Spring Raptor Migration Workshop – April 1 & 2
Hawk Ridge has been monitoring the fall bird migration since the 1950’s, but did you know that the West Skyline Hawk Count ranks as one of the top sites in the US for numbers and diversity of raptors during the spring migration? Early to mid April is likely to provide a wide variety and ages of raptors traveling through on their way north. Join us for an exciting workshop exploring the spring 2017 migration!
Have you ever wondered about differences in spring migration versus fall? Do birds use the same route in the spring that they used in the fall? Do adult birds and immature birds travel at the same time? Can you age and sex a bird in flight? How does weather impact migration patterns – is there raptor fallout? This workshop will address all of these questions, as well as the overall science of spring migration, learning basic ID skills, and counting essentials, and exploring first hand one of the top spring raptor migration sites in the US.
This field-oriented program will explore different spring count locations based on what is happening with the weather. We will carpool to different locations as needed. Early April weather can be unpredictable, so we will plan to have an indoor space where we can meet as needed to warm up, dry off and explore things indoor as needed.
The course will begin at 9 am on the 1st and will run through approximately 4 pm. On April 2nd the course will begin at 9 am and will finish around 2 pm. Participants should plan to bring a bag lunch on both days. Further information regarding logistics will be provided to participants prior to the workshop.
Workshop will be led by Margie Menzies, Hawk Ridge Public Program Director, with possible assistance from other Hawk Ridge staff/volunteers.
REGISTRATION INFO: Workshop is limited to 12 participants with minimum of 5.
COST: $120 for members of Hawk Ridge and/or Minnesota Master Naturalists, $150 for others.
PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED VIA PAYPAL BELOW.
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MARGIE MENZIES joined the Hawk Ridge staff in 2011 and is currently the Public Program Director.
Margie spent years in the formal classroom and has abandoned the indoors for the great outdoor classroom. During the summer, Margie is the naturalist and resident bird bander and general bird nerd at Sugarloaf Cove Nature Center up the North Shore in Schroeder. She works as a freelance naturalist and education consultant for a variety of organizations, such as Hartley Nature Center, Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory, and has also worked at the Great Lakes Aquarium in Duluth. She has a BA from Bethel University, and a MA from University of St.Thomas. She loves birds, learning, and sharing the natural world with people of all ages.