Our mission is to protect birds of prey and other migratory birds
in the Western Lake Superior Region through research, education, and stewardship.  

Dear Friend,  

Thank you for partnering with us in 2010. Let us continue to work together for the birds. The 2010 Annual Fund Gift from you today will ensure another successful year for Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory. The programs core to our mission depends on it.  

The research and education that takes place at Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve each fall happens ONLY because of member and donor support. Just as the ABC’s are building blocks for words, these are the ABC’s of fall for Hawk Ridge. We hope at least one of these blocks has sparked your interest. Invest in these blocks for bird conservation and to continue to build the organization: 

ABC’s of Fall at Hawk Ridge
A - Adopt-a-Raptor & Adopt-a-Passerine
B – Bird banding, Banders (Chris, Sam, Larry), Board
C – Count (all birds!), Cameron (Counter)
D – Debbie (Ed. Director), Donations
E – Experience Hawk Ridge, Eagles
F – Future, Feathered friends, Fud (Chief Bander)  
G – Goshawk hotspot
H – Hawk Weekend, hawkcount.org, Hiking the Hawk Ridge trails
I – Interpreter (Erik), Important Bird Area
J – Julie (Vol. Coord.), Janelle (Exec. Director)                    
K – Kids, Karl (Lead Counter), Kettles     
L – Lifetime birds, Longevity records        
M – Members (300 and counting)        
N – Naturalists (Jo, Noelle, Brittnie, Sarah, Mariah, Beth)        
O – Owls (approx. 900 Saw-whets banded this year)      
P – Public Programs, Passion           
Q – Quality Research & Education       
R – Raptors, Recoveries         
S – Stewardship, Songbirds, Summit Ledges        
T – Time & Talent            
U – Understanding bird migration                  
V – VOLUNTEERS (70+), Visitors, View        
W – West/Northwest Winds         
X – eXcellent birding
Y – Year after year it gets better and better
Z – ZIP, ZIP! The sharpie wows the crowd 

We work to help birds for many reasons –

Help us give back through all the seasons

WINTER

Raptors in the Classroom – Approximately 15,000 students have shared in this fun, educational program from Hawk Ridge and visit from a live bird, since 2005.

SPRING

Western Great Lakes Owl Monitoring – 6th year of study to better understand trends, distribution, and abundance of owl species in this region through citizen-science efforts.

Spring Count – The West Skyline Hawk Count is among the overall top five highest spring counts in North America with an average of 23,000 raptors each year, including the highest spring counts for Bald Eagles and Red-tailed Hawks.

Discovering Birds - New education program for 2010! Hawk Ridge connected with 750 third grade students focusing on backyard birds and banding, including birds in hand and experiential research activities.

SUMMER

Peregrine Watch – We were able to share the Greysolon Plaza nestbox falcons with approximately 2,000 visitors this summer, including the excitement of all 4 chicks fledging.

As you enjoy the birds throughout each season, we hope you think of your experience with Hawk Ridge. The gift you make today will continue to build our organization to work for the birds year-round. Thank you again for your support. From our birdhouse to yours, we wish you a wonderful holiday season.  

Sincerely,                                                                                                                                         

Janelle Long                                                                                                                       Ray Gamache                   
Executive Director                                                                                                           Board Chair