Sharpies and Kestrels - Hawk Ridge Update

By Cory Ritter

While Bald Eagles and Ospreys have been coming though in reliably good numbers as of late, Sharp-shinned Hawks and American Kestrels just kicked into gear on Friday, September 7th. As it turns out, it was our best day of the season for total raptors (554), and our biggest day for Bald Eagles (98), Sharp-shinned Hawks (375), American Kestrels (31), Merlins (6), and Peregrine Falcons (3).

The raptors are picking up, and diversity is high (12 raptor species on the 7th). It won't be long before the broadwings make their big push!

Sharp-shinned Hawk; Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory; St. Louis County, MN; 6 September 2013

Osprey; Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory; St. Louis County, MN; 3 September 2013

Broad-winged Hawk; Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory; St. Louis County, MN; 4 September 2013

Broad-winged Hawk; Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory; St. Louis County, MN; 4 September 2013

Broad-winged Hawk; Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory; St. Louis County, MN; 4 September 2013

Northern Harrier and Cedar Waxwings; Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory; St. Louis County, MN; 5 September 2013

Turkey Vulture; Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory; St. Louis County, MN; 6 September 2013

American White Pelicans; Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory; St. Louis County, MN; 3 September 2013

American Crow with white wing patches; Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory; St. Louis County, MN; 5 September 2013

Cedar Waxwing; Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory; St. Louis County, MN; 5 September 2013

Bobolink; Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory; St. Louis County, MN; 7 September 2013

Raptors of Hawk Ridge: Early Birds

By Cory Ritter

The fall count season at Hawk Ridge officially began on August 15th, but, as the assistant hawk counter, I didn't start until the 31st. While the days are still quite hot and slow, we are most grateful for two things: rare raptors, and Bald Eagles.

Early in the count-season is the best time to see both Mississippi Kites and Swainson's Hawks here at Hawk Ridge, and both are a welcomed reward for standing out in the heat all day—not to mention a lister's nightmare to time correctly. We've already racked up a few rewards this season, as we have two Mississippi Kites (August 27th and September 4th) and one Swainson's Hawk (September 2nd) on the official count—all of which were out of range for photographs, as luck would have it.

Bald Eagles, on the other hand, are far from rare. Instead, they are one of the most consistent migrants from the first to the last day of the count at Hawk Ridge, and we average more than 4,400 per season over the past five years. We are very thankful for Bald Eagles because they help keep the sanity on the count platform when there would otherwise be no raptors flying. Yesterday, for example, we counted 67 raptors among four species, of which 42 were Bald Eagles.

Now, a collection of photos from my first day on the job last Saturday. Sorry, there are no photos of Mississippi Kites, Swainson's Hawks, or even Bald Eagles—yes, even after all of that blathering.

Sharp-shinned Hawk; Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory; St. Louis County, MN; 31 August 2013

Sharp-shinned Hawk; Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory; St. Louis County, MN; 31 August 2013

Sharp-shinned Hawk; Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory; St. Louis County, MN; 31 August 2013

Northern Harrier; Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory; St. Louis County, MN; 31 August 2013

Northern Harrier; Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory; St. Louis County, MN; 31 August 2013

Northern Harrier; Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory; St. Louis County, MN; 31 August 2013

Merlin; Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory; St. Louis County, MN; 31 August 2013

Merlin; Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory; St. Louis County, MN; 31 August 2013

American Kestrel; Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory; St. Louis County, MN; 31 August 2013

Red-tailed Hawk; Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory; St. Louis County, MN; 31 August 2013

Turkey Vulture; Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory; St. Louis County, MN; 31 August 2013

American Crow; Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory; St. Louis County, MN; 31 August 2013

American Crow; Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory; St. Louis County, MN; 31 August 2013

Gray Ghost

By Cory Ritter

With their clean white underparts and gray upper side, the adult male Northern Harrier makes for a stunning raptor. These birds are certainly crowd pleasers.

Take a look at this adult male Northern Harrier that was caught by Frank Nicoletti at Hawk Ridge's main banding station in late September. Hawk Ridge naturalist, Margie, is displaying this bird for the public.

Adult male Northern Harrier, 9/24/2012, Hawk Ridge, Duluth, MN

Adult male Northern Harrier, 9/24/2012, Hawk Ridge, Duluth, MN 

Adult male Northern Harrier, 9/24/2012, Hawk Ridge, Duluth, MN

Adult male Northern Harrier, 9/24/2012, Hawk Ridge, Duluth, MN

Here are some photos of an adult male Northern Harrier in flight that I took while counting hawks at Whitefish Point Bird Observatory this spring.

adult male Northern Harrier, 5/27/2012, Whitefish Point Bird Observatory, Paradise, MI

adult male Northern Harrier, 5/27/2012, Whitefish Point Bird Observatory, Paradise, MI

This is what I like to call the 'directing traffic' pose of the adult male Northern Harrier

adult male Northern Harrier, 5/27/2012, Whitefish Point Bird Observatory, Paradise, MI

adult male Northern Harrier, 5/27/2012, Whitefish Point Bird Observatory, Paradise, MI

Early Season Raptors

By Cory Ritter

Early to mid-September can produce some decent flights--and not just big broadwing days. Take a look at a short collection of some birds that came by Hawk Ridge in the middle of September.

Immature Sharp-shinned Hawk, 9/11/2012, Duluth, MN

Immature Northern Harrier, 9/11/2012, Duluth, MN

Immature Northern Harrier, 9/11/2012, Duluth, MN (same individual as above)

Immature Sharp-shinned Hawk, 9/13/2012, Duluth, MN

Male American Kestrel, 9/11/2012, Duluth, MN

Male American Kestrel, 9/11/2012, Duluth, MN (same individual as above) 

Adult Bald Eagle, 9/15/2012, Duluth, MN

A Harrier and a Bobcat

Went out hoping to photograph the local Burrowing Owl yesterday, but had no luck.  There has been a second year (?) Northern Harrier at the spot every time I've been there, though.  I got some photos, although they're nothing to rave about.  On my drive back I saw a bobcat about twenty meters off the road.  I went to take some photos, and spent about twenty minutes stalking this elusive little fellow before successfully getting any photos.  Luckily one came out.

Thinking SY based on adult gray feathers along with retained brown first-winter plumage. Adventitiously molting S1 and maybe S2.

By Luke Musher