North Shore Birds
"The North Shore of Lake Superior is a treasure trove of avian jewels, where warblers and other beautiful songbirds abound during the breeding season and migration, where millions of birds pass over every fall on their southward journey, and where denizens of the far north visit every winter." Laura Erickson, from The North Shore Birding Trail: A Guide to Birding Minnesota's North Shore of Lake Superior from Duluth to Grand Portage, 2007 Audubon Minnesota
A Selection of North Shore Birds
USFWS
The return of the Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) has been one of the great environmental success stories of the last three decades. The North Shore has 70% of the natural Peregrine Falcon nest sites, or "eyries", in Minnesota. The Peregrine is a powerful and fast airborne predator that uses high cliffs for nesting and for its trademark aerial hunting. Although DDT and other environmental toxins nearly wiped out the falcons in the 1970s. The Minnesota DNR has designated nine North Shore Peregrine nesting sites as Important Bird Areas. These include Palisade Head and Split Rock Lighthouse State Park.
Fall migration
The busiest time of year for some North Shore birdwatchers is the fall hawk migration. From August through December, thousands of hawks migrating south concentrate at ridgelines to capture updrafts and other wind conditions to help their long journeys. Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory in Duluth is the best-known of these sites and is your best bet to see hundreds or even thousands of migrating hawks.
For more information
The North Shore birding trail: a guide to birding Minnesota's North Shore of Lake Superior from Duluth to Grand Portage, 2007, Audubon Minnesota, Adventure Publications
A Birder's Guide to Minnesota, 2002, Kim Eckert, Gavian Guides
North Shore bird list from Minnesota DNR
"Field Notes” with Molly Hoffman, from WTIP radio. Thursday, Friday and Saturday mornings between 9-9:30 a.m.
Sugarloaf: The North Shore Stewardship Association · Copyright 2012