Brockway Mountain Hawk Watch

The peak of Brockway Mountain is home to the Brockway Mountain Hawk Watch. Overlooking Copper Harbor, it is an exceptional location to view and survey the spring migration of birds of prey aka: raptors, as it provides a fantastic, 360 degree view above Lake Superior and sits along the Central Migration Flyway.

It is an important Midwest site which provides data contributing to the knowledge of raptor migration in the Lake Superior region, including the effects of climate change and lake-influenced weather patterns on birds of prey. The count is conducted using scientific protocol, outlined by Hawk Migration Association of North America (HMANA) to which all data is submitted.

Monitoring the changes to raptor populations is not only important to the health of the birds, but to the environment as well. Hawks, eagles, falcons, accipiters and other birds of prey are at the top of the food chain. They are sensitive indicators, able to reveal changes in the health of the environment. Fluctuations in populations can indicate changes to the health of our environment and ecosystem. Keeping tabs on trends can tell us much about possible detriments to our environment such as pollutants, habitat loss, prey animal populations and climate change. It was because of raptor surveys that the dangers of DDT were discovered and positive changes were made; for the birds and the ecosystem.

We need the Brockway Mountain Hawk Watch! Please help support the continuation of this valuable research!