By Misi Stine, Environmental Educator and member of the MN Herpetological Society
In mid-September my good friend Angela and I went to Hawk Ridge Observatory in Duluth. I have visited multiple times, but this was Angela’s first. Although she frequents Duluth and the North Shore, she had never heard of the observatory before.
Peregrine Falcon. Andy Witchger, CC BY 2.0 <creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
I was very excited to share this Minnesota treasure with her and thought it would be a good time share more about it with you as well. What makes Hawk Ridge a unique place to visit in the fall? It is a rare place with a significant concentration of migrating birds. Hawk Ridge, as it currently exists, started in 1972. On average they see 60,000 raptors and vultures a year. According to hawkridge.org, twenty different species of raptors and vultures have been observed there over the years. Some of the species you can see are American kestrels, merlins, sharp-shinned hawks, broad winged hawks, rough legged hawks, eagles, and northern goshawks. Among the rarer species observed are the peregrine falcon, and gyrfalcons. The night experience is equally as impressive with a variety of owls passing through including the northern saw whet owl, the boreal owl and the long-eared owl. The peak migration and best time to visit is from mid-September to late October, so you will still have a little time left if you want to make a trip yet this season. On any given day, depending on conditions you can witness hundreds to thousands of birds at the Ridge.
Photo credit: Angela Scanlon
These birds concentrate in this area over Duluth as they migrate from the north, (as far north as the Artic) to their over-wintering grounds in the south (some as far south as South America). As they reach the shores of Lake Superior they decide not to cross the large body of water in front of them, but to follow the shore line until they reach Duluth where they continue south. Crossing a large body of water like Lake Superior is risky, there are not many places where they can land and rest and there is not much food to refuel on their long journey.
Hawk Ridge is currently involved in several research projects on the species that pass through, including an annual bird count and bird banding. The observation area is along the road, where there are official bird counters and naturalist to help the public learn more about what they are seeing and where they host educational programs. Simultaneously, the bird banding happens a short distance away in the woods outside of the view of the public. Researcher use mist nets to catch the birds as they fly in to grab what they think is an easy meal, when it fact what they see is a lure that looks like an injured bird. The birds are processed, which includes being measured, weighed and banded. For those birds that are not as stressed from the experience, they bring them up to the public viewing area and talk about the birds for a few minutes and then release it off the ridge.
Northfielder, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
I have worked with captive raptors for many years. These birds cannot be released due to a variety of medical issues. And although organizations that work with these birds try to give them the best life possible, it is not the same as being wild and free. It is spectacular and special to see these wild birds be released from the ridge. On average they band about 2,500 birds a year contributing to the body of knowledge on these species.
Photo credit: Misi Stine
Angela enjoyed her first trip to the Ridge and we are already talking about our next visit. Besides the fall migration, there are a few nights during the fall when they do owl specific programs, and there is also the less attended spring migration when those same birds return north. I hope you will make a visit to this Minnesota treasure; it is an amazing nature experience. Visit hawkridge.org to learn more and plan your visit.