Another season of Everyone Can Bird events came to a close on Hawk Ridge in Duluth. The event highlighted one of the most magnificent phenomena in birding, the fall hawk migration.

Sharp-shinned hawks, northern harriers, bald eagles, and turkey vultures were among the avian migrants that had Everyone Can Bird participants looking to the sky on October 17. Hawk Ridge staff guided birding at the main outlook and facilitated activities such as the “Migration Challenge” and the “Eyes on the Skies” to educate participants about the struggles birds may face and the importance of good environmental stewardship. Pat Collins, retired natural resource professional from the Minnesota Land Trust and one of FOLSR’s founding board members, led guided birding hikes through the forest for a more personal birding experience. In an exciting addition to the planned activities, participants were able to view hawk banding by Hawk Ridge staff. Several participants were given an opportunity to release birds after they had been caught and banded!

Fall is a time of great change, as much for the leaves on the trees as the animals that live amongst them. For birds, autumn can bring long journeys as they transition from their summer to winter homes. Summer breeding areas can be as far north as the Arctic and wintering homes as far south as South America. Traversing such a distance is anything but easy. Birds can run into a plethora of hazards along their path, including extreme weather, predation, habitat loss, or collision with human-made structures. Hawk Ridge is especially important to this migration because of its position overlooking Lake Superior. As hawks, and other birds, are reluctant to fly over big bodies of water, they become concentrated along shorelines and bluffs. These areas provide a safe place to rest before they continue on their way, making them incredibly important to preserve.

The 2026 Everyone Can Bird event series provided three opportunities for community members of all skill levels to gather and appreciate the beauty of our feathered friends. The partnership behind the series worked to remove common barriers that prevent people from birding. They provided free binoculars to borrow, free transportation to and from the events, ASL interpretation, an all-terrain track chair, and a variety of moving and stationary activities.

Birding throughout the seasons changes dramatically as birds migrate back and forth between their homes. Whatever time of year it is, birding reminds us to slow down and observe the world around us. Birds are one of many animals that share the estuary with us and benefit from a healthy and clean environment. These events allow us to see exactly what FOLSR is working towards: a healthy and thriving St. Louis River Estuary.

FOLSR is proud to partner with the organizations that make Everyone Can Bird events possible, including Duluth Parks and Recreation, Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory, Wisconsin Sea Grant, Minnesota Land Trust, LiveWell, and the Lake Superior Reserve. FOLSR sends a big thank you to everyone who came out to any of the Everyone Can Bird events this year.

Everyone Can Bird will return in 2027. FOLSR will announce dates and locations when they become available. We can’t wait to see you at the next birding event! Join us for the Audubon Christmas Bird Count on January 2, 2027, and be a part of over a century of nationwide community science.

Check out some photos of the programming from the Hawk Ridge Everyone Can Bird!