An entire week of calm southeast winds and sunshine has passed. Although the waterbird count grinded to a halt, passerine activity was still productive.

Waterbird Station at sunrise. Photo by Oliver Kew

Sadly, no Black-backed Woodpeckers were recorded this week. The Red Crossbill invasion has also been subdued. It is now replaced by waves of Pine Siskin. Jack McDonough recorded over 1,000 during his stationary 8-hour waterbird count on both 9/26 and 9/27. This could be the beginning of a much larger movement. Purple Finches have been surprisingly scarce. Peak migration generally takes place in mid October. Hopefully this fall continues to produce good numbers of winter finches, including Redpolls.

Pine Siskin. Photo by Oliver Kew

The woods have been abundant with woodpeckers. Northern Flickers are the most common. These highly migratory woodpeckers are quite social. Small groups roam the point together, often ending up on our “merlin poles”.

Northern Flickers. Photo by Oliver Kew

Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers also showed in strong numbers. This species is more solitary. Check for migrants in small clumps of deciduous trees, including birch of maple.

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. Photo by Oliver Kew

Conditions have been favorable for thrush migration. Apart from American Robins, thrushes are largely nocturnal migrants. Clear, calm nights are best for activity. During the early morning hours, distinctive call notes are easily heard overhead from the main parking lot. Swainson’s and Gray-Cheeked Thrush are currently the primary migrants at roughly a 4:1 ratio. Hermit Thrushes have been present from August as local breeders.

Hermit Thrush. Photo by Oliver Kew

The first of season flock of Sandhill Cranes was spotted this week! A group of 40 flew over in over the Raptor Deck on 9/22. We expect more in the upcoming week. Late September/early October is the primary window. Compared to spring counts, fall migrants at Whitefish Point are scarce, perhaps reluctant to cross the big lake.

Sandhill Cranes. Photo by Oliver Kew

Herps have been active on warm, sunny afternoons. A Smooth Greensnake was observed near the parking area on 9/20. A few Painted turtles have been spotted in small ponds among the bogs.

Eastern Garter Snake. Photo by Oliver Kew

Oliver Kew, Fall Field Ornithologist

Featured Photo: Northern Flicker by O. Kew

Track the morning flight counts on Trektellen.

Keep up with the 2026 Fall Field Ornithologist’s weekly blog posts and follow WPBO’s social media (Facebook, Instagram, and X).

Join Oliver for one of his WPBO Migratory Bird Walks offered every weekend through November 15. Learn more: wpbo.org/wpbobirdwalks/ 

Oliver Kew: 2026 Fall Field Ornithologist

Oliver is a passionate naturalist from Petoskey, Michigan. He worked for Mackinac Straits Raptor Watch as a waterbird counter for seven seasons. Oliver graduated from Michigan State University in 2017 with a B.S. in Zoo & Aquarium Science. His previous roles include working as an Animal Husbandry Technician and Zookeeper Aide, where he helped maintain large collections of exotic birds and reptiles. Originally from Coventry, England, Oliver developed an immense appreciation for the natural world through his family of foresters. He loves exploring the shorelines of northern Michigan in pursuit of exciting and unexpected birding experiences and is honored to help convey the importance of Whitefish Point as a migration pathway. When he is not birdwatching, Oliver enjoys playing disc golf, looking for insects and plants, and spending time with his two cats.