Hawk Ridge, Duluth

Broad-winged hawk flights, mid to late September Most raptors are reluctant to cross big water, so when they meet Lake Superior they veer southwest along the shore and straight past this hillside overlook above Duluth. The standardized count runs from mid-August through November and averages more than 94,000 raptors a season. The vast majority are broad-winged hawks, and most of them have gone through by the end of September, so the middle of that month is the time for swirling kettles. October and November bring a broader mix of species for anyone who misses the rush. Rain or an easterly wind can shut down a peak day, so leave yourself a few days of flexibility rather than one fixed date.