Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory

10/13/2026

This already banded adult Sharp-shinned Hawk was recaptured by Raptor Ba**er Sarah this past week. When we looked up the band we discovered that it was originally banded at Hawk Ridge in the fall of 2015 as a hatch-year. That means that this bird is just over 11 years old! The current longevity record in the Bird Banding Laboratory database is 12 years 9 months, so this bird isn't far off and seemed to be in great health.

It's always astounding to get a recapture and think about the incredible journey that bird has been on year after year. Migration is amazing!

*All birds handled with appropriate state and federal permits for research purposes*

10/12/2026

Update from the Broad-winged Hawk Project! Four Broad-winged Hawks that were tagged in Minnesota this summer/fall are headed south. Here are the last locations for each bird:

Brewer - Guatemala
Willow & Cadotte - southern Mexico
Flynn - Kansas

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⏟ MIGRATION MONDAY ⏟ ⏟
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The most recent check in showed birds in the following locations:

🇵🇦 Panama
Reay

🇨🇷 Costa Rica
Amelia

🇳🇮 Nicaragua
Kathleen & Potts

🇭🇳 Honduras
Mattawa & Miskwabi & Minden

🇬🇹 Guatemala
Moose & Brewer & Ottauquechee

🇲🇽 southern Mexico
Granite & Willow & Stuart & Morgan & Billings & Seguin & Cadotte & Ridge & Muskoka

🇺🇸 USA
Flynn (Kansas)
Largo & May (Florida)

10/11/2026

September was an exceptional month back at the raptor blind. Our September totals were higher than the season total last year!

We trapped a total of 8 broad-winged hawks in September - up from last year’s 2. With the season average in recent years hovering around 7 Broad-winged Hawks, seeing 8 in September alone is quite exciting.

Our Sharp-shinned Hawk capture numbers have already eclipsed the total number for 2025.

Additionally, we have banded more American Kestrel total at our main station from last season.

Other special highlights include a Bald Eagle, 28 Merlins, and 14 Red-tailed Hawks from the main station!

With plenty of time left in the trapping season, we are excited to see what the rest of October will bring!

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SY F Cooper’s hawk

*All birds handled with appropriate state and federal permits for research purposes*

10/09/2026

1, 100, 1,000 owls!

Last night, the owl banders caught the 1,000th new Northern Saw-whet Owl of the season at Hawk Ridge. The 1st owl was caught on opening night, the 100th owl five nights into the season, and now the 1,000th 10 nights ahead of last year! In addition to this exciting benchmark of the season, we also doubled our Long-eared Owl total last night, going from 4 to 8. We cannot wait to see what the rest of October brings to the Hawk Ridge owl banding station.

10/08/2026

While Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory is known for its excellent fall migration of raptors, it hosts a diversity of life outside of birds. Meet some of the other animals that call Hawk Ridge home.

Red-bellied Snake - Growing up to 16 inches in length, the red-bellied snake is perfectly at home under a rock or log. If you are lucky, you might also see this snake in your backyard where it feeds on pesky slugs. Did you know instead of laying eggs this snake gives birth to live young?

Franklin’s Ground Squirrel - This plucky little rodent is a regular guest of Hawk Ridge’s bird feeders. Instead of climbing trees, this squirrel prefers to live in underground burrows. Fairly soon they will be nestled up for winter hibernation. We have seen them as late as November at Hawk Ridge.

Spring Peeper - Have you ever heard a bird that Merlin couldn’t identify? It might be because it’s not a bird - it’s a frog! These fingernail sized frogs are named for their surprisingly loud chirping call. Though peepers breed in the spring, they can be heard calling well into the fall.

Photo credit: Jedda

10/07/2026

10/07/2026

As the birds have been flying by, these shirts have been flying off our shelves! We love the 2 new designs created by featured artist Christina Baal for Hawk Ridge this fall! If you haven’t been able to get one in person at Hawk Ridge, exciting news is that you can now purchase online here: https://hawkridgeobservatory.itemorder.com/shop/home/

Thank you to Christina and to all that have visited/shopped at Hawk Ridge to help support our work! You can check out more of Christina’s beautiful bird artwork at drawingtenthousandbirds.com

10/05/2026

Whoose feet are whoose??

The Northern Saw-whets (lovingly nicknamed "swheties") receive regular bands and have talons like kitten claws, perfect for taking down mice and voles. Great Horned Owls receive rivet bands and have the strongest grip of any raptor we work with—including the eagles they share bands with—due to their ability to "lock" and ratchet their talons just like ratchet straps. They prefer larger prey items such as rabbits and skunks. These incredible birds never cease to blow us away and we were delighted by a visit from not one, but two Great Horned Owls already this season.

10/04/2026

Have you seen any Merlin this fall? We sure have--every day! This season, at least one Merlin has been observed in active migration each day since August 15, a streak of 50 days! These small falcons are expanding and increasing around the Great Lakes and eastern North America, with raptor counts reporting increases across the board. Merlin will continue through the end of October, and peter out through the first half of November. Swing by the Ridge to spot one of these fierce falcons for yourself!

Merlin, photo by Sean McLaughlin

10/01/2026

Thanks to the UMD Bird Club for helping birds and you can too! Anna is the president of the bird club and one of our Hawk Ridge Naturalists, who is also leading owl programs this fall. Way to go Anna!