NEW Spring Public Programs 2026!
We are excited to introduce and invite you to join us for some new weekend spring public program offerings, as well as continuing events, like our Spring Migration Celebration! You can find out more information below on dates/times.
LOCATION: Please note spring location can vary depending on the winds that day to either below Thompson Hill rest area or below Enger Tower (directions located in Spring Visitor’s guide HERE) and to locate which site we are at for the day please click on our live count button HERE or from our home page at hawkridge.org and look in the comments section.
Wings over West Skyline (every Sunday @1pm)
Join us at the West Skyline Spring Count every Sunday March-May for a short 15-30 min intro program to learn about the count and the amazing diversity of birds coming back in the spring! Find out why our two spring count sites are on the west side of Skyline Pkwy vs the east side at Hawk Ridge, what makes the spring count different from the fall count, and which species do we see in greater numbers during spring than the fall. All sorts of fascinating variations to explore between the seasons!
Spring Migration Saturday Series (every Saturday @1pm)
Join us at the West Skyline Spring Count every Saturday at 1pm from March 21-May 30 for a 30-45 minute program about the spring migration. Learn who is migrating through Duluth and learn skills like how to use Merlin and eBird to identify and record your observations. Stick around before or after the program to enjoy the migration! May program dates:
Wings, Talons, and Tails – May 9th
What do wing shapes, talons, and tails tell us about the lives of the raptors we see migrating here in Duluth twice a year? Every one of these birds has a unique story to tell, and we have plenty of bird biofacts to help us tell the tales, or was that tails? Come and explore with us what’s in the wing box.
Migration Mysteries – May 16th
Did you know that Minnesota hosts more than 400 species of birds through the course of a year, but that only about 56 species are found here year-round? So there’s a whole lot of migration going on, and some incredible stories. Where are they going? How long does it take them to get there? Some achieve incredible feats greater than most athletes have ever attempted- how many of them can run the equivalent of 5-minute miles for 24-48 hours straight non-stop? Some birds do this! Join us to learn more about some super migrants! Guaranteed to blow your mind!
eBird 101 – May 23rd
Historically, the Annual Christmas Bird Count has been the longest ongoing example of citizen science. eBird recognized a good strategy and blew it up to a year-round extravaganza of birding worldwide. Learn the basics of how to navigate and contribute, check out the nearest birding hotspots wherever you are, and keep your life list up to date at the touch of a button! Bring your cell phone, and we’ll get you started.
Count and Connect (select Saturdays in April & May @11am) April 11th, April 25th, May 9th, & May 23rd
Come to the count and connect with others all while watching the spring migration at the West Skyline Spring Count! Borrow a pair of binoculars, look through a naturalist’s spotting scope, and learn about the wonders of migration. Coffee and treats will be available until they’re gone!
LOCATION:
All spring programs will take place at the spring count site for the day – either the West Skyline Parkway pull off below Enger Tower or the West Skyline Parkway pull off below the Minnesota Welcome Center (Thompson Hill). Check the Hawk Ridge website main page and click on LIVE COUNT to learn where the count is for the day (location will be in the comments). All programming is free and open to the public. No registration required. Suggested $5 donation to help support our programming. See you at the spring count!
Spring Migration Celebration
April 25-26th, 2026
Join us for an exciting weekend exploring the Spring 2026 bird migration! Late April is a great time to view a wide variety and ages of raptors traveling through on their way north, as well as plenty of other species of birds. Daily programs will be held at the Spring Count site each day and are open to the public of all ages. In these drop-in programs, you will learn about the exciting science of spring migration, raptor identification techniques, natural history of key species, current Hawk Ridge Research, and more! During the weekend, Hawk Ridge educators will also lead daily field trips to local birding hotspots to learn about the migration (ex. Park Point, Duluth Harbor and St. Louis River area). Pre-registration will be required for field trips. Please click HERE for detailed schedule and to register!
Support the “Skyline Scopers” Raptorthon
April 25th, 2026
Join us in celebrating the spring bird migration by sponsoring the Hawk Ridge team “Skyline Scopers” led by spring/fall counter Marie Hosch in the 2026 Raptorthon! The Raptorthon is an annual event hosted by the Hawk Migration Association (hawkmigration.org/raptorthon/) held at hawkwatch sites during the spring. Sponsoring Team Skyline Scopers will help support both the spring migration research and education efforts at the Hawk Ridge West Skyline Hawk Count and the raptor conservation efforts of the Hawk Migration Association! The Raptorthon goal is to count the maximum number of raptor (and other bird!) species within a 24-hour period of time to raise proceeds for raptor conservation. Your sponsorship/donation for team Skyline Scopers is much appreciated! To donate to Team Skyline Scopers – please click HERE or donate through Hawk Ridge HERE and note “Raptorthon” with your online donation or mailed check. Thank you!
NEW Spring Merchandise
Grab some Hawk Ridge gear while visiting the count this year. We will have a limited selection of merchandise for sale during the spring count on weekends and some weekdays. We are excited to introduce a NEW spring shirt design by artist & spring/fall counter, Marie Hosch! Marie designed a beautiful pair of Bald Eagles sharing a story of spring migration, as witnessed along West Skyline.