Debbie’s Farewell Party Taking Flight: News From The Ridge 2012 On Saturday April 14th, we wished Debbie (Waters) Petersen all the best on her Board of Directors new journey post- Ridge. Over 50 were in attendance to celebrate, roast, Spring/Summer Issue | 2012 and say good-bye. Debbie will be teaching secondary life science in Walker, MN Chair: this fall. She has established a great education foundation for Hawk Ridge. We Golden by Mark MartellRidge Karen Stubenvoll thank her for her 11 years of hard work and dedication. Golden (Aquila chrysaetos) in North America are primarily found in the west- Treasurer: ern United States and Canada from Alaska south into north-central Mexico. Historically, small Molly Thompson breeding populations also occurred in eastern North America from Canada south into the U.S. through the Appalachian and Adirondack Mountains, but currently are found only in Canada. There are no breeding records from any upper Mid- Secretary: western state. Jan Green A very large raptor, Golden Eagles have brown plumage which in the adults is complemented by a golden crown and gray bars on the tail. Juveniles have plumage similar to the adults but with whit at the base of the secondaries and inner primaries and a large patch of white on the tail. Golden Eagles are typically birds of hilly or mountainous open coun- Member: try. However in Eastern North America they are found in forested areas that have small openings which the birds use for David Alexander hunting. This eagle feeds mainly on medium sized mammals such as hares, rabbits, squirrels and prairie dogs. They will take larger birds and will also feed on carrion. Member: Records of Golden Eagles during fall migration over Hawk Ridge date back to 1951. From 1951 – 1963 a total Tim Bates of 24 Golden Eagles were counted with annual counts varying between 0 – 7 per year. Hawk counts during that period however were usually limited to September and early October so many birds may have been missed as the bulk of the Member: birds migrate over Hawk Ridge from mid-October through November. Since the 1990’s fall counts have ranged between John Baumgarten 115 – 223 birds annually. Spring counts done by Hawk Ridge also show a regular northward migration of Golden Eagles, although smaller in number. Winter surveys done in southeastern Minnesota and southwestern Wisconsin reveal a regu- Member: lar wintering population in that area that numbers around 100 birds. Martha Markusen Golden Eagles are majestic and exciting to see. We encourage you to visit Hawk Ridge in late fall to have an en- Debbie (Waters) Petersen (left) being roasted by Janelle Long (center) and Julie O’Connor (right) counter with this fascinating species. Member: at farewell party, photo by Erik Bruhnke Mark Martell

Debbie’sINSIDE Farewell p. 2 Member: Comments From The Board Gerald Niemi Comments From the Board p. 2 By Karen Stubenvoll, Chair Fall Education Preview p. 3 Member: Hawk Ridge Internship p. 3 Welcome back to another season of Hawk Ridge! Each year in Au- Robert M. Owens gust, enjoying the warm south breeze with a trickle of early migrating Meet the New Education Director p. 4 Sharp-shinned , it seems like we have all the time in the world; Peregrine Watch p. 5 Member: then cold November is here before you know it, with views overhead Andrew Streitz of Golden Eagles and Rough-legged Hawks. In between, there will Raptors in the Classroom p. 5 be a constant flow of raptors, songbirds, visitors, naturalists, counters, Fall Research Preview p. 6 Executive Director: banders, and volunteers at the Hawk Ridge overlook. Passerine Banding p. 6 Janelle Long Since last fall, we have been busy with various activities such as a vol- West Skyline Hawk Count 2012 p. 7 unteer spring hawk count, committee meetings, and trail maintenance; then our Big Day: the St Louis County Birdathon which was held on Spring Owl Monitoring p. 7 May 19, and was a great deal of fun! I hope some of you also made Stewardship Notes p. 8 Newsletter a visit downtown for Peregrine Watch, to see the four chicks and two parents at the Greysolon building through the scopes with our two Hawk Ridge Birdathon p. 8 Editor: naturalists on duty. Volunteer Voices p. 9 Janelle Long We are posting regular updates on Facebook and Twitter. Our Face- Become a Volunteer p. 9 book address is www.facebook.com/HawkRidgeDuluth. Our Twitter Design: Upcoming Events p. 10-11 address is @Hawk_Ridge. So follow or “like” us to get news about the photo by Erik Bruhnke Ashley Lindsey latest happenings. Summer Social p. 12 Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory Call: 218.428.6209 In Memory p. 13 On behalf of the Hawk Ridge Board of Directors, I want to express my appreciation to all our hard-working volunteers, along with our dedi- P.O. Box 3006 Contact: [email protected] HRBO History p. 14 cated staff. I also want to thank you for your membership and your Duluth, MN 55803-3006 Visit: www.hawkridge.org Planned Giving p. 14 2 support. I hope to see you up at the Ridge this fall! Fall Education Preview By Gail Johnejack Meet the New Education Director: Gail Johnejack The baton has been handed off! Debbie (Waters) Petersen moved on and will be challenging high school sci- I am so excited to be here! to me that I wanted to be ence students while I enter my own challenge of being the new Education Director. Thankfully, Julie O’Connor will be I am grateful for this opportunity to part of that. So Heidi and returning as Operations Director and Volunteer Coordinator. She is delighted that she will be at the Ridge more this work with wonderful, passionate and I went together, her learn- season than last, when she was managing the conference. Be sure to visit with her this year, as she too, will be moving skilled people who care about birds ing in one classroom, me on to new things next year. I am grateful for a season of overlap with her. We will have time to mix the old with the new and our community. I look forward teaching in the other, and and find a new normal with different faces. to building on what Debbie (Waters) we both loved it. We hiked Our main focus this year at the Ridge is to do what works. We will again have owl evenings and continue to give Petersen and others have created. every day. We explored, raptor and other programs to groups from young to not so young. There are already programs on the schedule that I have been learning out- played, and sang. We include Elderhostel and college ecology classes. We will be contacting teachers when school starts to begin scheduling side since, well, forever! My Mom taught them to touch with the 5th grade Experience Hawk Ridge and other field trips. If you have or know of a group that might be interested in a was my mentor. She inspired me. only two fingers and look private program at the Ridge, be sure to give me a call and I’ll get them on the schedule. She taught me flowers, birds, trees, with careful eyes. I helped We will be trying a few new things, too. We are planning some activities for young people including: “Make Your everything she could about nature. In kids gain knowledge, abili- Own Binoculars” for preschoolers and a Junior Birder booklet for elementary aged visitors. We will also have increased high school, she wondered about my ties and confidence. I had passerine banding, which is always a hit with young and old. future. I liked nature and history but… so much fun, and I felt so There will be a mix of new staff and returning staff, including Naturalist, Margie Menzies, and Count Interpreter, I didn’t want to teach. That’s what she incredibly lucky. Gail Johnejack catching crawfish - new Education Director for Hawk Ridge, photo by Mark Hummel Erik Bruhnke. We will also have a group of substitute naturalists who can fill in for others in time of need or when things did. In high school, you can’t be like Then we moved. are really busy. We will likely see many familiar naturalist faces from years past during Hawk Weekend when they come your Mom. I got involved in our little So, what do I envision for to help out. It can be hard to stay away when the raptors fly! I earned a natural resource community and did environmental Hawk Ridge as I step into this role? We look forward to your visit, and to spending time with you as we all enjoy the view of the lake, and the migration degree. I was a counselor for the education as best I could with lim- First and foremost, I want to maintain of these incredible birds! Youth Conservation Corp. I was a ited opportunities. I was a substitute and build upon the system and pro- hydrologist working with water quality teacher at school and I chaperoned grams that are in place. Great effort door Recreation and Environmental Meet Hawk Ridge Intern: Katie Swan- for the US Forest Service. I helped field trips. I developed and taught and love went into creating an educa- Hawk Ridge Internship Education program, and Hawk Ridge son write land management plans and Youth Gardening for the summer tion program that works, and I want it By Julie O’Connor has been fortunate to benefit from the spent summers in the field. But Parks and Recreation program. I was to continue. I want to add activities for We are pleased to introduce internship requirement of this pro- My name is Katie Swanson something didn’t feel quite right. I a Scout leader. But really, I dreamed children that visit with their families Katie Swanson to our membership gram. In 2008, Brittnie and Mariah (recently married and changed from went horticulture school for a year. It of going back to school to train for en- on weekends. I would like to evaluate this fall. Katie is our Naturalist Intern were interns with Hawk Ridge as a Borg). I grew up in Rochester, Min- was fun, but that wasn’t it either. vironmental education. school programs in a systematic way. for this summer and fall, and has al- part of this program, and Katie is also nesota and moved up to Duluth in the Next came kids. I showed I researched Environmental This will help us learn better what is ready proven to be a great addition finishing her degree by interning with summer of 2007. I attended school them everything I knew about natural Education programs and cool places working and how we can improve. to our team. Thanks to the Lloyd K. us. at UMD and I’m doing my internship things outside, as my Mom had done to live, and we arrived in Duluth in Second, I want to support and build Johnson Foundation for making this The internship requirement to complete my bachelor’s degree in with me. We marveled at snakes July, 2009. I was in the EE program upon our community relationships so internship possible. is that the students spend 600 hours Outdoor and Environmental Educa- with bulging bellies of mouse. We at the University by September. I that Hawk Ridge becomes an even The University of Minnesota working for an institution associated tion. watched chrysalises turn into mon- went to school part time, parented more integral part of Duluth. Maybe Duluth (UMD) has a world-class Out- with recreation, outdoor and/or en- I chose Hawk Ridge as a archs. We fed and watched birds. and discovered Hawk Ridge. I volun- someday people will even say “Lift vironmental education. Katie place for my internship because of my I taught neighbors about migrating teered and thought, “How cool to be Bridge and Hawk Ridge” in the same worked with me during Peregrine keen interest in birds and past expe- birds and gave gardening classes to carrying a hawk in a can!” I finished sentence! Third, I want to be able to Watch, and will be on staff as a riences of working and volunteering their kids. It turns out that environ- school the following year and became say ‘Yes’ to requests for programs or Naturalist this fall. In addition to here. I volunteered at Hawk Ridge for mental education was, and is, in my a naturalist at the Ridge, and thought, mentoring that sometimes we say ‘no’ these positions, she is helping two years previous and developed a blood. My Mom would smile. “How cool to handle the raptors and to because of funding constraints. with all of the pre-season prepa- strong connection with the organiza- When my daughter, Heidi, help people experience these amaz- Fourth, well… not right now. This is ration, attending planning/com- tion. Interning at Hawk Ridge offers was 4, I heard that the nearby Schlitz ing birds!” Now, I am the Education plenty to keep me busy for a while! mittee meetings and is involved unique experiences from working as a Audubon Nature Center was starting Director and I marvel at my good Thank you so much for this with the administrative and hu- Naturalist and being a public face as a nature preschool. It was very clear fortune. opportunity! See you at the Ridge! man resource conversations. well as being involved with the inner Our commitment to UMD and Ka- workings of a non-profit organization. Internship vidual research project. By working as a new program. All of the experiences tie is that we will invest ourselves Seeing both sides of an organization continued a naturalist, participating at meetings, and skills I am developing are things in her education and provide her is very beneficial for gaining different For this reason, Hawk Ridge is a great learning the administrative process, that fit in with my career goals. I see with a quality learning experience skills that will be needed in my career. fit for fulfilling my internship require- and helping train new volunteers and myself working at places like Hawk about all the functions of a small ments. I am required to work 600 staff will provide that experience. I am Ridge throughout my career. I will use Continued On Page4 non-profit organization. hours at a place that sup- working on a special project of devel- the skills I am developing here to help ports a variety of experi- oping a junior birding guidebook to further my career. By seeing all sides ences. The suggested fulfill my research project. This proj- of an organization, I am gaining expe- experiences are teaching, ect is interesting to me and will help riences that will help me in future job Katie Swanson (Naturalist Intern) with Julie O’Connor at Peregrine Watch, administrative, assess- in my career path as an educator. It positions, whether it is teaching, work- photo by Steve Kuchera 3 4 ment and doing an indi- will also help Hawk Ridge implement ing in operations, or administration. have names or band numbers for the them ended up down on Superior Peregrine Watch youngsters this year. Street, needing a ride back up to the Fall Research Preview by Julie O’Connor That didn’t dampen our fun, building. All of them remained visible By Janelle Long though! We set up every day from 10 and accounted for every day during August 15th marked the start Peregrine Watch 2012 was am to 2 pm in Lake Place Park and the first THREE WEEKS after they of the 41st fall season of the raptor another great success from the shared these birds with people pass- fledged! As of the end of our pro- count and raptor banding! We have a perspective of Hawk Ridge AND the ing by. The enthusiasm, knowledge gram (July 7), all four chicks were still great staff line-up. Leading the count family that we watch and teach and interest that we see as a result alive and flying (and landing) strong. efforts for his 6th fall season is Karl about in downtown Duluth! Four of this program is really encouraging. It is unusual for us to be able to Bardon. He will be assisted by Cory chicks hatched in early May, and we People LOVE watching these birds locate all of the chicks every day, but Ritter for the 2nd year in a row. Band- were fortunate to watch them all grow grow!! this group was particularly coopera- ing Director, Frank Nicoletti, is back and fledge during our 4 week pro- In a typical year, we expect tive! and ready to band. His core team will gram this summer. We were funded the chicks to fledge (leave the nest Peregrine Watch was fortu- consist of returning banders - Nova this year by the Minnesota Power for the first time) during the first week nate to have Katie (Borg) Swanson Mackentley and Chris Neri. The Foundation and generous private do- of July. This year, though, three of on our staff for this season. Katie owl bander will be Samuel Roberts, nations from Hawk Ridge members. the chicks fledged on June 16 and is our Education Intern from UMD, returning from the fall 2010 season. Thank you! the fourth fledged on June 23! We and will be working with us through Frank will also be hosting and training Our funding was secured in were fearful that this early fledge the fall. She’s a great addition to our an apprentice bander from Argentina. late May and we began our program would mean a very early end to team, and you’ll enjoy meeting her at Matias Juhant is a biology student at on June 5. Bob Anderson and Amy Peregrine Watch because usually, Hawk Ridge this during the fall sea- the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Ries from the Raptor Resource Proj- the chicks become widespread and son. Mathematics, University of Maribor, ect came to Duluth to band the chicks difficult to find and teach about within Peregrine Watch was ‘open Maribor, Slovenia. The research the first 10 days after fledging. Not for business’ for 16 full days, 2 partial Frank Nicoletti, Hawk Ridge Banding Director, with Northern Saw-whet Owl, photo by Karen on June 7, but found that the chicks methods he learns at Hawk Ridge Stubenvoll were just a couple days too old to so, this year! All four chicks success- days and was shut down by weather will help in his efforts of establishing Foundation Biodiversity Fund. You new passerine banding station. band. I’m not practiced enough at fully fledged and kept themselves out for 4 days. We shared the peregrines a network of raptor migration watch can read more about the program We truly appreciate all of ageing chicks on our closed-circuit of trouble by remaining high on the with 1040 people, which holds to our sites and banding stations in South highlighted in this newsletter. Thanks the volunteers that helped get the monitor to precisely age them, which Greysolon Building (where the nest- average of 65 per day and 16 per America. to the Minnesota Ornithologists’ research sites ready for the season could have saved Bob and Amy the box is located)! hour. We are happy to announce Union, we were able to purchase and those that help with the banding trip to Duluth. The risk in banding Pretty much everything about Many thanks to everyone who the new passerine banding program some new and needed banding and count research efforts during the the chicks after they are 30 days this year’s group of fledglings is atypi- visited us in Lake Place Park and we are piloting this year, thanks to equipment. A big thank you goes to season. old is that they have gained enough cal… all of them fledged to the roof Superior Street. The enthusiasm the Duluth Superior Area Community awareness to try and get away from of the Greysolon Building, rather than that we see in your eyes and hear in Dave Alexander & Ben Yokel for the ‘that thing’ (the bander) that’s reach- to the rooftops on the lower buildings your voices is reward beyond words. ing into the nestbox and grabbing below. All of them seemed to fly with Keep your eyes and ears open, and Passerine Banding at Hawk Ridge them. Bob and Amy decided not to competence from day one. None be sure to post any peregrine sight- By Frank Nicoletti risk having one of the chicks jump of them fledged a day or two earlier ings on our facebook page: www. Passerine (songbird) banding at Hawk Ridge has been conducted out of the nest, so we weren’t able to than they should have, so none of facebook.com/pwduluth. from 1982-1992 sporadically. Full-time banding was done in 1996- 2006 under the direction of Dave Grosshuesch. A decade average of Raptors in the Classroom by Julie O’Connor 4,500 birds of 110 species were banded. Since then, there has been no regular passerine banding effort. During the fall of 2012, we will This was an interesting year ments about Raptors in the Class- so that we can continue visiting 4th make an effort to conduct a regular banding project. for Raptors in the Classroom. In pre- room to teachers. Each year, we graders throughout the region with vious years, we have received grant have several very loyal teachers who this introductory program to raptors This season will be a pilot study, which was made possible by a grant funding that subsidized our costs for contact us early in the school year, and Hawk Ridge. from the Biodiversity Fund of the Duluth Superior Area Community RITC (staff, transportation, zoo birds wanting to book our programs as If you are interested in spon- Foundation The passerine banding project will have three main fo- partnership). This allowed us to soon as they can get onto our sched- soring a Raptors in the Classroom cuses. The first focus will be conducting early morning banding near provide our two-part program to local ule. This year, even those schools program, please contact Janelle at the historical net sites for potential comparisons with previous work. schools at a minimal cost to them. and teachers couldn’t afford the cost [email protected], 218-428-6209. This may give us insights into declining populations of certain neo- This year, we did not receive any of our base-level program, and we You can also make a general dona- tropical migrant passerines that have occurred for over 2 decades. grant funds for RITC, so we tested ended up only visiting ONE school! tion to this program online or in the This data will supplement the passerine count being conducted by out a ‘fee-for-program’ plan, passing In previous years, we have contribution section of this newsletter. Karl Bardon et al. The second project focus will be to train a core program costs on to the schools that visited as many as 75 classrooms – of volunteers to sustain this project in the future. The wanted us to visit. this is an alarming decline! It gives final focus will be to do passerine banding demonstra- The unfortunate state of us even more motivation to find the tions and education programs at the Hawk Ridge Main school funding quickly became ap- funding we need to subsidize the Continued On Page 7 parent, as we sent out announce- costs of Raptors in the Classroom, Kaitlin and Matti Erpestad will be working on Hawk Ridge passerine 5 6 program development this fall, photo by Karen Stubenvoll Banding continued Stewardship Notes By Bob Owens

Overlook this fall. Kaitlin and Matti Erpestad have been hired We were very lucky during to coordinate the three aspects of the project, as well as assist the “Flood of the Century” here at the with banding research and provide education. Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve, as we David Alexander and Annmarie Geniusz have been experienced minimal costly damage. busy spearheading passerine project preparations. They along It would have been a wonderful expe- with others have built a new blind that will be used to conduct rience and a dangerous one to be at passerine and owl banding. The blind will also be used for edu- the two bridges on the NE end of the cational training purposes. This summer, a total of seven days Amity Creek Trail at 7 AM June 19 as of banding were conducted spanning from 30 June through water came over the trail due to trees 30 July. A total of 111 birds of 25 species were banded. Some partially blocking the passage under of the highlights include Black–throated Green Warbler, Black- the bridges. The trail was partially billed Cuckoo, Cedar Waxwing, and Baltimore Oriole. washed out near the Colby Ave en- We are excited for the upcoming migration season. If trance, we had minor shoulder wash you are interested in participating in the passerine banding vol- Banded Blue Jay at Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve, photo by Erik out along East Skyline Parkway near Bruhnke unteer program, please email [email protected]. the Cutoff Trail (Snowmobile Trail) and some slumping at two locations near the bridge to “no-where”. However, West Skyline Hawk Count 2012 the City has been helpful in planning By Frank Nicoletti repairs, as the crews can get to the projects. Since 1997, raptors have been counted along the West Skyline Parkway during spring migration. In 2000, the We are getting the Hawk protocol changed to include two sites, either Enger Tower or Thompson Hill, depending on wind direction. This season Ridge Nature Reserve main overlook and research sites ready for activi- Hawk Ridge Volunteers, Gary Leeper (front) and Jessamy Schwartz (back) helping with site had less coverage, due to many days of northeast winds and lack of availability of volunteer counters. This weather prep on the Volunteer Community Work Day, photo by Gail Johnejack phenomenon was also seen at other Great Lakes count sites. ties beginning August 15. Thank you equipment for mowing trails and the season and always appreciate your The count was in operation from 9 March through 14 April. A total of 18 days were covered with 73.5 hours aver- to all the volunteers that came out in right a way along Skyline which has feedback whether positive or helpful aging just over 4 hours per day. The season’s count total came to 3,043 raptors of 13 species. conjunction with the City of Duluth for added to improved appearance, wider hints for improvements. We also ap- March had the most coverage with 14 days and 58.5 hours observed for a total of 2,792 raptors counted. The our “Community Work Day” on August clearing along the street, and hav- preciate anyone willing to volunteer eagle migration was good with strong flights on the 11 and 15 that produced days of over 400 Bald and 21 and 28 Gold- 12th. We had help from Woodland ing less litter dumped along the road. for trail and grounds improvement, in- ens, respectfully. Hills and several other civic groups. We are working on being “green” with vasive species control, as well as as- April had only four days of coverage with 15 hours (5, 7, 8 and 14 April) for a total of 251 raptors counted. The Thanks to Cheryl Skafte, Judy Gibbs, additional litter barrels. We are also sistance with educational stewardship weather, especially on the weekend, was not conducive to any flights. & Julie O’Connor for helping organize working to improve the parking and activities. Please feel free to contact Hawk Ridge would like to see this important aspect of migration continued to be studied. It’s one of the few volunteers. traffic situation to make visiting and me directly at [email protected] or places that has a significant concentration of raptors migrating in both spring and fall. A big thank you to the City of travel safer along Skyline Parkway. 218-349-8334. The following helped with the 2012 count: Frank Nicoletti, Dave Carman, Karl Bardon, Erik Bruhnke, Mike Hen- Duluth Parks and Rec Dept. for their We look forward to hosting drickson, Harold Nordin and Peder Svingen. Thank you to all for your efforts. commitment to install kiosks with maps and information, for supplying members and visitors during the fall

By Julie O’Connor Hawk Ridge Birdathon 184 species were counted. This was ern Grebes (2nd & 3rd years seen, Spring Owl Monitoring the highest total in the last five years, respectively), Ruddy Duck & Red- Each year, the Western Great Lakes Owl Monitoring Project sends volunteers out into the far reaches of Minnesota By Janelle Long which is a great improvement! Al- throated Loon (10th year seen), Can- to survey for breeding owls. Each volunteer is assigned a pre-established 9-mile route in their area and must be- The 26th annual Hawk Ridge though, this was the second year that vasback (11th year seen), and 25 spe- come certified through the online program. They spend one evening in early April driving their route, stopping at Birdathon in St. Louis County was no Eastern Meadowlarks and Yellow- cies of warblers! one-mile intervals and listening passively for calling owls for five minutes at each stop. They record observations held on Saturday May 19th. Nine headed Blackbirds were seen and Thank you to Eagle Optics, such as GPS coordinates, weather/snow conditions, wind speed/direction, cloud cover and owls heard, for each stop teams participated in several different third time that Bufflehead, Pied-billed Wild Birds Unlimited, Lake Superior onto data sheets. categories. Team “Two Few Daves” Grebe, Virginia Rail, and Barred Owl Garden Center, Naturally Avian (Erik (Dave Benson and Dave Steininger) were missed. The St. Louis County Bruhnke) and @michaelfurtman.com In 2012, 87 of 160 routes were assigned to volunteers. Without these dedicated volunteers, we would NEVER be counted 138 species in 17.5 hours Birdathon 26-year average is 189 spe- (Mike Furtman) for your wonderful able to capture so much information during the spring breeding season! to win the St. Louis County Big Day cies with a 26-year grand total of 266 prize donations. We also sincerely category. This was Dave species. 218 species was the highest thank all of the participants, pledge If you’re interested in participating in this survey, please contact the volunteer coordinators for more information: Benson’s 24th Birdathon total count in 1996 and 164 was the donors, and sponsors for your sup- and the prized owl traveling lowest count in 2011. port. Over $3000 was raised from this Minnesota: Julie O’Connor (218-348-2291 or [email protected]) trophy remains in his happy Highlights included: Nelson’s event for Hawk Ridge bird research, home for its fifth year. Sharp-tailed Sparrow (1st year seen education, and stewardship! We hope Wisconsin: Ryan Brady (715-685-2933 or [email protected]) 7 8 In all, a grand total of during Birdathon!), Eared & West- you can join us next spring! Volunteer Voices by Andrew Longtin HAWK WEEKEND FESTIVAL I’ve lived in Minnesota all my bie Waters started as September 14, 15 and 16, 2012 life. I grew up in White Bear Lake a naturalist. As the Come and celebrate the mi- Hawkwatching, interpretive programs, com, it will include the Horned Guan and continue to live in the Metro area raptor talks and dem- gration at our annual Hawk Weekend banded raptor and passerine demon- Death March (climbing 4 hours up a today. Most of my life I’ve worked onstrations got more Festival! strations, optics displays, merchan- volcano in Guatemala to search for with (or should I say ‘fought with’!!!) interesting, I started Friday evening includes a so- dise, and refreshments will be offered a rare tree chicken), trying to find a computers in one way or another, but to learn more about cial, optional dinner buffet, cash bar, at the Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve reasonable bathroom while birding in I usually NEVER tell people that be- the birds I was see- coffee/desserts, auction preview, main overlook. Kazakhstan or misadventures search- cause everyone says “Hey, can you fix ing overhead, and "Guess-the-Number-of-Hawks Con- Saturday evening will serve as ing for an ivory-billed woodpecker with my computer, it’s doing……..”. that’s when I started test", annual member meeting, awards a fundraising benefit for Hawk Ridge. Cornell Lab of Ornithology in 2005. My mother and father both are adopting birds. and presentation by Anna Peterson, The event will include a social, book All activities at the Hawk Ridge from the Duluth / Cloquet area, so as The more I Ph.D. candidate in the Conservation signing, cash bar, fabulous dinner buf- Nature Reserve are open to the pub- a small child I used to get to Duluth, learned about birds, Biology Program, University of Minne- fet, exciting live & silent auction with lic; everything else requires registra- but never to Hawk Ridge. I have al- Hawk Ridge, and the Hawk Ridge Volunteer, Andrew Longtin, has contributed hundreds of volunteer hours at Hawk Ridge and has adopted over 100 birds, sota, Twin Cities. Anna will share her wonderful packages, and a presenta- tion. Please note space for evening ways liked the outdoors and wildlife. migration of raptors, photo credit Andrew Longtin research experiences on the magnifi- tion by Sharon Stiteler, professional events, speakers, workshops, and When I was young, I built and hung the more comfort- skies filled with beautiful birds and the cent fall bird migration along the North speaker, storyteller, and author. She field trips is limited, so be sure to reg- bird houses in our yard, filled our bird- able I felt helping beginning birders or Shore of Lake Superior - both raptors will present a fun and entertaining talk ister early! For more details about feeders, and ‘monitored’ the robin’s people who were new to the Ridge. I sounds of migration, I guess the rea- son I still can’t wait to spend time at and songbirds. She will present “The “Today’s Office” about her career in the Hawk Weekend festival, go to nests in our neighborhood. would help Frank and Dave point out Fantastic Fall Migration of Birds on bird watching. Sharon’s office can be www.hawkridge.org or contact us at As an adult, I became more in- birds to visitors or chat with visitors Ridge is the people. As I said, the staff and volunteers welcomed me into Minnesota's North Shore”. in the middle of a corn field watching 218.428.6209 or mail@hawkridge. terested and active in birding. I first to help the counters focus on the ket- Both Saturday and Sunday will eagles or flying 100 feet above the Mis- org. heard about Hawk Ridge and about tles they were counting. Over time, I their Hawk Ridge Family. If you are a person that loves nature and wildlife, offer a variety of field trips and work- sissippi River counting ducks. Based MOU (Minnesota Ornithologists’ looked for other areas that I could help shops at and away from the Ridge. on her popular birding blog, Birdchick. Union) and Project Feeder Watch out, and basically the staff just adopt- and care about how we treat this earth through online resources. ed me as one of the group. and its wild places and wildlife, I can’t When I first went to Hawk Julie O’Connor likes to include think of a better place to volunteer Raptors Raffle Ridge, Frank Nicoletti was the coun- me in the “volunteer” group even your time. We all need to help edu- cate our next generation on the impor- ter. Over the years, I started to visit though my involvement is a little differ- The 4th annual Raptors Raffle is being held this fall to help raise proceeds to benefit the research, education, and tance of raptors and passerines and as often as possible to hang out with ent than that of other volunteers. It’s stewardship activities of Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory. $5 raffle tickets will be sold at the Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve their migration past the Ridge. Frank and Dave Carman. I loved to been a job that developed slowly over Main Overlook beginning September 1. The raffle drawing will be held at the Hawk Ridge Main Overlook on Saturday, help them spot birds and forming ket- time, and one that I enjoy. October 27th, 2012 at 1pm. Thanks to Duluth Pack (Jon Farchmin), Eagle Optics, and Naturally Avian (Erik Bruhnke) tles. This was near the time that Deb- Besides gorgeous sunrises, for the following prize donations:

Become a Hawk Ridge Volunteer! Prize #1: Duluth Pack Haversack with Atlas Optics Get in on the action and volunteer with us! We are always looking for 10x42 Intrepid ED Binoculars and National more volunteers for the overlook, and YOU are welcome to join us. Geographic Birding Guide You don’t need to know how to identify raptors, we’ll teach you what you need to know.

All we ask is that you: 1. Be friendly!!! 2. Attend training: Sat. September 8, 9am-3pm at NRRI (5013 Miller Prize #2: Guided Sax-Zim Bog Winter Birding Tour Trunk Hwy, Duluth) for 4 with Erik Bruhnke (Nov. 2012 – March 2013) 3. Commit 24 hours of volunteer time between Sept. 1 and Oct. 31.

We need people for a multitude of jobs including greeting visitors, selling merchandise, assisting naturalists with programs, pointing out birds, running errands, construction, trail maintenance/grounds work, office help and serving on planning committees. Prize #3: Customized Hawk Ridge Fleece Jacket and Hat (you pick design, color, size!) RSVP is not required, but will be appreciated. Please con- tact Operations Director Julie O’Connor (218-348-2291 or [email protected]) for more information. Winner(s) do not need to be present to win. Only one ticket purchase required to be entered in the Hawk Ridge Volunteer, Harry Wilson, with Northern Harrier, raffle. Winners must be 18 years old to purchase a ticket and to be eligible for prize. photo by Karen Stubenvoll 9 10 In Memory of Dr. Pershing Bernard “Jack” Hofslund (1918-2012) By Dr. Gerald J. Niemi

Dr. Pershing “Jack” Hofslund, teaching many life science classes, a professor and professor emeritus including ornithology and natural his- at the University of Minnesota, Dulu- tory of vertebrates. Jack retired as a th was one of the founders of Hawk full professor from UMD in 1982 and Ridge Nature Reserve. He was in- then became professor emeritus. strumental in the establishment of the Professor Hofslund inspired annual hawk count at Hawk Ridge. He hundreds of students, colleagues, and published the first scientific articles on friends with his widespread expertise the raptor counts thereby providing on birds, his breadth of knowledge

Published by the evidence that Duluth was a ma- about life, and with his gentle demean- University of jor hawk migration route in the United or. He was the President of the Minne- Minnesota Press States. Jack along with many others sota Ornithologists’ Union from 1963 www.upress.umn.edu began the long process to educate the to 1965 and served as Editor of The public about the benefit of raptors and Flicker, the publication that preceded the protection of Hawk Ridge Nature its current publication The Loon, from Reserve. The Duluth Audubon Soci- 1951 to 1958. Jack was active in the ety recognized his efforts with a life- Duluth Audubon Society, the board time achievement award in 2003. of the Lake Superior Zoological Gar- EVENTS Jack was born on April 13, dens, Duluth Parks and Recreation, Dr. Pershing “Jack” Hofslund, photo by Jerry 1918 in Jeffers, Minnesota and passed the Board of the Minnesota Sate Zoo, Niemi at Hawk Ridge Bird away on April 21, 2012 at the age of the American Ornithologists’ Union, nithologist Olin Sewall Pettingill, Jack Observatory in celebration 94 in Duluth, Minnesota. He gradu- and the Wilson Ornithological Soci- wrote “Lewis Carroll could have the of the new book Hawk Ridge: ated from Jeffers High School, Min- ety. For the latter he served as Presi- hawk flights in Duluth in mind when Minnesota’s Birds of Prey nesota in 1936 and received his B.S. dent from 1971 to 1973. He was on he penned, ‘And thick and fast they by Laura Erickson and with Degree from Mankato State Teach- the board of directors of the Raptor came at last, and more, and more, ers College in 1940. Jack went on to Research Foundation and the Hawk illustrations by Betsy Bowen. and more.’ Certainly this was the case teach school in Pequot Lakes and Mi- Migration Association of North Amer- on September 15, 1962 …. filled with laca, Minnesota. Shortly after gradua- ica. Upon retirement, Jack remained good intentions (to mow the lawn) … Saturday, Sept. 15th, 12:00–4:00 PM tion Jack married Elaine Warner who active at the Lakeside Presbyterian I sat down in a lawn chair and began became his life-long partner. Elaine Church and continued to teach in the Meet and greet with Erickson and Bowen at the Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve Main to count. This was unfortunate-for the Overlook during Hawk Weekend Festival (www.hawkridge.org). Books will be preceded him in death on March 23, University for Seniors and the local lawn-because I did not stop counting available for sale and signing. 2009, and many of us who knew Jack chapters of AARP. until some seven hours and 10,526 observed that he was never really the Jack and Elaine loved to travel. hawks later.” Such is the life that Jack Saturday, Sept. 22nd, 1:00–2:00 PM same after Elaine passed away. Jack They visited all 50 states, many Ca- enjoyed from his neighborhood home and Elaine had a very special relation- nadian provinces, and over 50 coun- in the Lakeside community, from Erickson and Bowen will present in the Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve lecture area. Books will be available for sale and signing. Please RSVP to [email protected] ship; the envy of any married couple. tries on every continent except Ant- Hawk Ridge, and from the many field or 218-428-6209 by Sept. 17th, as space is limited. Jack served in the United arctica. Besides birds, Jack enjoyed trips to local and far-away places. His States Navy during World War II. movies, bridge, the Minnesota Twins efforts will long be remembered, espe- Shortly thereafter he began his orni- and Vikings, and reading. I remem- cially as one of the founding members thological career, receiving his Mas- ber during his move from his home to of Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve in Du- ters in 1947 and his Ph.D. in 1954 Westwood Apartments in Duluth, one luth. from the University of Michigan. His of his most difficult tasks was parting Sixth Annual Sax-Zim Bog Winter Birding Festival doctoral thesis, “A Life History Study with the thousands of books he had of the Yellowthroat,” initiated his long acquired. Jack is survived by his son, February 15, 16, 17, 2013 – Meadowlands, Minnesota interest in warblers and certainly had Jeffrey Hofslund of Duluth, and his Catered meals served Friday and Saturday nights a major influence on countless stu- daughter, Jennifer Burla of Ironwood, Field trips offered through the Bog and to Lake Superior dents, including me. During his gradu- Michigan, plus five grandchildren. Irruption of Boreal Owls is predicted this winter. ate studies, Jack Jack will be remembered as a Friday night speaker – Steve Wilson will talk about Spruce Grouse began his career kind, loving, and gentle man with a flair Saturday night speaker – Marge Gibson on Raptor Rehab. at the University of for dapper dressing. In an article on She will be bringing live hawks and owls. Minnesota-Dulu- “Hawks Above Duluth” in a book Bird Pre-registration required. th (UMD) in 1949 Watchers’ America by the famous or- Go to: http://sax-zimbog.com 11 12 Hawk Ridge Memorial for Dr. Pershing “Jack” Hofslund HAWK RIDGE NATURE RESERVE – 40 YEARS OLD IN 2012 Please join us on Saturday October 6th at 10am at the Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve Main Overlook to remember Jack By Jan Green and celebrate all of his contributions to Hawk Ridge and the field of bird conservation. Hawk Ridge is working to establish a memorial bench in honor of Jack at the nature reserve. Donations can be made “In Memory of Jack” for this purpose Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve, located behind the Villa Scholastica. years of publicity and enforcement, or in general. Please contact [email protected] or call 218-428-6209 for more information. as a natural area in the City of Dulu- It was there that blinds were set up the shooting diminished to a minimum th parks system, is 40 years old this and crow decoys were used. As the but the Club resolved “We cannot let fall. The ridge above the Lakeside Duluth News Tribune reported (Oc- down our guard” (The Flicker v. 26, Summer Social by Janelle Long community has obviously been there tober 20, 1946) the Duluth Bird Club p. 94-95, 1954). This success by the On Tuesday August 7th, Bob & Mary search, education, and stewardship Thank you to all that attended and much longer than that – actually since (now the Duluth Audubon Society) Club lead to the beginning of the hawk Ellen Owens hosted a small social activities of Hawk Ridge were shared. contributed. the last Ice Age, about 12,000 years found “one hill strewn with .22 caliber watch at Hawk Ridge. In 1951, led by event for Hawk Ridge Bird Observa- Gail Johnejack, the new Education Di- ago shells and empty shotgun cartridges Dr. P. B.(Jack) Hofslund as part of tory at their home. The original event rector, delivered a compelling presen- . Before the City took an interest and litter with the remains of dead the U. S. Fish & Wildlife Service hawk date was planned for June, but was tation on her vision for the future of in protecting the tax-forfeit land there, hawks.” migration survey, counting migrating rescheduled due to the flood. We Hawk Ridge education. Board mem- the ridge was known as Davidson’s An educational effort to show the ben- hawks began.. But that is a story for were happy to gather with the close ber, Mark Martell, engaged attendees Hill or Hawk Hill and has a checkered efit of hawks to agriculture and to the another day. to 45 that were in attendance and with unique opportunities, such as kid history. It was a wild area for the kids balance of nature was mounted by Back to the events 40 years ago that Gail Johnejack, new Education Director, intro- enjoyed the lovely evening. Board, adopts and education sponsorship, in Lakeside to explore and build their leaders of the Duluth Bird Club (in- created Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve. ducing herself and vision for Hawk Ridge edu- tree forts in the scrubby vegetation. cluding Joel Bronoel, Evelyn Putnam In 1973 with help from Duluth Audu- staff, and committee members were as ways to help make a difference for cation programms at Duluth Summer Social introduced. Highlights about the re- Hawk Ridge bird conservation efforts. Event, photo by Katie Swanson That vegetation was the result of old and Olga Lakela). Although the state bon volunteers, staff of the City Plan- forest fires, probably most dramati- legislature had passed a law in 1945 ning Department and money contrib- cally the 1918 Cloquet fire, and not protecting hawks, and the City of Dulu- uted by bird lovers throughout the much soil was left on the rocky terrain. th had forbidden the shooting of birds state several legal steps were taken: Planting of conifers, mostly the ex- within the city limits since 1885, it took 1) Duluth Bird Club incorporated as otic Scotch pine plus some red pine, an educational campaign to get the Duluth Audubon Society; 2) Duluth had been done in the 1930s and also law enforced. Signs were erected in City Council approved a trust agree- aspen forest regenerated naturally 1947 by the Duluth Bird Club through- ment for the Duluth Audubon Society where there was enough soil. out the City’s park land that said to manage the 115 acre“core area”; 3) One critical phase in the histo- “BIRD SANCTUARY NO HUNTING title to the land was transferred from ry of the ridge was the decades when PERMITTED – Misdemeanor punish- state “tax-forfeit” to City ownership; it served as a shooting gallery for the able by fine not to exceed $100.00 or and 4) formal dedication of “Hawk hawk passage in the fall. Hawk Hill, 85 days imprisonment”. Shooters re- Ridge Nature Reserve” occurred in as it was known then, was not the only sponded by destroying the signs but September 1972. The full story of that site in the city well known to bird tar- the club volunteers persevered, enlist- time will be left to another historical get shooters as the “hawk pass”. The ed the police and became deputized article. most notorious was a Kenwood park to patrol the “hawk pass”. After a few Planned Giving tate planning attorney, but here are vation. Contact Janelle Long for our some simple guidelines. tax ID number when completing the by Karen Stubenvoll Bequest: paperwork. Since Hawk Ridge Nature Re- You are a Hawk Ridge sup- A donation of stock: serve was established in 1972, and porter, and you want to leave a last- When you give appreciated then Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory ing legacy of conservation. Or, you’d securities, you receive gift credit and was incorporated as a 501 c (3) non- like to support the long-term goals of an immediate income tax deduction profit in 2004, we have depended on Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory, but for the fair market value of the securi- bequests, memberships, grants, and you don’t feel financially able to make ties on the date of transfer, no matter donations to fund our research, such a major gift at this time. A simple so- what you originally paid for them, and as yearly hawk count & raptor band- lution would be to include a bequest you pay no capital gains tax on the se- ing, and also to fund our extensive to Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory in curities you donate. public education programs at Hawk your will or estate plan. We should be You can also name Hawk Ridge & local elementary schools. named as follows: Hawk Ridge Bird Ridge Bird Observatory as a ben- You can support our work and Observatory, a non-profit registered in eficiary of your IRA, thereby avoiding leave a legacy for the future by includ- the state of Minnesota. some of the estate tax and income tax ing Hawk Ridge Bird Life Insurance policy: burden. Contact your estate planning Observatory in your Designating Hawk Ridge Bird attorney for details. Hawk Ridge Bird estate plan. We rec- Observatory as a beneficiary of your Observatory exists because of YOU: American Beauty, , ommend that you life insurance policy is another simple our members and donors. Thanks for photo by michaelfurtman.com 13 14 consult with an es- way to ensure your legacy of conser- your support during the years to come. Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory Non-Profit P.O. Box 3006 Organization Duluth, MN 55803-3006 U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 1009 Duluth, MN

Hawk Ridge Bander, Nova Mackentley, with , photo by Karen Stubenvoll Membership Contribution

Please  Begin  Renew My Hawk Ridge Membership Name  Student (Vulture) $15 Address  Individual () $30 City  Family (Hawk) $50 Notes From The Director State  Sustaining (Owl) $100 By Janelle Long Zip  Soaring (Harrier) $250 Phone  Supporting (Falcon) $500 Nighthawks filled the Duluth skies the evening of August 14th. It was almost as if they knew they were the E-mail  Steward (Eagle) $1000 opening act to signify the start of the fall migration. We kicked off our fall count & banding the following day  Additional Donation: on August 15th. That child-like feeling of excitement overwhelmed me. I raced home from the office to take  I want to volunteer, please contact me my own kids outside to watch the spectacle from our deck. They cheered as the parade of birds swooped  Check here if you’d like to be added to Help Fund Education Programs and twisted above our heads. I looked around our neighborhood to see if others were watching. I didn’t our e-mail list for Hawk Ridge $ Fall Public Education Programs at Hawk Ridge want them to miss out on Duluth’s FREE air show happening in their own backyard. I feel the same as we information and updates $ Hawk Ridge Volunteer Program approach each fall season. WE DO NOT RENT, SELL, OR TRADE MAILING LISTS $ “Peregrine Watch” outreach at Lake Place Park $ “Raptors in the Classroom” school outreach We are continually working on getting the word out about Hawk Ridge. If you are able to provide any market- Total Enclosed: $ $ “Experience Hawk Ridge” school lesson at ing in-kind services, such as web design, development of promotional materials, and assisting with public Payment (circle): Cash or Check or Credit Card Hawk Ridge Type (circle): Visa or MasterCard relations, we would sure appreciate your help. Please contact me directly at [email protected] or 218- Help Fund Research Programs 428-6209 for more information. Thanks and I hope to see you this fall! Cardholder Name: $ Fall Count Number: Exp. Date: $ Raptor Banding A special thanks to the following grantors and sponsors: Signature: $ Songbird Banding Donald M. Weesner Foundation Minnesota Power Foundation $ Spring Count Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation Miller Hill Subaru (Biodiversity Fund) City of Duluth Parks & Recreation Help Us Meet Our Financial Obligations! SEND FORM & PAYMENT TO: Lloyd K. Johnson Foundation The Edge Resort & Waterpark (ZMC Hotels, Inc) Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory depends on the generous contributions made by Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Radisson Hotel Downtown Duluth its members and friends. You’ll receive special member discounts and behind- P.O. Box 3006 (Non-Game Program) Naturally Avian (Erik Bruhnke) the-scenes with tours as well as knowing these funds go to support education Duluth, MN 55803-3006 Minnesota Ornithologists’ Union @michaelfurtman.com (Michael Furtman) and research. Your membership contribution is tax deductible! Please make checks payable to Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory. 15 16