Exciting Time
This is such an exciting time of the year in the northwoods. Conditions are constantly changing and every day it seems more animals are out and about. The grouse have been seen out sunning themselves and some of the bald eagles have returned.
According to a report from the Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory in Duluth, MN March is usually the time when bald eagles return north to nest. Some days they will count 400-500 bald eagles migrating in a day! How awesome would that be to see? This is what else they are reporting.
Spring (West Skyline) Raptor Count
The birds fly south in the fall, so they must fly north in the spring, right? Yes! However, they are not found at Hawk Ridge in the spring because of its location on the NORTH side of Lake Superior. Instead, the SPRING COUNT takes place further to the southwest, although still in Duluth.
Here’s the skinny on the spring migration: The count starts toward mid-March and continues DAILY through the end of May. Timing of species, as you can imagine, is the reverse of what it is in the fall. The first arrivals in the spring are the EAGLES, both bald & golden, and ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS. Not long after that the RED-TAILED HAWKS arrive. BROAD-WINGED HAWKS and SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS begin showing up in April.
Here’s the peak for each species (high counts listed):
Eagles: around March 25 (Bald: 400-500/day; Golden: 10/day)
Rough-legged Hawks: April 10-20 (up to 75/day)
Red-tailed Hawks: April 10-20 (1,000-2,000/day)
Broad-winged Hawks: May 1-10 (3,000-4,000/day)
Sharp-shinned Hawks: April 10-20 (up to 450/day)
Raptors flying north through our area in the spring are a little more spread out…we don’t have as great of a natural funnel for northward migration as we do at Hawk Ridge for the southward migration in the fall. In the spring, smaller birds such as Sharp-shinned Hawks and American Kestrels tend to stay down along the shore, out of range of our counters. The Northern Goshawk route is a bit of a mystery for now–our highest number for goshawks in one day during the spring is four.
What about weather? SOUTH or SOUTHWEST winds are best for big numbers of northward migrating raptors. I am happy to report the following: these are usually days with beautiful weather! WEST winds are also good, and the counters report that there are birds "on any wind". Birds are on a mission in the spring: Get To Nesting Territories! This means they’re not taking their time waiting for perfect migrating weather. Numbers are, however, greatly reduced in inclement weather such as fog, snow, rain, sleet, or hail.
Another spring advantage? GREAT looks! The cold ground doesn’t promote the development of huge thermals, so the birds are generally much lower, riding updrafts along the ridge instead. The ground doesn’t warm up until late May, so until then the birds will be quite low. Previous counters have reported Bald Eagles within 40 feet of them, riding the updrafts along the ridges!
WHERE is the spring count? Good question! The answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind.
In S, SW, SE, N, NW or W winds: Enger Tower.
Directions: From Hwy 35, take the Hwy 53 North exit (255A) in Duluth and continue on Hwy 53 North / Piedmont Ave to the stoplight where Piedmont Avenue splits off. Turn LEFT onto Piedmont Avenue, drive 1 block and turn LEFT onto 24th Ave West, then drive another block and turn LEFT onto West Skyline Parkway. Continue past the Enger Golf Course on West Skyline Parkway to a pullout overlook just below Enger Tower (marked with a sign, "Rice’s Point). You’ll come to West 5th Street if you go too far. If you don’t see anyone at the overlook with binoculars, try the Thompson Hill site.
In NE or E winds: Thompson Hill.
Directions: From Hwy 35, take the Boundary Avenue exit (249) and cross to the north side of the freeway. Turn RIGHT onto West Skyline Parkway as if going to the Thompson Hill Rest Stop. Drive past the first rest stop entrance to the overlook directly below the rest stop. (You’ll come to the second rest stop entrance if you go too far.)
What ACTIVITIES are going on during the spring count? Counting is the only activity taking place at the spring watch site. Unless busy, the counter(s) will be able to point out "viewable" birds. It can be a great time, especially for those not new to hawkwatching. If you’re a beginner, however, we highly recommend visiting Hawk Ridge during the fall to take advantage of the services of the volunteers and naturalists.