Hawk Ridge News September 29, 2005 Bird Business
... We have two seasons at Hawk Ridge: little birds and big birds, and were right in the middle now, where the little birds are trickling off and the big birds are just beginning. The little bird group includes American Kestrels, Merlins, Sharp-shinned Hawks, Broad-winged Hawks, and Ospreywhich are not exactly little birds, but were generalizing here! They normally migrate past the Ridge during September, so Osprey are trickling off now, but most of the little birds will still be moving through for another week or two. The BIG birds show up in October Red-tailed Hawks, Bald Eagles, Golden Eagles, Northern Goshawks, and Rough-legged Hawks. Adult Red-tailed Hawks are starting to move through now, with some dark morphs sighted; Turkey Vultures numbers are high now, with a couple of days during the past week of over 100 birds; and Northern Goshawk numbers are starting to pick up. As I m writing this at the main overlook, there is an immature goshawk circling overheadbeautiful! The passerine migration continues to be above average. The total number of passerines banded so far this season is about 5,600 (500 were banded within the past 7 days). The 2003 season total, which is our current record, is 6,800 birds, and at this same point in 2003, the total was 5,569. If things progress at the current place, well have a record year! Check out our website (http://www.hawkridge.org/about/news.html) for more information on the passerine migration, the BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKER seen today at the main overlook, the raptor forecast, and pictures of very interesting immature SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS... one with PALE head coloration and one with GREEN EYES. Feel free to contact me with any questions, or give us a call to find out what's happening at the overlook: 218.428.6209. __________________________________ Debbie Waters, Education Director Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory P.O. Box 3006 Duluth, MN 55803-3006 (218) 428-6209 [email protected] www.hawkridge.org "I am a predator. I hunt for knowledge!" --4th grader, Northern Lights Elementary "Migration--it's a family tradition!" --4th grader, Great Lakes Elementary -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.344 / Virus Database: 267.11.8/114 - Release Date: 9/28/2005
