An Enjoyably Loud Welcome to Whitefish Point

On my way through the winding, forest-flanked roads of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, I was unsure what to expect when I finally arrived at my destination for the summer, Whitefish Point Bird Observatory. After all, my journey from the West Coast to the Great Lakes had been far from uneventful. After an unexpected blizzard, burdensome car troubles, and nearly 3,000 miles on the road, perhaps I was expecting the Point’s remote location to yield a quiet first day on the job.

However, as soon as I stepped out of my car, I realized that Whitefish Point was not a quiet place at all. Whipping through the biting wind, a flock of hundreds of Blue Jays erupted from the treetops, welcoming me with a chorus of squawks and screeches. They were playful, friendly, and bold. Being from the West Coast, this was a welcome encounter — while Blue Jays may be one of the most common species here at Whitefish Point, I had never seen one before. My experience at the hawk deck was no less exciting. Within seconds of walking up the weathered wooden steps to the platform, I had my eyes on eagles, Peregrine Falcons, and Sharp-Shinned Hawks. The rest of my first day was spent exploring the Point’s lush wooded areas and rugged pebbled beaches.

Dunlin on the shore of Lake Superior at Whitefish Point. Photo by Blake Carlile

Just from my first stroll around Whitefish Point, it became apparent that there was almost as much for me to learn as there was to admire. Shortly after arriving, I was able to take part in the annual Birdathon event, which opened my eyes to the scale of avian diversity on display in this remote corner of northern Michigan. Tagging along with the experienced birders here allowed me to understand better what the local species are while highlighting the many areas in which I need improvement. It was fantastic to see their dedication and hard work alongside our volunteers.

Since coming here, I’ve already begun to fall in love with the Point’s windswept dunes, dense forests, and calm beaches, which the birds call home. My hope this summer is to find new and creative ways of showing the world what this amazing place has to offer. I am thrilled to be spending the summer at Whitefish Point Bird Observatory as the outreach intern for 2021.

Here’s to the future,

Blake Carlile
2021 Summer Outreach Intern

Feature photo: A Blue Jay at WPBO. Photo by Blake Carlile