The goal of the MRMTN program is to engage with Michigan K-12 educators to support them in building lesson plans and curricula focused on raptors and raptor migration for their classrooms. A group of 11 educators with students ranging in age from elementary to high school are in our learning community and eager to introduce these phenomena to their classrooms.

This trip/workshop marked our first of two site-based workshops where the group can both experience raptor migration but also work collaboratively in person sharing ideas, drafting lessons and furthering their content to make it ready for students. The first year-long phase of the MRMTN project culminates at the HMANA 50th anniversary conference in Duluth, MN where a subset of teachers will share about the program and samples of their curricula.

A less than ideal weather forecast forced some changes to the schedule but it worked out for the best as the first major stop for migration turned out to be superb for Sharp-shinned Hawks, Broad-winged Hawks and Rough-legged Hawks. Not to mention, 50 degrees and sun along Lake Superior certainly helped with the appeal.

American Kestrels are small thin falcons with wings that look like banana peels attached to their body.  The thin, dainty impression of this bird is the first thing noticed when graced with their presence.  When soaring they hold their wings mostly flat, straight out from their bodies and they remain perpendicular to the body instead of the more expected swept back falcon appearance.  They make tight circles as they gain altitude fast.  They are buoyant and animated in flight often rising and lowering while soaring, flapping and gliding; especially when any kind of wind is present.  When gliding, their wings are held slightly bowed downward and the more classic swept back shape appears.  Their glides often end with them losing speed quickly, forcing them to flap and correct themselves.

The Kestrel’s wing beat is light, fluttery and looks like they are spending a lot of time getting from point a to point b.  They will also flap and glide in direct flight, similar to Sharp-shinned Hawks but unlike the active Merlin.

Our first color stop included the North Cut River Bridge along Hwy-2. This beautiful area features a valley with moving water below and beautiful foliage looking to the North. The cantilevered steel bridge itself is a wonder to experience with stairs and trails that offer access on, around and under the structure. After taking in the views from our first stop, we finished our drive and arrived to our house on Lake Powell, just south of Munising, MI. Evolving these tours to a single lodging environment allows the group to spend more time together. Everyone had their own private space but the living and dining area proved very beneficial.

Waking up refreshed, we enjoyed a homemade breakfast and made our way to our first waterfalls; Munising and Wagner Falls. These falls are among the easiest to access and most iconic in the area. Recent rains also provided greater water flow which made them especially photogenic. For our less photography-minded participants, I was even able to teach how to take their phone photography up a level. Either way, some in our group had previously viewed these falls but agreed they looked different. As with everything in nature, things change and evolve.