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2011 Fall/2012 Winter Newsletter

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2011 Fall/2012 Winter Newsletter Hawk Ridge Bird 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 Fall/Winter Issue | 2011-2012 Duluth, MN Winter Forecast: A Flurry of Snowy Owls By Erik Bruhnke far north, has come a bird species that is often associated with giving bird- watchers goosebumps… both by the unique beauty of the bird, as well as the cold conditions that one must en- dure to view this species. This bird species’ beauty alone is frosty, ethereal, and its body is clearly designed for living in the cold- est, snow-swept regions of the world. This bird is a circumpolar species; that is, they are found on all continents throughout a specific hemisphere of the world; the northern hemisphere for this species. In addition to the physi- cal and physiological build of this bird (hint, it is a raptor species), this bird is Continued On Page 14 Notes From The Director By Janelle Long EducationINSIDE Stories p. 3 With the birth of my daughter this past August, I’ve been thinking more about long-term financial planning for Snowy Owl, alert and aweake at night - photo by Erik Bruhnke Wintering Snowy Owls p. 4 our family. Being a mom, I want to provide that security for my children’s future. I have that same feeling and concern The world of birds is ever- species which have shown up in im- for Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory, as the Executive Director. At our most recent Finance and Fundraising Committee changing. The flow of seasons paves pressive numbers throughout the Fall Raptor Banding Report p. 4 meetings, we have discussed the topic of planned gifts and other ways of giving. We are currently working on better the routes for bird migration, which of- northwoods this winter. The built-for- Western Great Lakes Owl Monitoring p. 6 means of communicating these options with you. ten takes place during the spring and extreme-cold Common Redpolls have fall. Those brisk late-autumn storms formed flocks by the hundreds, and Encampment Forest Banding Project p. 6 If you are looking to give a gift of stock or bond, listing a beneficiary on your pension/IRA or will/estate, in- that come through the prairies fun- made roughly the northern third of the Fall Raptor Migration Report p. 7 terested in creating an endowed fund, setting up a bequest, we ask that you do please consider Hawk Ridge Bird nel raptors towards Hawk Ridge. In Lower 48 states their home for the win- Observatory. These gifts will help ensure the sustainability of the organization for future generations. We hope you Fall Non-Raptor Migration Report p. 9 the spring, intense bursts of southern, ter. Locally, here in Duluth and up the find the stories and summaries enclosed in this newsletter as inspiring evidence that we are working hard to put your warming winds help spark migration North Shore of Lake Superior, redpolls Volunteer Voices p. 10 contributions to good use for bird conservation research, education, and stewardship. Please feel free to contact me northward into the boreal forest. There and their cross-billed counterparts; the Volunteer Report p. 11 directly at 218-428-6209 or [email protected], if you have further questions on how to go about doing this. Thank is another factor that comes into play White-winged Crossbills, have made Stewardship Notes p. 11 you! with bird species which thrive in the their presence known by flocking to boreal forest and northward into the their favored food sources; paper birch Comments from the Board p. 12 A special thanks to the following grantors and sponsors for fall 2011 support: far reaches of the arctic tundra. That and alder catkins (seed clusters) for Hawk Weekend 2011 p. 13 sole factor is food availability, and bird- the redpolls, while the White-winged Donald M. Weesner Foundation Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation watchers and non-birdwatchers alike Crossbills are congregating in the con- Birdathon 2012 p. 15 Lloyd K. Johnson Foundation (Biodiversity Fund) have been captivated by a winter phe- centrations of tiny cones from tama- RRF Conference 2011 p. 16 Marshall Hardware The Edge Resort & Waterpark (ZMC Hotels, Inc) nomenon currently taking place. rack and black spruce trees. In addi- Family Owl Banding Experience p. 16 Radisson Hotel Downtown Duluth Holiday Inn & Suites - Duluth There have been several bird tion to these beautiful finches from the Sax-Zim Bog Winter Birding Tour p. 16 Encampment Forest Association (Lion Hotel Group & Labovitz Enterprises) Erik Bruhnke / Naturally Avian The Nature Conservancy (Cathedral Grove Committee) Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory Call: 218.428.6209 Advanced Raptor ID Workshop p. 18 P.O. Box 3006 Contact: [email protected] Michael Furtman, michaelfurtman.com The College of St. Scholastica (Bluestone Agency) New Merchandise Trailer! p .18 Duluth, MN 55803-3006 Visit: www.hawkridge.org 20 Notes from the Director p. 20 2011.2012 Fall 2011 Raptors Raffle The 3rd annual Raptors Raffle was held this fall to help raise proceeds to benefit Membership Contribution Board of Directors the research, education, and stewardship activities of Hawk Ridge Bird Obser- Chair: vatory. $5 raffle tickets were sold through the day of the raffle drawing on Sun- Please Begin Renew day October 23. The drawing was held in the rain (for the 2nd year in a row) with Karen Stebenvoll My Hawk Ridge Membership about 6 people in attendance at Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve. Name Student (Vulture) $15 Address Treasurer: Individual (Osprey) $30 Thank you to the prize donors, staff/volunteers for ticket sales, Molly Thompson City Family (Hawk) $50 and all those that purchased tickets totaling close to $1200. State Sustaining (Owl) $100 Prizes and winners were as follows: Secretary: Zip Soaring (Harrier) $250 Jan Green Phone Supporting (Falcon) $500 Duluth Pack Sparky Bag (Duluth Pack Store) Prize #1: E-mail Steward (Eagle) $1000 Winner: Seth Spencer, Duluth, MN Additional Donation: Member: I want to volunteer, please contact me David Alexander Check here if you’d like to be added to Help Fund Education Programs Prize #2: Guided Sax-Zim Bog Winter Birding Tour for 4 our e-mail list for Hawk Ridge $ Fall Public Education Programs at Hawk Ridge (Erik Bruhnke/Naturally Avian) Member: information and updates $ Hawk Ridge Volunteer Program Tim Bates Winner: Paula Maidl, Loretto, MN WE DO NOT RENT, SELL, OR TRADE MAILING LISTS $ “Peregrine Watch” outreach at Lake Place Park $ “Raptors in the Classroom” school outreach Member: Prize #3: Eagle Optics Ranger 8x42 Binoculars (Eagle Optics) Total Enclosed: $ $ “Experience Hawk Ridge” school lesson at John Baumgarten Winner: Joan Stemig, Eagan, MN Payment (circle): Cash or Check or Credit Card Hawk Ridge Type (circle): Visa or MasterCard Member: Help Fund Research Programs Martha Markusen Cardholder Name: $ Fall Count Spring Count 2012 Number: Exp. Date: $ Raptor Banding Member: Signature: $ Songbird Banding Mark Martell This March-May, efforts will be put forth to run the West Skyline Hawk Count $ Spring Count on a volunteer basis. If you are interested in volunteering for the spring count, Member: please contact Frank Nicoletti at 218-591-0174 or [email protected]. Help Us Meet Our Financial Obligations! SEND FORM & PAYMENT TO: Gerald Niemi Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory depends on the generous contributions made by Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory If you have any questions or would like to contribute for the future of the its members and friends. You’ll receive special member discounts and behind- P.O. Box 3006 Member: spring count, please contact Janelle Long at [email protected]. the-scenes with tours as well as knowing these funds go to support education Duluth, MN 55803-3006 Robert M. Owens and research. Your membership contribution is tax deductible! Please make checks payable to Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory. Member: Andrew Streitz Hawk Weekend Festival 2012 Executive Director: Make plans now for the annual Hawk Weekend Festival, Janelle Long September 14-16, 2012! Our social events will be held at the Radisson Hotel in downtown Du- luth. Friday night we will hear Ph.D. candidate, Anna Peterson, discuss her research on “Mitigating Conflicts between Potential Wind Turbines Newsletter and Migratory Birds on the North Shore”. Our Saturday evening fundraiser will feature a silent & live auction, and Editor: the popular “Birdchick” from Minneapolis, Sharon Stiteler. Sharon will Janelle Long entertain us from her repertoire of birding adventures. The full registra- tion includes meals both nights, field trips on Saturday & Sunday, and Design: admission to an “Advanced Hawkwatching” workshop at the Overlook. Ashley Lindsey An optional digi-scoping workshop with Sharon will be held on Saturday. Gretchen McDaniel helping get things orga- nized in the new mer- Blocks of rooms are reserved for Hawk Weekend participants at several chandise trailer - photo 2 area hotels, including the Radisson. Details will be on our website. by Debbie Waters 19 Advanced Raptor ID Workshop with Bill Clark Education Stories By Debbie Waters Hawk Ridge hosted an Advanced Rap- tor Identification Workshop this past As I drove away from October. This weekend workshop was the overlook on the last day taught by Bill Clark, author of the Peter- of my last season working for son Guide to Hawks and other raptor Hawk Ridge, I felt an over- books. The small class size allowed for whelming mix of emotions: a very personal learning experience. loss, relief, excitement and One of the participants gave this feed- peace. With the retirement of back on the workshop, “The Bill Clark David Evans (Fud), the hiring class was terrific. We can hardly believe of Frank Nicoletti as our chief we had this opportunity to spend so raptor bander, and my deci- much time with such an expert.
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