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Can you believe we're already half-way through May?! Here's an April count update from Marie and some pictures taken this month by Frank Nicoletti:![]()
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Red-tails, roughies, and sharpies, oh my!! April was an intense month at the West Skyline Hawk Count. Five days had no count due to classic cold Duluth snow, rain, or fog, despite beautiful weather just south of Duluth on many of those days. This most likely bottled up birds, and on favorable days in Duluth the bottle burst wide open! ![]()
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This April’s Red-tailed Hawk total count was the highest ever since 2004, and our total Rough-legged and Sharp-shinned Hawk numbers topped any West Skyline April ever—especially impressive considering the total hours the hawk count was conducted this April ended up being the lowest ever since a consistent count was started in 2018. We had above-average numbers of migrating Turkey Vultures, Ospreys, Bald Eagles, and Cooper’s Hawks; Northern Harriers, Merlins, and Peregrine Falcons were around average. Broad-winged Hawk numbers are incredibly variable year-to-year, and this year they did not seem to appreciate the Duluth weather and were much below average; American Kestrels were also notably below average. ![]()
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One non-raptor species stands out for special mention this April: an incredible reverse migration of Northern Flickers occurred on April 18th, with over a thousand counted at the West Skyline Hawk Count in one truly dazzling migration spectacle of yellowhammers along the ridge! Reverse migration spectacles result from favorable migration conditions suddenly turning very unfavorable, such as a sudden drop in temperature and switch to headwind, and consist of a brief period of birds flying the “wrong” direction (e.g., south instead of north in spring). This April will definitely go down in the books as one to remember!
It’s going to be a big night for migration!
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Join us this Saturday and Sunday at West Skyline Hawk Count for a fun filled weekend of programs! ![]()
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Kicking off the weekend is our Count and Connect starting at 11:00 am! Come to the count and enjoy the spring migration while enjoying a treat and looking through a spotting scope for birds! ![]()
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Following at 1:00 pm is Wings, Talons, and Tails! Join naturalist Lydia to learn more about how wing shapes, talons, and tails tell part of the stories of these migratory birds.![]()
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Wrapping up the weekend on Sunday at 1:00 pm is Wings Over West Skyline. Come learn about the count, the diversity of birds that come back every spring, and discover what makes the spring count different than the fall!![]()
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We cannot wait to see you there!
See the number, speed, direction, and altitude of the birds cruising through the darkness on spring and fall nights by visiting BirdCast.
