Hawk Ridge

Overlooking Lake Superior first thing in the morning

As the weather starts to change, migration starts. Here in Minnesota is one of the top raptor migration sites in North America - Hawk Ridge (hawkridge.org). Due to several factors, thousands of raptors pass over this ridge on the way south due each year. The first factor is the numerous thermals that are formed on a nice sunny day. This allows the raptors to soar and glide south rather than flap the whole way. The second factor is Lake Superior. Birds of prey generally won't fly over large bodies of water. These, along with a few other factors, funnel a large number of birds from Canada over this single ridge.

First year Sharp-shinned Hawk

The key to Hawk Ridge is weather. If the weather is rainy, you might as well stay home since the birds are not going to be moving. On nice sunny days, you get a respectable number of birds migrating though. The best weather for raptor migration is the first sunny day following a couple rainy days. On those days, you can see tens of thousands.

Broad-winged Hawk

Today was a good day to be at hawk ridge. After a few showers early in the morning, the clouds started to break up and thermals started to form. We started our raptor watch with a tour of the banding station. While we were there, they caught and banded 3 Sharp-shinned Hawks. Others, narrowly escaped the net. It was a treat to see all the action. Many of the birds they band are first years. They are still figuring out how to hunt and therefore tend to be a bit hungry. Because of this, they are more likely to be attracted to the lure used to bring them down to the net.

When we returned to the top of the ridge, the action in the sky was just getting underway. In the hour and a half or so that we were there we probably saw several hundred raptors. Our species included: American Kestrel, Broad-winged Hawk, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Bald Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk and a Turkey Vulture.

Not a bad morning!

Training and Other Happenings

I have been rather busy the past few weeks. The new interns have arrived and we have had several groups on site. My time has been split between working in the barn, helping to train the newbies and working with the groups that are on-site.

Last week, there was an Elderhostel group on-site. I drove a the group for a day and got to tour two local museums: The Hinckley Fire Museum and the North West Company Fur Post. For me it was a bit of a treat because it broke up my normal work routine and I hadn't been to either yet. Spending the day with a group of seniors is always interesting. I think I told my life story about a dozen times but had a good time. I also got to talk about cranes for a few minutes when we drove by 4 in a corn field!

 Ricing demonstration at the Fur Post

Hinckley Fire Memorial

In addition to the groups on site, I have been getting to know the six new interns. All but one is from the midwest (not a lot of diversity this year). The other is from Cameroon. It is interesting getting used to all the new noises and faces in the house. During work hours, I have been helping train the new folks in on classes and team building exercises.

A majority of the education team doing team building!

Myself, Jess and Jane on the course!

Besides working a TON of hours, nothing else much has been happening. I am looking forward to everybody getting settled in and gearing up for the upcoming school year!

the cities

On Sunday, I made a quick trip down to the cities. The drive was a lot easier than I thought it would be and made it to Amandas apartment by 10.

We ate at a place just down the block called Egg and I. I got a breakfast sandwich with egg, cheese and bacon on an english muffin. It was good food and good coffee!! Definitely a cute little place to go for a quick brunch.

After that, Amanda drove me around. This was my first time to the Minneapolis / St Paul area other than a couple trips to the Mall of America and the airport so it was nice to get a feel for the city. For some reason it reminds me of Melbourne. We went to Target (YAY!!) and The Minnesota History Museum. The best exhibit at the museum was MN150 - an exhibit on 150 things that help put Minnesota on the map. The things were from every aspect of culture - the brown paper bag, spam, Prince, Mayo Clinic and GPS. I learned quite about the state. They had a couple other interesting exhibits like The Greatest Generation. This one looks at the generation that was born shortly before the Great Depression and went on to serve in WWII.

Next it was on to a "nature" area along the river. It was were many of the old mills were. I found this area really beautiful. There was this neat juxtaposition between old historical buildings that were partially collapsed and the new buildings. The yellow fall color of the aspens only added to the sight. It was a neat area to walk around (unfortunately I neglected to take any pictures).

We then drove to a burger joint to meet Heidi for dinner. Then it was time to leave because homework was calling my name. Definitely a fun, quick day trip that will I will hopefully do again soon!!