Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory

We had a great visit from the Broad-winged Hawk Project researchers last week! Check out these cute pictures from a nest out east and stay tuned for Central Flyway Broad-winged Hawk project updates.

Have you seen Broad-winged Hawks in Minnesota this summer? Report any Minnesota observations to the link in the comments.

Central Flyway Broad-winged Hawk Project - Go Time!

The time is finally here! Researchers from Hawk Mountain are joining us in the field to band and deploy transmitters on adult Broad-winged Hawks.

Look at how much the nestlings have grown! Most of the nests we have found appear to have two to three nestlings. Can you spot both nestlings in this picture? In a few weeks, they will leave the nest and begin preparing for migration.

To learn more about the project, see the link in the comments or our bio. Thank you to The Minnesota Ornithologists' Union - MOU and many individual donors for the support of this project!

The Broad-winged Hawk Project, Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Association

Today we recaptured a Golden-winged Warbler at Hawk Ridge that was originally banded at Hawk Ridge in 2020 and aged as an after second year at the time. That means that this bird is at least 8 years old! This is one example of the amazing information we can gain from birds by participating in the Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship (MAPS) program.

Kick off your holiday weekend and step into the exciting world of songbird banding research and join the Hawk Ridge banding team to explore MAPS (Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship)! Get an up-close look at wild birds, learn why we band birds, what we learn from studying birds in hand, and so much more!

Our first banding program is this Saturday, July 4th (backup July 5th) from 8:00-10:00 am!

Dates: Saturdays July 4th (5th), 11th (12th), 25th (26th), & Aug 1st (2nd) (NOTE: backup weather dates in parentheses)

Time: 8-10 am

Location: Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve (meeting location will be confirmed in email)

Cost: $10 members/students, $20 general

Register by 4pm day prior: send email to [email protected] with name, number of participants, and phone contact to call/text with changes (payment link & meeting location will be sent)

What to Bring: dress in layers, water, sunscreen, insect deterrent, hiking shoes/gear

Special Notes: If you are interested in checking the bird nets with our banders, be prepared to hike over muddy (muck boots often needed!) and uneven ground. Trails are natural-surface and may be rugged with some rocky steps. *Note that bird banding can be cancelled or rescheduled at any time due to rain or high winds. Make sure to include an email and cell/text contact so that we can inform you of any changes in plans for the program

Visit our website for more information!