Weekends at Wolf Ridge: Migration Stories
September 26 @ 3:00 p.m. - September 28 @ 3:00 p.m.
$390
Spend a glorious fall weekend on the North Shore of Minnesota gaining hands-on experience and learning from experts in their field.
Workshops take place on the Wolf Ridge campus and surrounding areas, with lodging and meals provided. Whether you’re a seasoned naturalist or just a curious learner, the experience is designed for lifelong learners who have a passion for the natural world. Participants select a single workshop for the weekend but will have an opportunity to connect with other workshop groups during meals and evening programming.
Workshop: Migration Stories
Minnesota has about 444 different species of birds, and almost 90% of them migrate! In this workshop we will dive into bird migration literally and figuratively! Why do birds travel such distances? What are the things a bird must know to migrate? Does the whole population go at once? Do they travel in family groups? How do you learn the routes? It’s a complicated business, and each bird species has its own fascinating story of how they get it done.
Weather conditions permitting, we will spend a few hours in the morning on Saturday and Sunday doing some migration bird banding at Sugarloaf Cove and Wolf Ridge to see first hand what bird species are moving through at that point in the fall migration- where are they coming from and where are they headed?! Fall migration is one long parade of bird species moving through. We will explore to see where we are in the parade and learn about the order of the movement. Can you identify confusing fall plumage warblers? Join us to find out and learn the basics of fall bird in the hand identification.
We’ll get an update on the fall migration from the counts at Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory, explore the processes and risks involved, and learn the migration stories of some familiar, and not so familiar Minnesota birds both in the hand and in the bush. We will observe raptor migration along the north shore, and learn the basics of identifying birds in flight, as well as explore the area at Wolf Ridge, and other locations within short driving distances from the Wolf Ridge campus to see who’s moving through the area. Is there a difference in movement between along the shore of Lake Superior and even a little bit inland? Let’s find out!
Instructor: Margie Menzies
Margie is a lifelong naturalist, educator and lover of rocks and all things of the natural world. She spent years in the formal classroom as a science teacher, but has abandoned the indoors for the great outdoor classroom. Margie is the naturalist at Sugarloaf Cove Nature Center on the North Shore in Schroeder, she is the Hawk Ridge Program Director, at Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory in Duluth, and sometimes finds time to supervise student teachers or teach a course as adjunct faculty for the UMD Education Department. She teaches Master Naturalist Courses for Minnesota Extension at Sugarloaf and North House Folk School, in Grand Marais. Margie has been an active bird bander and instructor for the past 30 years. She loves learning and sharing the natural world with people of all ages.
Note: In the case of rain alternative programming will be offered.
Weekend Workshop Schedule
Friday, Sep 26, 2025
- 3:00 – 4:45 pm — Registration and check-in at the Wolf Ridge office
- 4:00 – 4:45 pm — Tour of the Margaret A. Cargill (MAC) Lodge
- 5:15 pm — Dinner
- 6:00 – 6:30 pm — Orientation in MAC Lodge Weesner Commons
- 7:00 – 9:00 pm — 1st learning session
- 10 pm — Quiet time
Saturday, Sep 27, 2025
- 7:30 am — Breakfast
- 8:30-10:00 am — Continental breakfast for Owl Workshop
- 8:30-11:30 am — 2nd learning session
- 12:15 pm — Lunch and bag lunch
- 1:00 -2:00 pm – Naturalist program
- 1:30 – 4:30 pm — 3rd learning session
- 5:15 pm — Dinner
- 6:30 – 7:15 pm — Evening presentation
- 7:30 – 9:30 pm — Social hour & campfire
- 10:00 pm — Quiet time
Sunday, Sep 28, 2025
- 7:30 am — Breakfast
- 8:30-10:00 am — Continental breakfast for Owl workshop
- *check out of rooms by 10:00 am
- 8:30-11:30 am —4th learning session
- 12:15 pm — Lunch & check-out
- 12:30 – Owl workshop ends
- 12:30-1:30 pm — Optional: Use of designed rooms to shower before leaving
- 1:00-2:00 pm – Naturalist program
On Friday afternoon before registration or on Sunday afternoon you’re welcome to hike our trails and enjoy the fall colors.
Packing List
You should plan to venture out in rain or shine and the instructors may follow up with more information on specific details about your workshop if applicable. You can expect nighttime temperatures to range from 25°F to 50°F and daytime temperatures up to 65°F. Please be prepared so you can feel comfortable if it is cool or rainy. Most of the walking you will do is on nice graveled trails, but some trails are rugged. Photography will be a common thread throughout the weekend so we encourage you to bring a camera. If you do not own a digital camera, we can loan you one for the weekend.
- Rain suit with pants and hood
- Walking or hiking shoes
- Warm jacket
- Sweater or fleece
- Warm hat
- Light shirts
- Light pants
- Wool Socks (recommended for hiking)
- Soap, shampoo, other toiletries
- Personal water bottle
- Sunscreen, sun hat
Optional Items:
- Knee-high rubber boots
- Non-aerosol insect repellent
- Camera
- Sunglasses
- Alarm clock
- Small backpack for day use
- Snacks (space available in group refrigerator)
Wolf Ridge will provide linens, blankets, towels, and a pillow.
