“Everyone Can Bird”, and everyone saw pelicans at Chambers Grove

photo: American White Pelicans seen through a spotting scope at Chambers Grove (credit: Callie Grones)

Chambers Grove Park in Duluth, Minnesota has recently become a stopping point on the migration journey for many American White Pelicans. Up the St. Louis River near the Fond du Lac dam is the perfect place for pelicans to rest and wait for the temperatures in Canadian lakes to warm up before heading further north to their final destination. So, to celebrate the spring migration of not just pelicans, but every bird, Chambers Grove became the perfect place to hold the very first Everyone Can Bird event of the season.

Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory Education Director, Margie and Lake Superior Reserve Assistant, Callie try out the “measuring your wingspan” activity at Everyone Can Bird! (credit: Luciana Ranelli)

The 65 participants of the event were able to choose a variety of bird-themed activities. Many participants elected to go on guided birding walks with bird experts from Minnesota Land Trust and Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory. Both group walks spotted a variety of songbirds, water birds, raptors, and of course, pelicans. Spotting scopes were set up and ready for viewing pelicans as well. Participants could get creative writing bird poetry, creating bird artwork, and even playing a round of bird BINGO. ASL interpretation was available, as well as a all-terrain track chair for mobility on hiking trails.

Right now is the peak migration time in Superior and Duluth, so the number of birds to spot will only get bigger and bigger. There’s always great birds to spot in the Twin Ports, and that’s why there are two more amazing Everyone Can Bird events coming up later this season. The dates, times, and locations are below:

Everyone Can Bird - Thursday, August 21 from 9:30 to 11:30am, Millennium Trail in Superior, WI

Everyone Can Bird: Fall Migration - Saturday, October 11 from 9:30 to 11:30am, Hawk Ridge Observatory in Duluth, MN

For more information on Everyone Can Bird, visit folsr.org/events.

Lake Superior Reserve Education Coordinator, Luciana showcases the list of birds seen at Everyone Can Bird at Chambers Grove (credit: Ryan Feldbrugge)

Everyone Can Bird is a free birding series with accessibility in mind, and it is a partnership between Wisconsin Sea Grant, Lake Superior National Estuarine Research Reserve, Duluth Parks & Recreation, Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory, Minnesota Land Trust, Embark Supported Employment, and the Friends of the Lake Superior Reserve.

Article by Callie Grones

Cover photo: participants of Everyone Can Bird go on a bird walk (credit: Luciana Ranelli)