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Central Flyway Broad-winged Hawk Project Update ![]()
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We've found five active Broad-winged Hawk nests in the Duluth area over the past month and several others outside of the city. It appears that the eggs from nests in Duluth have hatched over the past two weeks, but we have yet to see the nestlings. One clue that hatching has occurred is a change in the behavior of the incubating female. Instead of sitting low in the nest, the female often sits slightly higher and may squirm or shift as nestlings move beneath her. Can you spot the adult hawks hidden in these nest photos?![]()
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Female Broad-winged Hawks are remarkably quiet and well-camouflaged while on the nest. Most of the time, only a watchful eye peeking through the vegetation gives away their presence. The best opportunity to hear them is during prey exchanges. The male will bring food near the nest and call to its mate. The female on the nest carefully assesses whether it is safe to leave before retrieving the prey and returning to the nest. So far, we have observed adults delivering snakes, red squirrels, and small mammals.![]()
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We will continue monitoring nests and searching for new ones through early July. At that time, researchers from Hawk Mountain will join us to deploy transmitters on nesting adults. Hawk Mountain has been conducting similar research for more than a decade and brings extensive experience and expertise to this effort.![]()
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To learn more about the goals of the project visit our website at: www.hawkridge.org/research/4539-2/ . Thank you to the Minnesota Ornithologists' Union and all of our generous donors for making this work possible!
American Kestrel Nest Box Monitoring Update: Nestlings Have Arrived!![]()
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Exciting news from our American Kestrel monitoring program—many of this year's eggs have hatched, and nestlings are now filling boxes across the region!![]()
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In late May, we banded 28 adult American Kestrels and recaptured five previously banded birds. Two of the recaptured adults had been banded in 2025, while three others were birds originally banded as nestlings in 2022, 2023, and 2025. These recaptures provide valuable information about longevity, survival, and breeding-site fidelity (whether birds return to the same area to breed year after year).![]()
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Nest box occupancy remains high, with approximately 75% of boxes occupied across our study area spanning Clover Valley, Minnesota, and Douglas County, Wisconsin. Kestrels are not the only species interested in the boxes, however. This season we have documented three boxes occupied by squirrels (both red and gray squirrels) and three occupied by European Starlings.![]()
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With many chicks now hatched, the next milestone is fledging. About 30 days after hatching, young kestrels will leave the nest and begin preparing for their first migration south. Fall migration will be here before we know it!![]()
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Stay tuned for our next update, when we'll share highlights from this year's kestrel nestling banding season. Thanks to Frank Nicoletti, David Alexander, Taylor Peltier, and Emily Pavlovic for help with the work so far this season!
Join us for our Summer Naturalist Series starting tomorrow with Saturday Nature Hikes! We’ll explore a different trail each week at Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve to learn about North Shore phenology and what calls the nature reserve home for the summer! Pack your binoculars, lace up your shoes, and gear up for a fun hike!![]()
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Dates: Saturdays June 6th, 13th, & 20th ![]()
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Time: 2:00-3:30pm ![]()
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Location: Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve (meet at main overlook by Hawk Ridge signage - approx. address 3980 E Skyline Pkwy, Duluth, MN) ![]()
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Cost: Suggested donation $5 in support of Hawk Ridge bird research & education ![]()
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What to Bring: dress in layers, water, sunscreen, insect deterrent, hiking shoes/gear![]()
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Special Notes: trails are natural-surface and may be rugged with some rocky steps & hike may be canceled due to inclement weather. NEW accessible trail loop work to begin this summer!![]()
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For more information about this event visit us on our website!![]()
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www.hawkridge.org
See the number, speed, direction, and altitude of the birds cruising through the darkness on spring and fall nights by visiting BirdCast.
