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 Spring/Summer Issue | 2010 Duluth, MN Peregrine Falcon 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 falcons’ food (birds) are accumulating toxins through their food. So, the falcons aren’t eating Peregrine Falcon 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. animal on the planet. They have been Peregrine Falcons are 16 to 20 DDT didn’t directly kill off eagles 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 eggs 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 Owl 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 Nighthawk 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 (Osprey) $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 (Eagle) $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 Owls 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-Hawks 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).