Fall passerine surveys at WPBO are underway! Join me Saturday-Wednesday at sunrise on the hawkwatch platform to observe migratory songbirds in morning flight. This is the second inaugural count season, focused on studying the movements of active migrating passerines. You can follow this count live at the WPBO – Morning Flight page on Trektellen.

Raptor Deck. Photo by Oliver Kew

All signs point to a Red Crossbill invasion! Flocks have been omnipresent this week. Count totals reached triple digits for the past two consecutive days. Purple Finches are moving in sizable numbers. Small groups of other winter finches, such as Pine Siskin and Evening Grosbeak, were also recorded.

Flocks of fall warblers are already filling the woods. Groups move at a rapid pace throughout the Jack pines. Detection is made easier by a serenade of species-specific chip notes. Counts have been primarily Nashville, Cape May, and Yellow-rumped Warblers. Peak movements are expected in the next few weeks. We have recorded 17 species of warblers at the point in the first few days! A video taken from the hawkdeck captures an impressive density of birds in a single pine cluster.

Mixed passerine flock. Video by Oliver Kew

Early fall offers a diverse array of songbird migrants. Cedar Waxwings and Red-breasted Nuthatches have been notably abundant. A pair of Olive-sided Flycatchers hunted from snags close to the hawkdeck on 04/18. A skulky Black-billed Cuckoo has been observed daily near the lighthouse.

Olive-sided Flycatcher. Oliver Kew

Black-billed Cuckoo. Photo by Oliver Kew

The feeders have been quiet. Birds are taking full advantage of plentiful bugs and berries. On warm afternoons, a variety of songbirds have been spotted enjoying the birdbaths at our feeder station!

White-crowned Sparrow and Indigo Bunting enjoying the bird bath at the feeder station. Photo by Oliver Kew

Notable passerine sightings from this week include a Eurasian Tree Sparrow, observed in flight by Jack McDonough at the waterbird count on 08/15. A Carolina Wren was found along walking trails by a visiting birder, Talus Rutgers, on 08/17.

Free weekend bird walks are available on Saturdays and Sundays at 9 and 11:30am. Please make sure to bring bug spray. We look forward to the first fall frost to help quell the hordes of mosquitos.

Cape May Warbler. Photo by Oliver Kew

Oliver Kew, 2026 Fall Field Ornithologist

Featured Photo: Bay-breasted Warbler 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 at https://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.