Visitor’s Guide – Spring

Spring Bird Migration Visitor Information (March-May)

PLAN YOUR VISIT

We are excited for another spring bird migration season this year at the Hawk Ridge West Skyline Spring Count! Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory conducts spring bird migration monitoring by counting migrating birds of all species at 2 designated sites along West Skyline Parkway in Duluth, MN. We welcome visitors to join us this March 1 – May 31 to enjoy watching the beautiful birds making their way back to their summer homes. Here are some other helpful points to note for visiting:

Please note we have limited staff and volunteers during the spring migration. We will do our best to answer visitor questions, but may need to pause to conduct our count research accurately. If staff have put up safety cones, we ask that visitors remain outside of these marked areas.
There are no restrooms on site at the viewing pull-offs, but the Thompson Hill Rest Area may be open for use or portable toilet(s)/restroom may be available near/at Enger Park for visitors to use. We suggest bringing your own personal hand sanitizer.
We recommend bringing your own chair, optics, field guides, sunscreen, clothing layers, hat, sunglasses, food/drink, or anything else you need to be comfortable during your time viewing the migration. We do not have optics or binoculars available to share with the public.
Limited parking may be available along the roadside, but is not guaranteed. You may have to park elsewhere, such as Twin Ponds Parking Area or Enger Park Golf Course and walk. Please continue reading below for directions and other helpful info.

WHERE is the West Skyline Spring Count (DIRECTIONS)?

Good question! The answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind.

In S, SW, SE, N, NW or W winds: Enger Tower.Directions: From Hwy 35, take the Hwy 53 North exit (255A) in Duluth and continue on Hwy 53 North / Piedmont Ave to the stoplight where Piedmont Avenue splits off. Turn LEFT onto Piedmont Avenue, drive 1 block and turn LEFT onto 24th Ave West, then drive another block and turn LEFT onto West Skyline Parkway. Continue past the Enger Golf Course on West Skyline Parkway to a pullout overlook just below Enger Tower (marked with a sign, “Rice’s Point). You’ll come to West 5th Street if you go too far. If you don’t see anyone at the overlook with binoculars, try the Thompson Hill site.

In NE or E winds: Thompson Hill.Directions: From Hwy 35, take the Boundary Avenue exit (249) and cross to the north side of the freeway. Turn RIGHT onto West Skyline Parkway as if going to the Thompson Hill Rest Stop. Drive past the first rest stop entrance to the overlook directly below the rest stop. (You’ll come to the second rest stop entrance if you go too far.)

What ACTIVITIES are going on during the spring count?

Bird migration count research is the primary activity currently taking place at the spring count site with public education/interpretation more available in April & May. The counter(s) will do their best to point out “viewable” birds, but please keep in mind, we may have some very busy migration days with limited staff. If you are interested in an education program or field trip at the spring count site (schools, private groups, etc), touring, etc,), please contact Education Director, Margie Menzies, at mmenzies@hawkridge.org or (218) 428-8722.

When is the Best Time to View the Spring Migration?

The count starts March 1 and continues daily (weather pending) through May 31. Timing of species arrival is the reverse of what it is in the fall. The first arrivals in the spring are the larger raptors, such as EAGLES, both bald & golden, and ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS. Not long after that the RED-TAILED HAWKS arrive. BROAD-WINGED HAWKS and SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS begin showing up in April. In the spring, smaller birds such as Sharp-shinned Hawks and American Kestrels tend to stay down along the shore, out of range of our counters. The Northern Goshawk route is a bit of a mystery for now–our highest number for goshawks in one day during the spring is four

Peak for each species (high counts listed)

Eagles: around March 25 (Bald: 400-500/day; Golden: 10/day)
Rough-legged Hawks: April 10-20 (up to 75/day)
Red-tailed Hawks: April 10-20 (1,000-2,000/day)
Broad-winged Hawks: May 1-10 (3,000-4,000/day)
Sharp-shinned Hawks: April 10-20 (up to 450/day)

SOUTH or SOUTHWEST winds are best for big numbers of northward migrating raptors. I am happy to report the following: these are usually days with beautiful weather! WEST winds are also good, and the counters report that there are birds “on any wind”. Birds are on a mission in the spring to get to nesting territories! This means they’re not taking their time waiting for perfect migrating weather. Numbers are, however, greatly reduced in inclement weather such as fog, snow, rain, sleet, or hail.

Another spring advantage is GREAT looks! The cold ground doesn’t promote the development of huge thermals, so the birds are generally much lower, riding updrafts along the ridge instead. The ground doesn’t warm up until late May, so until then the birds will be quite low. Previous counters have reported Bald Eagles within 40 feet of them, riding the updrafts along the ridges!

You can always check our daily raptor count numbers HERE too and watch our social media pages for other updates.

We hope to see you this spring!