first noticeably large BLUE JAY on the season, with 8375 passing southward along both the lake shore and Ridge throughout the count period; however, the following day (September 10) ushered in an incredible flight of migrant birds. With north winds blowing, a distant SHORT-EARED OWL pushed down the shore in the moments following sunrise while an absolutely unreal BLUE JAY flight of 14054 (!!!) passed southward during the count period as well as a pair of BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKERS. The first larger kettles of BROAD-WINGED HAWKS of the fall (431 total throughout the day) began to pour out of the north, while two SWAINSON'S HAWK (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 SHARP-SHINNED HAWK (963) and AMERICAN KESTREL (218) 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 BROAD-WINGED HAWK 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. 

 

 Follow the HRBO count daily here at: https://www.trektellen.org  

 

Jess Cosentino 

Lead Counter 

Swainson's Hawk passing along the Ridge on September 10

Hatch-year Bald Eagle heading south along the Ridge on September 8

Osprey passing overhead on the Ridge on September 8

 

Hawk Ridge News - September 2023

 

 

Dear Hawk Ridge Friends,

 

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 HERE.  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 HERE and HawkCount HERE. 

Please note registration for our annual Hawk Weekend Festival 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. 

P.S. If you missed our last e-newsletter, you can view that and older versions by clicking HERE. 

August 2023 Bird Migration Count Summary

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. 

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. 

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 

Jess Cosentino 

Lead Counter

August 2023 Raptor Banding Summary

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. 

A total of 12 raptors were banded during August. The totals are as follows:

Sharp-shinned Hawk-7

Red-tailed Hawk-2

Merlin-2

Broad-winged Hawk-1

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.

Frank Nicoletti

Senior Research Associate

August 2023 Passerine Banding Summary

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. 

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. 

Our top ten species for the month were: #1- American Redstarts: 173, #2- Nashville Warblers: 94, 

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. 

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!

David Alexander and Margie Menzies

Lead Passerine Banders

Summer 2023 Hawk Ridge Education Report

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! 

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!

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!

Margie Menzies

Education Director

Upcoming Events

Hawk Weekend Festival

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! 

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 pre-registration is required for this event. 

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 From Canada to Colombia: Broad-winged Hawk Migration and Ecology as part of our  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. (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 "Hawk Mountain’s 90 years of raptor migration monitoring: scientific value of long-term data" - no cost to attend)

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 online registration HERE 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! 

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

SCHEDULE YOUR PROGRAM

PROGRAMS AND EVENTS

Whole Foods Co-op Duluth, MN

Hawk Ridge is the September GIVE! Recipient! 

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 video here to learn about Hawk Ridge and what your round-up donation helps support! 

Thanks to WFC for selecting Hawk Ridge as the non-profit to support as part of your GIVE! program this month! 

Evening Owl Programs

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. Click HERE for more info.

Saturday evening public programs:

September 30th & Oct. 21st at 8pm

Tickets limited (click HERE to register); $10 member/student or $15 nonmember

Small group owl programs (up to 8): 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.

Everyone Can Bird: Accessible Birding Series

Saturday, 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 Saturday, October 14th at Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve! 

Registration is encouraged, but not required by clicking HERE for the event (event is FREE). 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. 

International Birding Trip 

Ecuador - Birding the Choco-Andes Region

February 25th - March 5th, 2024 

(with optional post-trip extension March 5th-9th Ecuador - Birding the Amazon Rainforest)

REGISTER HERE TODAY! (registration closes 11/22/23)

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.

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.

Continue your unforgettable birding adventure with Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory in the Ecuadorian Amazon, 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.

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. 

Don’t miss this incredible experience! Space on this trip is limited to 12 and registration closes November 22, 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!

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!

 

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. 

Big Frog (direct ship or pick up at Duluth store)

Bonfire (direct ship)

The Mug Experience (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.

Thank you again for your wonderful gift of support! Hope to connect with you again soon!  

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