Fall migration brings strong numbers of birds along the North Shore
Fall migration is underway along the North Shore, with thousands of birds moving south across the region.
At Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory in Duluth, the season is already producing some notable numbers. Margie Menzies, education director at Hawk Ridge, says the observatory counted more raptors in August than ever before during its 55th season of monitoring migration.
Of the raptors migrating through the area in August, Menzies said Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory recorded more broad-winged hawks than ever before. A particularly big flight day on Sept. 17 brought 19,768 broad-winged hawks through Hawk Ridge. Menzies says the species is migrating much more strongly this year after a record-low count last year.
In September so far, Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory said it has counted close to 50,000 raptors. American Kestrels have also had a strong turnout this year. On Sept. 18, the organization counted 377 kestrels, the fifth-highest single-day kestrel flight in the history of Hawk Ridge.
Broad-winged hawk in Cook County | Photo by Kalli Hawkins
While raptors are making a strong showing along the North Shore, other species, including blue jays, monarch butterflies, and dragonflies, are also being recorded in notable numbers.
“We have been having an incredible blue jay flight this year,” Menzies said. “So far, we’ve counted 59,369.”
Several WTIP listeners have also reported seeing what seems like an increased presence of blue jays in Cook County this fall.
Menzies said the increase likely points to a successful breeding season, with parent blue jays sending their young out to find their way in the world. The juveniles, she said, appear to have decided “that being together and partying as a group seems to be preferable to flying solo and trying to figure out where you’re going.”
WTIP spoke with Margie Menzies, education director at Hawk Ridge, to learn more about the fall bird migration along the North Shore. Audio is below.
Kalli Hawkins September 28, 2026
