A parade of raptors at Duluth's Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve

September 27, 2020 at 2:26AM

Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve offers sweeping views of Lake Superior and gorgeous autumn color. But most visitors keep their eyes on the skies.

This 235-acre parcel — at the highest point along the eastern section of Skyline Parkway in Duluth — hosts one of nature's greatest parades each fall, the mass migration of birds of prey winging from their summer breeding grounds as far north as the Arctic to their winter homes as far away as South America. Because most prefer to fly over land rather than open water, the spectacular array of raptors hug the western shore of Superior. That pathway makes Hawk Ridge one of the best places in North America to witness the annual show.

Nearly 2,500 majestic bald eagles, 46 powerful peregrine falcons, 128 fish-loving osprey and more than 5,000 sharp-shinned hawks and have flown by this time around, as of Sept. 21. To that, add swarming kettles of broad-winged hawks; viewers have spotted 32,348 of this bird as part of the Fall Raptor Count, hosted by Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory, the education and conservation organization that cares for Hawk Ridge.

Weather permitting, Hawk Ridge staff are on hand daily, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., through Oct. 31 to answer questions. A wooden observation deck is closed to visitors this year, but there is a nearby hawk-watching site, and hiking trails lead to others. Bring your own binoculars. For more information on raptors and to plan a visit, go to hawkridge.org.

Kerri Westenberg • 612-673-4282

@kerriwestenberg


John Richardson, the Hawk Ridge fall count director, showed off a sharp-shinned hawk to visitors on Tuesday. The hawk was caught in their banding center and was released after being shown to the class. ] ALEX KORMANN • alex.kormann@startribune.com Hawk Ridge in Duluth is a favorite spot of Minnesota bird watchers. Boasting the largest raptor banding operation in the world, Hawk Ridge sees thousands of birds every year during fall migration. With the leaves changing color and various outdoor prog
John Richardson, the Hawk Ridge fall count director, showed off a sharp-shinned hawk to visitors. The hawk was caught in their banding center and was released after being shown to the class. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
A birdwatcher took in the sights of fall migration and the changing leaves colors at Hawk Ridge on Tuesday morning. ] ALEX KORMANN • alex.kormann@startribune.com Hawk Ridge in Duluth is a favorite spot of Minnesota bird watchers. Boasting the largest raptor banding operation in the world, Hawk Ridge sees thousands of birds every year during fall migration. With the leaves changing color and various outdoor programs, the conservatory brings in between 100-200 visitors each day.
A birdwatcher, left, took in the sights of fall migration at Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve recently. John Richardson, the Hawk Ridge fall count director, showed off a sharp-shinned hawk to visitors. The bird had been caught in the organization’s banding center and was later released. See more photos of Hawk Ridge at startribune.com/travel. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
John Richardson, the Hawk Ridge fall count director, showed off a sharp-shinned hawk to visitors on Tuesday. The hawk was caught in their banding center and was released after being shown to the class. ] ALEX KORMANN • alex.kormann@startribune.com Hawk Ridge in Duluth is a favorite spot of Minnesota bird watchers. Boasting the largest raptor banding operation in the world, Hawk Ridge sees thousands of birds every year during fall migration. With the leaves changing color and various outdoor prog
John Richardson, the Hawk Ridge fall count director, showed off a sharp-shinned hawk to visitors on Tuesday. The hawk was caught in their banding center and was released after being shown to the class. ]ALEX KORMANN • alex.kormann@startribune.comHawk Ridge in Duluth is a favorite spot of Minnesota bird watchers. Boasting the largest raptor banding operation in the world, Hawk Ridge sees thousands of birds every year during fall migration. With the leaves changing color and various outdoor programs, the conservatory brings in between 100-200 visitors each day. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

about the writer

Kerri Westenberg

Health and Science Editor

Health and Science Editor Kerri Westenberg edits the Science & Health section of the Sunday newspaper.

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