Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory

09/03/2026

August is in the books, and it has been a record start to the season at the count! We have counted 3,047 raptors since August 15th, more than any other August in count history! Highlights from the month include six days of 100+ Broad-winged Hawks, an early American Goshawk and migrant Merlins recorded every day of the count. Hopefully, this momentum will carry into September and the hawks keep on coming! Hope to see you at the Ridge soon.

Broad-winged Hawk, photo by Sean McLaughlin

09/02/2026

Yesterday, the rest of staff kicked off the start of the season, and we are officially underway! Naturalist staff will be at the overlook everyday until October 31st ready to share the magic of migration with you!

The birds are here and we can’t wait to see you at the Ridge!

09/01/2026

If you’re interested in volunteering with Hawk Ridge this fall, you’re invited join us this Wed. 9/2 from 6-8pm for our welcome orientation/potluck. Please RSVP to [email protected] for more info & new volunteer training dates (Sat 9/5 & Sat 9/12) or go to
https://www.hawkridge.org/support/volunteer/
Hope to see you there!

Volunteer with Hawk Ridge! Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory volunteers are AMAZING! We have a great group of nearly 70 volunteers that help primarily during the busy fall bird migration, but also with other organizational needs throughout the year. Find out more below on what opportunities are available....

08/28/2026

Hawk Ridge Fall Staff Training 2026! Welcome Team!

08/28/2026

Fall staff training week 2026! Excited to welcome the awesome crew - many return staff and many new! 🍁🦅🦉❤️

08/24/2026

Fancy a side of olives? Hawk Ridge is a fantastic place to look for migrating Olive-sided Flycatchers in August. These large flycatchers often land on tall, ubiquitous perches around the count platform.

Count and banding research continues through August! We have already tallied an incredible 8,152 migrants since the 15th, and thousands more are on their way. Hope to see you at the ridge soon!

08/19/2026

Have you seen any Common Nighthawks migrating this week? Over 4,000 have been counted so far migrating past Duluth, MN. Don't forget to join us for our new event Nighthawk Nights! A Migration Celebration! with the first night on Friday, August 21st.

Bring along the whole family and join Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory for two evenings of Nighthawk-filled fun, discovery, and learning as we celebrate the migration of the Common Nighthawk.

Pick up a Nighthawk Nights Passport and migrate through challenges, scavenger hunts, crafts, a research presentation from Steve Kolbe (Avian Ecologist & Common Nighthawk expert), and so much more! Get your passport stamped at each station to be entered into a prize drawing to win Hawk Ridge merchandise! If you attend both evenings and fill out your passport, you will earn a second entry into the raffle.

Dates: August 21st & 25th
Time: 5:30 - 7:30 pm
Location: 6008 London Road, Duluth, MN 55804 (UMD Limnology Building)
Cost: $5 suggested donation per person
What to Bring: Water, Snacks, Lawn Chair, Insect Repellent, Extra Layers, Binoculars (we have loaner pairs!)

Photo: Sean McLaughlin

08/15/2026

Counts are underway! Shake off the dog days of summer with the cool breeze at Hawk Ridge! A prime weather system is approaching, and Sunday, August 16 is forecasted to produce northwesterly winds, and hopefully a fresh batch of fall migrants!

Don't forget about the Bird Bingo hike, today at 1:00 PM!

Common Nighthawk, Photo by Sean McLaughlin

08/14/2026

Migration returns! Tomorrow is the first day of Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory's fall migration monitoring. Count and banding staff will be on site, documenting the autumn migration every day from August 15 through November 30. Naturalists will be on site weekends in August, and every day beginning September 1! Every fall season begins with great anticipation and excitement. What records will we break? What rare species will turn up? We hope to see you all at the Ridge this season to join in and appreciate the natural spectacle.

Also happening tomorrow, join Hawk Ridge Naturalists for a guided Bird Bingo Hike! Explore the new accessible trail and explore Hawk Ridge in a new way, and make sure to bring water and binoculars (loaners available). Meet at the Main Overlook at 1pm!

Merlin, Photo by Sean McLaughlin