Ridge Observatory Non-Profit P.O. Box 3006 Organization Taking Flight: News From The Ridge Duluth, MN 55803-3006 U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 1009 Spring/Summer Issue | 2010 Duluth, MN Peregrine by Julie O’Connor peregrines east of the Rocky Moun- tains. This was the result of DDT poi- soning by a process called bioaccum- lation; whereby toxins are accumulated in the falcon’s body in concentrations higher than those present in the en- vironment because the ’ food () are accumulating toxins through their food. So, the falcons aren’t eating Photo by michaelfurtman.com DDT directly, but are exposed to it in Peregrine Falcons. The fastest well-documented. the fatty tissue of the birds they eat. on the planet. They have been Peregrine Falcons are 16 to 20 DDT didn’t directly kill off and clocked at speeds over 250 miles per inches in height, with a wingspan be- falcons; it impedes the birds’ body from hour in their hunting dive, or stoop! tween 35 and 40 inches. They weigh utilizing calcium, causing them to lay They can survive g-forces that humans between 1.5 and 2.5 pounds; males with weak, porous or non-exis- can’t withstand. They are devoted par- are about 1/3 the size of females. tent shells. ents and mates, defending their young They hunt and eat birds (99% of their There are three different sub- against predators nearly four times diet), chasing, overtaking, surprising species of peregrines in North Amer- their own size. Modern jets share fea- and diving upon their prey in the air. ica; F. p. pealei (commonly called tures inspired by peregrines; the nose Pairs will often hunt cooperatively; Peale’s) that nest along the west coast Notes From The Director cone and adjustable wing are just two one bird fl ushing prey birds up into the of Canada and up into the Aleutian Is- examples of innovation based on the air, the mate selecting and pursuing lands of Alaska and don’t typically mi- By Janelle Long perfection of peregrine fl ight, and they the chosen target. They mate for life are the inspiration for ongoing avia- and return to the same nest site each Continued On Page 3 It’s diffi cult to hear the stories of the people and to see the pictures of the wildlife being affected fi rst- tion research. Their tears are thick and year, making it almost easy to monitor hand by the oil spill crisis in the Gulf Coast. The magnitude of the effect this will have on ecosystems won’t viscous to keep them from evaporat- them over time. They are quite noisy be fully understood until years later. This emphasizes the importance of long-term monitoring of bird popula- ing during their high speed fl ight. They and gregarious, especially during the INSIDE tions. The banding and count efforts of Hawk Ridge have been contributing to this type of long-term monitor- are perfection in the air! They thrive on courtship/breeding season. They de- ing for decades. We thank you for supporting these programs that are core to our mission and that continue every continent except Antarctica and fend territory vocally as well as with Hawk Migration Association of North to make a difference in bird conservation. have successfully adapted to every bi- fi erce physical attacks on intruders; America 2010 Conference p. 2 ome on the planet. the adults communicate vocally when We also thank donors and grant funders for making the special programs, projects, and events of Spring Monitoring p. 4 Peregrines have been revered the male is delivering food to the fe- Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory possible this spring and summer. We are happy to share with you the high- for thousands of years for their beauty male and chicks, and the chicks can Comments from the Board p. 4 lights in this newsletter. We look forward to this fall and hope to see you at Hawk Ridge to share in the migra- and prowess. In ancient times, they be deafening—their piercing cries for Hawk Ridge Early Days p. 5 tion with you! were the birds of royalty; kings and food can be heard from several hun- pharaohs possessed them, and in dred feet away! Get Involved p. 5 A special thanks to the following grantors and sponsors: some countries, commoners could be In the mid-1900s, researchers Peregrine Watch p. 6 Lloyd K. Johnson Foundation killed for owning birds “above their sta- became aware that, like Bald Eagles, tion.” Because they were such sought- Peregrine Falcon numbers were in se- Common Census 2009 p. 8 Donald M. Weesner Foundation after birds, people have been moni- rious decline in eastern North America, Spring Count p. 9 Duluth-Superior Area Community Foundation (Lone Wolf Fund) toring peregrines since ancient times, and by 1968, it was documented that Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (Nongame Program) and their nest sites have been there were NO nesting pairs of Hawk Ridge Stewardship p. 10 Natural Resources Research Institute Membership Information p. 11 Photos courtesy of michaelfurtman.com Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory Call: 218.428.6209 Hawk Ridge Birdathon p. 11 Radisson Hotel Downtown Duluth P.O. Box 3006 Contact: [email protected] Notes From The Director p. 12 12 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Duluth, MN 55803-3006 Visit: www.hawkridge.org 1 2010.2011 Board of Directors Membership Contribution Please Begin Renew Chairperson: My Hawk Ridge Membership Name Tim Bates Student (Vulture) $15 Address Individual () $30 Treasurer: City Family (Hawk) $50 Erica Sivertson State Sustaining (Owl) $100 Hawk Migration Association of North Zip Soaring (Harrier) $250 Secretary: America 2010 Conference Phone Supporting (Falcon) $500 Janet Green E-mail Steward () $1000 Additional Donation: In April, Hawk Ridge hosted the Hawk Migration Association of North I want to volunteer, please contact me Member: America (HMANA) conference. 81 people from 14 states and three coun- Check here if you’d like to be added to Help Fund Education Programs Frank Berdan tries attended the three day meeting at the Radisson Hotel in Duluth. Nineteen our e-mail list for Hawk Ridge $125 for a 4th Grade Hawk Ridge volunteers, staff and board members spent the weekend behind information and updates Outreach lesson: “Raptors in the Classroom” the scenes, pulling off the event without a hitch. MANY THANKS to those of WE DO NOT RENT, SELL, OR TRADE MAILING LISTS $175 for a 5th Grade Member: you dedicated your weekend to the Conference!! Lesson: “Experience Hawk Ridge” Steve Betzler Evening socials provided opportunities for raptor lovers to network Total Enclosed: $ $150 for the Yellow Bus Fund and get to know each other, and our daily scientifi c sessions shared the lat- Payment (circle): Cash or Check or Credit Card Help Fund Research (per day) est raptor research across North America. Topics included migration computer Type (circle): Visa or MasterCard Member: modeling/satellite tracking; habitat conservation; productivity cycles; migratory $125 Raptor Banding Cardholder Name: Ray Gamache routes; nesting habitat; lead poisoning; night-roosting surveys and nocturnal $80 Raptor Count migration. Our keynote speakers were Dr. Scott Lanyon of the University of Number: Exp. Date: $40 Owl Research Member: Minnesota, speaking about the Avian Tree of Life, and L. David Mech, discuss- Signature: $75 Songbird Banding Mark Martell ing his 50-year career studying wolves in North America. We offered daily fi eld trips for our attendees. The highlight of the week- end cooperative was seeing Great Grey and Northern Hawk in the Sax- Member: Zim Bog! Good science, good birding and good people are the recipe for an Gerald Niemi enjoyable, educational weekend, and we hit the jackpot for the HMANA confer- Help Us Meet Our Financial Obligations! ence. SEND FORM & PAYMENT TO: Member: Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory depends on the generous contributions made by Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory Robert Owens Coming Events! its members and friends. You’ll receive special member discounts and behind- P.O. Box 3006 the-scenes with tours as well as knowing these funds go to support education Duluth, MN 55803-3006 Member: and research. Your membership contribution is tax deductible! Please make Molly Thompson Hawk Weekend! checks payable to Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory. September 17-19 Executive Director: Come and celebrate the migration at our annual Janelle Long Hawk Weekend! Hawk Ridge Birdathon By Janelle Long Friday evening is “An Evening for Everyone,” including a social Eight teams participated in the 24th annual Hawk Ridge Birdathon in St. Louis County on Saturday May 22. Newsletter and refreshments, live birds, “Guess-the-Number-of- Contest,” Team “Gallivanting Gaviidae” defended their fi rst place title for the fourth year in a row. Dave Benson, Lars Benson, and a presentation by Kim Risen, naturalist, author, photographer, and John Ellis, Jesse Ellis, and Anya Illes counted 142 species, including Vesper Sparrows north of Meadowlands! tour leader. Risen will present on birding and nature in Aitkin County, Editing: In all, a grand total of 170 species were counted. Despite being the lowest total in 24 years, it was still a great Minnesota, from his award-winning book, titled Aitkin County, Natural- Ray Gamache day overall with some exciting sightings. Highlights included: Tundra Swan, Red-throated Loon, American White Peli- ly! Kim was the founder and publisher of NatureScape News, a tabloid can, American Avocet, Willet, the second recorded Northern Hawk Owl, Vesper Sparrow, and Connecticut Warbler (with news magazine emphasizing the FUN of birding, butterfl ying and the Design: a total of 23 Warbler species recorded this year). AAshley Lindsey wonders of nature. Saturday will offer a variety of fi eld trips and seminars away from Thank you to Eagle Optics, Wild Birds Unlimited, Kollath-Stensaas Publishing, Lake Superior Garden the Ridge, and hawkwatching, interpretive programs, banded hawk and Center, Kim Eckert, Mike Furtman, and Mike Hendrickson for your wonderful prize donations. We also sin- passerine demonstrations, optics displays, merchandise, and refresh- cerely thank all of the participants, pledge donors, and sponsors for your support in making this event pos- ments at the Hawk Ridge Main Overlook. Saturday evening offers a sible! Proceeds help benefi t the research & education programs of Hawk Ridge. Come out and join us in this social and refreshments, our annual member Continued On Page 7 fun fundraising event next year! 11 Peregrine Falcon Hawk Ridge Stewardship By Bob Owens continued The HRBO (Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory) has an agreement with the city of Duluth to manage the eastern grate long distances; F. p. anatum, most city green space known as Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve. This is approximately 360 acres of property, mostly de- that nest east of the Rocky Mountains fi ned by the boundaries of Amity Creek and East Skyline Parkway. to the Atlantic seaboard, from central The HRBO Stewardship Committee is directly responsible for the care, sustainability and maintenance of this latitudes of Canada to the middle very special and highly diversifi ed property within the city limits of Duluth. History would indicate that one time Mayor latitudes of the U.S.; anatum falcons Snively was building the Parkway next to Amity Creek, which would have given him better access to his farm north of typically migrate to the southern part the Creek. However, better minds prevailed to keep the road on the ridge as it follows the skyline in the western parts of the U.S., through Mexico and Cen- of the city. tral America and into northern South America; F. p. tundrius that nest in The Stewardship Committee works closely with the city forester and the Parks and Recreation Department. the arctic regions of North America There is a management plan in place that has been approved by the city. Keep in mind the HRBO asks for city approval and migrate to the southern third of of each major project undertaken, such as the erection of the observation platform that was completed in August 2009. South America. The current and ongoing projects are weed cutting and the treatment of buckthorn and wild honey suckle, both con- Because of these seasonal sidered invasive species preventing natural fl ora and fauna from taking root. The committee is always interested in movements (or not), pealei and tun- volunteers for keeping trails open and trimmed, stopping erosion, picking up litter from the public which seems to be a drius falcons were less impacted by city wide issue and taking out dead trees where they become a hazard near a trail or the parkway. DDT than anatum birds, who were Please call the HRBO offi ce (218-428-6209) or Bob Owens (218-349-8334), chair of the Stewardship Commit- exposed to farmland and human- tee, for a list of projects for volunteers to accomplish on their own or work with other volunteers. Remember this Natural populated areas (therefore DDT) dur- Reserve is used 12 months a year by people with various interests such as snowshoers, snowmobilers, bikers, hikers, ing both the summer and winter cy- sightseers, horseback riders, walkers, runners/joggers and people just walking or driving to enjoy the beauty of the cles of their lives. Pealei and tundrius area. Theodor Roosevelt once said, ”Do what you can with what you have and do it now.” We welcome your inquiries populations declined by an estimated and your assistance. 80 to 90%, while anatum birds were extirpated (regionally extinct). Spring Count to a total of 3,048 last year. last year. Peregrines were given fed- continued A total of 134 Common A total of 708 Purple Finches erally protected status in 1970, and Ravens was counted, including a peak was counted, including a peak of 679 became the focus of intensive resto- (compared to 1,622 last year), and 160 of 43 on March 18, (only 22 Common on April 5, (only 153 total last year). ration projects across North Ameri- Red-breasted Mergansers (compared Ravens were counted last year).Only No redpolls were counted, even ca. Through the extreme efforts and to 958 last year) were counted. 1,273 American Robins were counted, though 5,379 were counted last year; methods by researchers, falconers, A total of 4,604 Blue Jays was compared to 9,803 last year.Only 26 this species has biannual cycle, with conservationists and biologists, per- counted, including a record spring Yellow-rumped Warblers were seen this year obviously being the “off” year! egrines were reintroduced success- count of 2,525 on May 15, compared moving overhead, compared to 526 fully during the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. The birds responded well to Peregrine Watch vironmental issues in distant places. Peregrine Watch season and occa- these efforts, and there are now thou- continued I hope that through Peregrine Watch, sionally throughout the year. If you’d sands of peregrines throughout North we have encouraged people to help in like to read or subscribe to these up- America; several hundred thriving we’ve had songs sung to us about the the cleanup effort in any way they can. dates, visit our Peregrine Watch page in the Midwest, and dozens of suc- natural beauty of Duluth; I have a fal- We send out regular updates about at www.hawkridge.org/education/ cessful nest sites in Minnesota! Pere- con made from a piece of driftwood the lives of the falcons during our pw.html. See you in the park! grines were removed from the federal that someone shaped for me. People Endangered Species List in 1999, but are connecting to these birds in ways still remain under state protection na- that we can’t defi ne! While Peregrine tionwide. Watch provides education and inspi- We are fortunate to have ration, we have also seen a sense of three nesting pairs of falcons in Du- dread dawn on visitors as they real- luth. There are 16 to 20 nest sites on ize that “our” birds, ALL of our birds in cliffs overlooking Lake Superior be- Peregrine Falcon Photo by michaelfurtman.com Minnesota, are going to be migrating tween Duluth and Thunder Bay, and toward the Gulf of Mexico. The awful another 15 to 20 sites on the bluffs est to you, check out these websites: to watch peregrines is NOT at your horror of the oil spill DOES affect us overlooking the Mississippi River www.raptorresource.org or www.mid- computer…get outside, turn on your here in Duluth, and we’ve been able south of the Twin Cities. Urban birds, westperegrine.org or google “name eyes and ears, fi nd the falcons clos- to help people rec- nesting on buildings, ledges, bridges, of your town + peregrine falcon” and est to you and watch THEM. ognize that we do towers and smokestacks, account for you’ll fi nd them! There are webcams, It’ll be the best show you’ve have a stake in en- another 15-20 nests throughout Min- nest cams, videos, blogs and moni- ever seen! Peregrine Watch nesota. That’s a LOT of falcons in our toring reports from peregrine lovers visitors photo by all over the world—but the best way 10 michaelfurtman.com state! If you want to fi nd the birds clos- 3 Western Great Lakes Spring Count: Spring Owl Spring 2010 Migration Highlights By Karl Bradon From March 1-May 15, the A total of 4,526 Broad-winged swans was counted migrating Monitoring 2010 spring West Skyline Hawk Count was Hawks was counted including a peak overhead during the raptor count; this by Julie O’Connor conducted. This marks the eighth of 1,425 on May 4, and a dark morph compares to only 63 Tundra Swans In April, owl monitoring volunteers took to the year of offi cial full-time data for this individual on April 23. seen migrating overhead last year. An woods and roads around Minnesota to listen for breeding site. The total count of 14,992 raptors A total of 2,336 Red-tailed additional 900 Tundra Swans were owls calling in the night. As top predators of the food chain, this spring was the lowest thus far Hawks was counted with a peak of 301 seen sitting on Spirit Lake on April 4. owls are considered good indicators of environmental (average is 23,297). Counts of Osprey, on March 30, and a total of 22 dark Totals of only 145 Common Loons and health, making them important to monitor; however, there Sharp-shinned Hawk, Cooper’s Hawk, morph individuals during the season 9 Red-throated Loons were counted is a paucity of data about the abundance and population , Broad-winged (including single dark morph adult migrating overhead, compared to status for most owl species in the western Great Lakes Re- Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Rough- Harlan’s Hawks on March 28 and April 1,179 Common Loons and 218 Red- gion. There are currently few species of owls that are ad- legged Hawk, and 6). throated Loons last year. This does equately monitored using traditional survey methods such were all the lowest to date, while SPRING 2010 MIGRATION not include an additional 63 Red- as the Breeding Bird Survey and the Christmas Bird Count. counts of , Northern HIGHLIGHTS- NON-RAPTORS throated Loons counted sitting on For these reasons, the Western Great Lakes Region Owl Harrier, Red-shouldered Hawk and For the second consecutive Lake Superior on May 26. Monitoring survey was initiated in 2005. Peregrine Falcon were near average, spring, a non-raptor count was also A total of 972 American White and counts of both Bald and Golden done, similar to what I have done in the Pelicans and 522 Double-crested The survey objectives are to: Eagles were well above average. fall migration at Hawk Ridge. A total of Cormorants was counted migrating 1. Understand the distribution and abundance of owl spe- Counts of both Bald Eagles only 12,965 non-raptors was counted overhead, similar to counts of 1,066 cies in the region; (4,028) and Golden Eagles (80) were this spring, during both the offi cial and 934 respectively of these two 2. Determine trends in the relative abundance of owls in the second highest to date, including hawk count hours and during the early species last year. the region; an amazing fl ight of 679 Bald Eagles morning hours; this compares to a There was a very poor 3. Determine if trends are comparable in surrounding areas and 30 Golden Eagles on March 18. total of 34,479 non-raptors counted waterfowl migration. For example, only and analyze whether these trends could be scaled up or Three adult Red-shouldered Hawks last year using the same methodology! 73 Mallards (compared to 747 last year), down on the landscape; were seen: on March 31, April 11, and A total of 572 Tundra Swans, 8 51 scaup Continued On Page 10 4. Determine if there are habitat associations of owl spe- April 14. Trumpeter Swans, and 135 unidentifi ed cies in the region. American White Pelicans photo by michaelfurtman.com

This was the sixth year of collaborative effort be- tween HRBO, Natural Resources Research Institute, MN DNR and WI DNR to monitor owl populations. Existing Northern Hawk Owl photo by michaelfurtman.com Continued On Page 8 Comments From The Board By Jan Green, Secretary

Under a by-law change last year the membership of the Board of Directors was increased to 11-13 members. We welcomed Frank Berdan, retired 3M Strategy Manager and birder with a cabin on the North Shore, in January. In March, we welcomed Steve Betzler, account manager for Minnesota Power, with an extensive background in environmental education.

Unfortunately, Doug Lewis, expressing much regret, resigned in May. His many contributions to the board are deeply appreciated, as was a comment in this letter of resignation. “I think that HRBO is a great organization, and the resource it represents and seeks to protect is a treasure.”

As part of the budget planning process, the Board held a program prioritization session in March. Core programs were emphasized—fall raptor count and raptor banding; visitor education and site interpretation, including the annual September Hawk Weekend; Hawk Ridge site stewardship; volunteer coordination and recruitment; and classroom education.

The Board members are active on fi ve committees—education, stewardship, research, fundraising, and fi nance. If you have any suggestions or comments, please direct them to Tim Bates, chair, 4 [email protected]. 9 Hawk Ridge Early Days: An Interview with Molly Evans Common Nighthawk by Ray Gamache Census 2009 Knowing that Molly was one of that cleverly and stick together even even though I got off track when she By Carly Lapin and Gerald Niemi the founding members of HRBO and though it’s got to be enormously mentioned how it was Koni Sundquist never having met her, I anticipated the frustrating all that time and no goal.” who got her involved. interview with some trepidation. When I set up the digital “She’d be fun to talk to,” Molly As soon as I knocked on the microphone in front of her, she looked said. “She’s got good stories.” front door and was greeted by both at it with a wry smile on her face. Little did I realize that a pattern Molly and her dog Skipper, a beautiful “Good gracious, things are so fancy,” for the interview had been set, one in Golden Retriever, I felt more relaxed. she said. which my questions invariably brought When Molly invited me into her dining I could only confi rm her out remembrances featuring a cast of room and I noticed that she had estimation while making sure to get characters whose names I struggled the World Cup soccer game on her the microphone turned on properly. to keep up with. television, I began to feel somewhat Thankfully, I decided to take notes as “I can remember going up Common Nighthawk photo by michaelfurtman.com relieved. well. Things didn’t get better when I on the weekend, and Jack would be Common were est count was also is known about the fall migration of “Have you been watching the asked her to say and spell her name. listening to the football game,” Molly again counted in 2009 from the gar- observed on August 24! this species. We are planning to con- games?” she asked. “Molly…” she hesitated. said. “And there’d be maybe fi ve or den rooftop at the apartment building The total number of Common tinue this volunteer count of Common I told her about watching the “Evans…” she said, hesitating some ten other people on a weekend. It near the Lester River in Duluth. Com- Nighthawks counted in 2009 was Nighthawks in 2010. We thank Josh USA v. Algeria match the day before more with a look on her face that was wonderful. And Jack was writing mon Nighthawks are well-known Au- substantially more than the number Bednar, Paul Dolan-Linne, Cameron and how exciting the ending was when seemed to say, “You can spell that, down on the backs of envelopes one gust migrants along the North Shore observed in 2008 (a total of 2,514). Rutt, and Ed Zlonis for their participa- the USA, needing a victory, scored in can’t you?” She didn’t bother with the thing or another what we saw.” of Lake Superior and through Duluth. Weather patterns are likely associ- tion in the 2009 Common Nighthawk Extra Time. spelling, but always the journalism “Who’s Jack?” I had to ask. They are in the family Caprimulgi- ated with these large discrepancies counts. “I don’t see why people get teacher I spelled it out for her and she “Jack was darling,” she said, dae and are commonly referred to as in migration numbers, but overall little bored,” Molly said.. “I love ice hockey nodded affi rmatively. not providing me with his last name, ; the other member in for one thing, so this is…well, it’s If she thought I was a complete which I forgot to ask. “He was so the region is the Whip-poor-will. different but not that different. And dolt as this point, she didn’t let on. And wonderful with the kids. And he never Common Nighthawks are gen- I am so intrigued, being as broken thankfully my next question about seemed to mind that I took over what erally seen in the late afternoons and as I am, with anybody who can A) the origins of what became HRBO he’d been doing. That was just ducky. run that much, and B). use their feet elicited a more engaging response, So when evenings during summer catching Continued On Page 7 food on the wing above trees, water, and buildings. Their distinctive narrow wings with a white stripe, Want to Get Involved? erratic fl ight, and “peent” call are easily recognized. In recent years Hawk Ridge benefi ts from the skills, experi- Training session will be held in late August and early there have been concerns with ence and energy of our volunteers. We couldn't do September. Contact Julie O’Connor at joconnor@ declining nightjar populations, what we do without our incredible volunteers. hawkridge.org or 218-348-2291 for more informa- especially in the eastern United tion. States. Join us for the fall migration! A total of 21,926 Common Join in the North Shore Migration 2010! Nighthawks were counted between Each fall, our corps of volunteers makes the 4:30 p.m. and sundown during the pe- overlook a friendly, educational and inspirational The North Shore Migration crew will again riod from August 15 until Labor Day place to be. We want every single visitor to feel wel- be conducting migratory bird surveys from Duluth to (September 4, 2009) (Table 1). About come when they come to the Main Overlook, and Grand Portage, Minn., August-November 2010. All half the birds were counted on Au- our volunteers are right there, making sure that all are welcome to join the crew at their various obser- gust 24 when a spectacular migration visitors are greeted, given a brief orientation and vation sites or to keep up with the crew through an of 10,379 was counted within a few lent binoculars so they can make the most of their internet blog site. hours. Surprisingly, in 2008 the high- visit. In addition to helping Naturalists with public interaction, they work behind the scenes to keep our This blog and a crew location calendar will Owl Monitoring and randomly se- Volunteers listen passively for fi ve tact Julie O’Connor (joconnor@ program running smoothly by selling merchandise, be updated throughout the migration season for any- continued lected survey routes minutes at each survey station, tak- hawkridge.org or 218-348-2291) if helping organize our silent auction, working in our one interested in visiting or experiencing the migra- were used to con- ing down weather and habitat infor- you’d like to run a survey route in offi ce and working on projects. We truly couldn’t tion as the crew records it. Please visit the offi cial duct roadside surveys (once per mation at each station where owls western or southwestern Minnesota function the way we do without our volunteers! North Shore Migration website (www.hawkridge. route in early April) in Minnesota are heard and identifi ed. in 2011. org/research/nsm.html) or the research blog and Wisconsin. All survey routes There were 119 routes as- Data analysis is underway, Anyone can be a volunteer if you’re willing to (northshoremigration.blogspot.com) for the most consist of 10 survey points signed in Minnesota this year, with and the results will be available on learn, work hard and have a positive attitude. You updated information beginning in August. 8spaced one mile (~1.6 km) apart. 40 that still need volunteers. Con- the Hawk Ridge website this fall. don’t have to be a hawk ID expert—we’ll train you! 5 Molly Evans and pretty soon he’ll be doing osprey was the shredded wasp nest. I just felt Peregrine continued stuff…. Well, physically with a bird, sure he didn’t want to share.” Jack would get involved in listening he’s kind of magic, a hawk whisperer Molly would go on to explain Watch 2010 to the football game, I would keep if you will. I’ve watched a lot of people that the raven was probably after By Julie O’Connor track….” over the years handle raptors and grubs, and then Skipper yawned, Before I could catch up with I’ve never seen anybody quite like pulling us back to the present. But Thanks to the generous con- Jack [Hofslund], Molly was already him. He’s just really good and really only momentarily since Molly had a tributions from supporters, we were on to someone else. “And I think Jan interested and just loves it to the wonderful story of how she and David able to provide another season of wanted to get a little more organized exclusion of almost everything else.” had gotten Skipper. Peregrine Watch to passers-by in and casually dropped that that would “Say no more,” I said. We watched a little of the downtown Duluth. For those unfamil- be a good idea,” she said. As we were fi nishing up the soccer as I packed up the microphone, iar with Peregrine Watch, we have a Being on the board, I know interview, Molly noticed something and I thanked her for giving me the family of Peregrine Falcons that nest who Jan Green is, thankfully. “I guess outside. “The crows are after interview. “Oh, you’re welcome,” in a structure on the side of a promi- I haven’t said a lot about Jan. It was something,” she said. she said and mentioned she’s been nent building in downtown Duluth, the her idea to save this area because Suddenly she was back on the interviewed several times. “And what Greysolon Plaza Building, formerly her forte is the legal stuff.. And she Ridge. “That’s the other neat thing I ends up in the papers is always the the Hotel Duluth. Naturalists set up named Hawk Ridge, which was better saw up there. I was with Burnette absolute dumbest thing I said.” spotting scopes and electronic moni- than Hawk Hill, because it is a ridge, Hojnacki, and this fl ock of ravens fl ew I told her I’d try not to let that tors (there is a camera inside the not a hill. A cool ridge.” by. Flock…like maybe ten or twelve happen. nestbox) along the Lake Walk and By the time Molly started ravens fl ew by. They got down not To read the full interview, teach about the lives of these falcons Peregrine chicks in nestbox photo by michaelfurtman.com talking about “…nice Kim, who was as far as that fi rst overlook, and one please go to www.hawkridge.org/ as they raise their young. This year we had four chicks again. Peregrine Watch is an inspi- wonderful to work with…” my head came back. And then I could hear about/news.html Funding issues forced us to All four chicks fl edged, but one didn’t rational program for us. We often was spinning. this scratching sound. He’d seen a survive his fi rst day away from the have a mix of people at our scopes wasp nest, and I assume he was not Pictured from left to right are the Hawk Ridge cut the program by 75% this year, but “What was his name?” I had to Pioneers: Joel Bronoel, Ole Finseth, Molly even so, we were able to share the nest; he fl ew into a building and died. that would never come together oth- ask. going to share it. I don’t know why Kohlbry (now Evans), Martha Green, Jan falcons with nearly 2,000 people. The It’s easy to forget that these birds face erwise—stock brokers and street mu- Sensing my dismay, Molly he’d come back all by himself. And Green, John Green, and in back over the sign response that people give when they the harsh struggles of being a wild sicians; bankers and pre-schoolers; explained who Kim is. “Kim Richard then we went down to look, and there Wilbur . look through the scope and see a fal- animal! Though they don’t have the tourists and hooligans. It’s a thrill to Eckert, I notice he’s been using,” she con chick being fed by its mother is same struggles as birds nesting on see them interacting about the fal- said. priceless! These birds are like a jewel cliffs along the North Shore of Lake cons and sharing a moment of joy as Whenever the interview turned in the crown of Duluth, and once peo- Superior, they are still living the young birds practice their fl ight back to the people with whom she’d ple take note, they can’t believe the on the edge of survival. We hate to skills directly over our heads. spent time on the Ridge with, it was beauty and magnifi cence the birds see them perish, but it’s better for us Peregrine Watch is described as she were experiencing things all possess. to know when, where and how they as an educational program, but it’s over again. “And then silly Koni. She The Greysolon Plaza nestbox meet their demise than to have no in- more than that. I get handwritten po- knew David Evans long before I did has produced 28 young since 2003. formation at all. etry handed to me about the birds; because she was a passerine bander. Continued On Page 10 So she was very interested in what Education Stories David was doing. It was a huge part of by Debbie Waters my life. And not mine personally now, although since Dave is the raptor Sarah was shocked, pleased “Sarah! We found a PHOEBE!” classrooms, respectively. That means bander I seem to…suffer from that and even a little misty-eyed. After And that’s just what almost 2,000 students had a personal too,” she said breaking into laughter. spending two days per week working Discovering Birds is intended to do: experience with birds in 2010, whether When I asked if she felt like a with me on our new fi eld trip program, introduce kids to the birds in THEIR through a chickadee in the hand or raptor widower, she laughed again. Discovering Birds, she had just world. Through a fi eld trip experience, an impressive education Red-tailed “And a lot more. Yesterday he was experienced the impact we had on our third grade students participated in a Hawk visiting their classroom. The up the shore doing peregrine stuff. In students. While working her “other” songbird banding research project. effects are long lasting: our students the winter he does snowy owl stuff, job as the volunteer coordinator at the Using the scientifi c method, they fi nd us days, weeks, or even years Lake Superior Zoo, Sarah was walking explored a question and sought the later and recount to us not only what They Tell Us About The Health of Our All activities at the Hawk Ridge through the zoo grounds and heard answer. They learned the songs and Hawk Weekend they learned, but what a special continued Planet.” Main Overlook are open to the public; an Eastern Phoebe. Upon rounding calls of their neighborhood birds, experience it was for them. meeting, a fabulous sustainable din- Dr. Bowerman has been everything else requires registration. a corner, she was immediately noting that the songs were easier to It’s special for us, too, to be ner, awards, a silent auction, and a studying ecology and ef- For more details about Hawk spotted by a group of remember when paired with lyrics. able to share our love and passion keynote address by Dr. William Bow- fects of environmental pollutants in Weekend, go to www. kids also listening to and And they had FUN! So did we. for birds with this new generation. erman, Professor of Wildlife Ecology the Great Lakes region since 1984. hawkridge.org or contact watching the phoebe. Through our grant-funded Thanks to Julie O’Connor and Sarah and Toxicology at Clemson University. Sunday will offer a variety of us at 218.428.6209 or These former Discovering Raptors in the Classroom in the winter Glesner, who helped pilot our fi rst His presentation is titled, “Sea Eagles fi eld trips and activities at the Hawk [email protected]. Birds students recognized and Discovering Birds in the spring, year of Discovering Birds. as Environmental Messengers–What Ridge Main Overlook. her and yelled excitedly, we were able to reach 38 and 25