Spring Raptor Migration Workshop & Presentation April 9-10

Spring Raptor Migration Weekend Workshop
April 9-10

Bald Eagle by Karl Bardon

Hawk Ridge has been monitoring the fall bird migration since the 1950’s, but did you know that the West Skyline Hawk Count Site ranks as one of the top 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 travelling through on their way north. Join us for an exciting workshop exploring the spring 2016 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 count locations based on what is happening with the weather. We will carpool to different locations as needed. Depending on weather, we may also be able to visit spring raptor banding in the area.

The course will begin at 9 am on the 9th and will run through approximately 4 pm. Participants will break for dinner and then can attend the public evening presentation at Hartley Nature Center at 7:00 pm (see program description below). On April 10, 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 co-lead by Clinton Nienhaus, Head Naturalist Sax-Zim Bog and Education Director Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory, and Margie Menzies, Public Program Director, Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory.

REGISTRATION INFO: Workshop is limited to 12 participants with minimum of 7. COST: $120 for Members of Hawk Ridge, Hartley Nature Center, Friends of Sax-Zim Bog, and/or Minnesota Master Naturalists, $150 for others. MUST REGISTER ON-LINE BELOW

REGISTER NOW via PayPal

Call 218-428-6209 or email mmenzies@hawkridge.org with any questions.

Evening Presentation

Bald Eagles and Lead Poisoning

By Wildwoods Wildlife Rehabilitation Staff
7:00 pm, Sat. April 9, 2016
Hartley Nature Center

Bald Eagles were removed from the endangered species list in 1995, after an amazing recovery from the detrimental effects of DDT. Today, Minnesotans enjoy the largest population of breeding Bald Eagles in the US south of Alaska. However, these birds are once again facing harmful effects and this time from lead poisoning. Wildwoods Wildlife Rehabilitation staff have been the frontline in dealing with this issue in the Northland, working closely with the Raptor Center in St. Paul. Join Wildwoods staff and hear firsthand about their experiences in dealing with lead poisoned Bald Eagles and other wildlife. Learn what we need to know and what can we do to reverse this trend to prevent the need for the Bald Eagle from returning to the endangered species list.

REGISTRATION INFO: The presentation will be held Sat. April 9th from 7-8 pm at Hartley Nature Center in Duluth. COST: Free for members of Hawk Ridge, Hartley Nature Center, MN Master Naturalist, and/or Friends of Sax-Zim Bog – OR- $5/non-member

NOTE: Pre-registration is not required for the evening presentation, non-members pay at door Please call 218-428-6209 or email mmenzies@hawkridge.org with any questions.

LEADER(S)/SPEAKER INFO:

CLINTON NIENHAUS is the Head Naturalist for the Friends of Sax-Zim Bog, as well as the Education Director for Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory, thanks to a grant from the Lloyd K. Johnson Foundation for 2016. On top of that, he is finishing his Master’s at the University of Minnesota Duluth and is the Vice President of the Duluth Audubon Society. Birds, fish, reptiles and amphibians, plants, and dragonflies are his passions, but really, for a naturalist everything is exciting! Clinton is a native of southern Minnesota, but currently lives in Duluth.

MARGIE MENZIES spent years in the formal classroom and has abandoned the indoors for the great outdoor classroom. During the summer, Margie is the naturalist 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. Margie joined the Hawk Ridge staff in 2011 and is currently the Public Program Director.

Cancellation Policy

100% refund one month prior to the workshop 75% refund less than one month, if your spot can be filled from a wait list, 25% will be retained as an administrative fee. No refund if cancellation occurs less than two weeks prior to the start of the workshop. In the case of illness or injury, and the participant cannot attend the field trip, refund is 100% if notification is more than one month in advance, and 75% refund if less than one month retaining 25% as an administrative fee.

Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory reserves the right to cancel, if registration is too low to make it economically feasible, or for other reasons, including weather, safety, unavailability of trip leader, etc. In such cases Hawk Ridge will refund registrants’ fee in full. Hawk Ridge also reserves the right to make changes to an advertised itinerary as circumstances require.