Whitefish Point provides a phenomenal concentration spot for migrant birds. Here, land and water features create a natural migration corridor. Tens of thousands of birds are funneled to the Point every Spring and Fall while migrating through the Great Lakes region. For over 30 years, Whitefish Point Bird Observatory has been monitoring and documenting these annual migrations. Our mission is to document the distribution and abundance of birds in the Great Lakes Region, with special emphasis on migration.
Bird-a-thon 2012
Once again, Whitefish Point Bird Observatory will be holding its annual Bird-a-thon. At the end of May, WPBO Staff will record the total number of bird species seen in the Whitefish Point Area during a 24 hr. period.
Please show your support of WPBO by making a donation pledge to the WPBO Bird-a-thon. You have two options in donating. Either pledge an amount per species ($1.00 pledge x 100 species = $100) or make a fixed amount donation.
WPBO Trip Report: Birding in Paradise
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Twenty-six birders converged upon Paradise the morning of April 27th for the Pre-Spring Fling Trip, Birding in Paradise. This flock was divided into two groups, led by Leonard Graf and Bill Scharf. After a quick orientation and introductions at 6:30 am, both groups proceeded to Whitefish Point. The morning was spent with very high winds alternating between the Waterbird Shack, the Hawk Platform, the surrounding woods and the feeders behind the Owl’s Roost Gift Shop. Of particular interest to the group was the work of a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker female that seemed to be systematically stripping the bark from a pine tree.
WPBO Trip Report: Searching for Spruce Grouse
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On the morning of April 29th, twelve birders car-pooled with leader Bill Scharf for the Searching for Spruce Grouse Trip after meeting at the Paradise Inn for an 8:00 am start. Bill gave a short description of the mating behaviors of the grouse species found in Michigan, including the Michigan-extirpated Prairie Chicken. He also reported some of the conclusions about the status of the Spruce Grouse species from Dr. Bill Robinson’s book Fool Hen. This was in preparation for our encounter with a male Spruce Grouse.
Northern Gannet returns to Whitefish Point
He’s back! On April 24th, at 12:38pm, Waterbird Counter Karl Bardon identified an adult Northern Gannet flying by the Point. The gannet was heading north from Whitefish Bay passed the point out into the main part of Lake Superior. His flight was almost effortless as he floated by, heading into the stiff wind, and he was close enough both to identify easily with just binoculars, and even get some identifiable photos.
2012 Quilt Raffle Begins
The 29th Annual WPBO Fund Raising Raffle is now underway.
First Prize: A beautiful owl embroidered queen-size quilt, crafted by Nancy Skelly, owner of Banjoh's Threads (www.banjohs.com). Second Prize: A pair of Eagle 8x42 binoculars. Third Prize: A new critically acclaimed bird guide, The Crossley ID Guide to Birds. The author, Richard Crossley is this years featured speaker at the annual WPBO Spring Fling banquet on April 28th.