Hawk Ridge

We had a full day today, leaving home at 5:30 and heading for Duluth. I took many photos and decided to use this as my blip because it was such an interesting place. This is Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve in Duluth. Below the ridge is the City of Duluth and Lake Superior. These people are volunteers for the Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory and are counting migrating raptors. Raptor counts have been taken here every spring and fall since 1950. They will count from August through November. Today we saw many hawks and Bald-Headed Eagles fly over. During the 2012 fall migration almost 57,000 birds were counted.

From their wesbsite: Migrating raptors, originating from summer breeding areas as far north as the Arctic and with wintering destinations as far south as points in South America, concentrate in impressive numbers at the western tip of Lake Superior.
Most raptors are reluctant to cross large bodies of water. When they migrate south and encounter Lake Superior, the birds naturally veer southwest along the lakeshore. They concentrate in impressive numbers on the bluffs overlooking East Duluth and can be easily seen from the overlook at Hawk Ridge. Of the 20 species of raptors and vultures that have been seen at Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve, the peregrine falcon and gyrfalcon are among the rarest. Whether species are common or rare, they are all thrilling to watch as they traverse the ridge, often at or below eye level.

The volunteers really enjoyed talking with and teaching the visitors. This was all very fascinating to me.