In November 2024, at HMA’s 50th Anniversary Conference in Duluth, Minnesota, we wanted to mark this incredible milestone by honoring many individuals whose extraordinary contributions have shaped our organization along with raptor research, conservation, and education. Nominations for these awards were accepted from the HMA board and wider hawkwatching community to recognize a diverse array of people who have contributed far and wide to raptors. The awards ceremony was a heartfelt celebration of the passion, dedication, and community that has defined HMA and hawkwatching over the past five decades.
HMA Appreciation Awards award individuals who have made substantial contributions of time or energy to HMA, keeping the organization productive. All recipients received a Hawk Watch International enamel mug and bird friendly coffee.
We honored Amy Wright, who has worked meticulously as HMA’s treasurer for 6 years. During that time, her stewardship of HMA’s finances ensured smooth operations for the organization, and she excelled at keeping our finances in good order.
Vicky Burke (Kohler) was honored for her inspiring education and outreach at Mt. Pisgah Hawk Watch in North Carolina. Her enthusiasm and love for birds are ever-present and contagious. Vicky is a tremendous asset to HMA and the birding community.
Jim Keighton, a devoted hawk watcher for over 20 years, Jim’s counting and educational efforts at Mahogany Rock Hawk Watch left a lasting legacy. As a former middle school science teacher, Jim was known for his hands-on approach at the hawkwatch, with interpretive displays and his ability to simultaneously count hawks and educate countless visitors about hawk migration. We honor Jim posthumously for his incredible commitment to the hawkwatching community.
Gail Marsman was celebrated as a local Duluth hero for her 50 years of volunteering at Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory. Since 1972, she has been a beacon of warmth and knowledge for visitors and staff alike. Her bright smile is a staple on the ridge as she greets staff and visitors throughout the fall.
Michael Harwood Memorial Awards honor those who pioneered new hawkwatches in new sites or regions. This year, we celebrate two worthy recipients. All recipients received a Hawk Watch International enamel mug and bird friendly coffee.
Jerry McWilliams was recognized for his accomplishments in founding and maintaining the Presque Isle Hawkwatch in Pennsylvania since 2009. Jerry has diligently monitored hawk migration from this site every year since, sharing his extensive knowledge of hawks with participants and visitors.
Esther Vallejo was honored for pioneering raptor migration count sites in Colombia and advancing research and conservation in the Andes. Esther is the founder and executive director of NGO TROPICOS Colombia, which manages two count sites collecting significant data on raptor migration along the Andes. Her work also involves educating local adults and children about hawk conservation. She also serves on the board of HMA and has developed Spanish-language raptor identification charts.
The Maurice Broun Award honors individuals who have made outstanding, long-term, or significant contributions of time and effort to HMA or its goals: hawk migration study and raptor conservation.
Dr. Jerry Niemi was celebrated for his significant contributions to bird migration conservation and banding research at Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory and throughout Minnesota and beyond. As an ornithology professor at the University of Minnesota, he helped countless graduate students with their research interests and published over a hundred papers in peer-reviewed journals, contributing to research topics from avian community ecology to predictive toxicology. He has served on the Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory’s Board, where he was instrumental in bringing Hawk Ridge into its own as an education and outreach center and as a center for high-quality research on birds and bird migration. We honor his invaluable service to Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory and HMA. Dr. Niemi received a canvas photograph of an American Goshawk taken by HMA Board Member Vic Berardi.
Josh Haas was honored for his invaluable contributions to HMA. Josh joined the HMA Board of Directors in 2018, serving six impactful years as Vice-Chair during a critical organizational transition. His contributions to the organization include leading the Marketing Committee, revamping the HMA website, establishing the successful Lunch and Learn programs, and managing audiovisual efforts for multiple conferences. Josh also coordinates the Michigan Raptor Migration Teaching Network, enriching public understanding of raptors. HMA deeply appreciates Josh’s invaluable work, both visible and behind the scenes, which has significantly enhanced accessibility to Raptor education and resources. Josh received a copy of “The Stokes Guide to Finches” by HMA Board Member Lillian Stokes and Matthew A. Young, and a HMA hooded sweatshirt.
Rich Conroy was celebrated for his dedicated service to HMA and hawkwatching. Rich has coordinated the Militia Hill Hawkwatch for more than two decades. His fundraising efforts for our annual Raptorthon have brought in more dollars for raptor conservation than any other team for the last 12 years. Rich has served on HMA’s Board and as Board Chair, where he led with positive guidance and good humor. Rich will rejoin the board in 2025, and we welcome his involvement and expertise. Rich received a canvas photograph of a pair of American Kestrels taken by Josh Haas.
Dr. Ernesto Ruelas Inzunza’s work over his career has significantly expanded our knowledge and understanding of raptor migration. Ernesto founded the Veracruz River of Raptors Project to monitor migrating raptors and implement education programs throughout the flyway. His work has meant hundreds of people have been trained in hawk counting at the site, and 4-6 million migrating raptors are counted each fall. He also served as HMA’s Raptor Population Index Project Manager. He helped write and edit the State of North America’s Birds of Prey, the first major publication focused on using raptor migration data to determine trends and status of birds of prey. We honored Ernesto for almost four decades of commitment to raptor research and conservation. Ernesto received a canvas photograph of a Broad-winged Hawk taken by Josh Haas.
The Joseph Taylor Award honors heroic contributions to HMA above and beyond the call of duty.
Gil Randell has made extraordinary contributions to HMA. Known as the voice of all things hawk-related, Gil has been a go-to advisor for fostering partnerships to monitor and protect raptors. As a past chair of the Conservation Committee, he was instrumental in addressing the impacts of industrial wind development on raptors. During his tenure as HMA Board Chair, Gil advocated for developing the Raptor Population Index and contributed significantly to our Hawk Migration Studies Journal. Gil personifies the dedicated environmentalist, and we are honored to recognize his tremendous leadership and unwavering commitment to raptor conservation. Gil received a canvas photograph of a Peregrine Falcon taken by Josh Haas.
The Jerry Liguori Conservation and Education Award celebrates an individual who has greatly influenced raptor conservation and education.
Another beloved local hero, Frank Nicoletti, has contributed 40 years of counting and public outreach. Frank has been hawkwatching since he was 11, and his passion for hawks has taken him to various hawkwatches worldwide. He has resided in Duluth since 1991, working tirelessly as a researcher and bander. He initiated Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory’s traineeship program and has helped countless students and apprentices develop raptor counting skills and banding techniques. Frank has been an invaluable asset to Hawk Ridge and the wider Raptor research community. Frank received a canvas photograph of an American Goshawk taken by HMA Board Member Vic Berardi.
The ceremony was long for a reason, as these awards underscored the profound impact of so many individuals on raptor conservation and the hawkwatching community. This tribute enabled us to reflect on the incredible work, collaboration, and commitment that has carried HMA through its first 50 years and the pivotal role that our board and members have had in raptor conservation. This work will continue to inspire us into the future. Congratulations to all the awardees, and thank you for your invaluable contributions to the world of raptors!
