Field Notes

This blog is your go-to for recent sightings at the Point, including both the usual suspects and the rare species that have been spotted, more in-depth looks at the habitats found here, educational programming being offered, and more. The unique juxtaposition of land and water at the Point funnels many birds through WPBO and over 340 species have been identified at the Point. Be sure to check this blog for regular updates!

Fall 2025 Field Ornithologist Update: Week 5 (Sept. 9th – Sept. 15th)

Since the last blog post, we’ve had quite the assortment of unusual birds show up at the Point, so there’s plenty to talk about! Last week’s blog wrapped up by covering the fabulous songbird influx we had on September 8, and I was hopeful that some of those birds might stick around. Fortunately, that [...]

2025-09-16T11:54:35-04:00September 16th, 2025|Field Notes, Field Ornithologist|Comments Off on Fall 2025 Field Ornithologist Update: Week 5 (Sept. 9th – Sept. 15th)

Fall 2025 Field Ornithologist Update: Week 4

Since the last post, we’ve been experiencing some tumultuous weather here at the Point, at least for early September. There’s been a lot of cold and strong winds out of the north, with the Saturday (Sept. 6th) winds gusting up to 35+ miles per hour. Scattered storms have also coincided with much of the [...]

2025-09-10T10:04:00-04:00September 9th, 2025|Field Notes, Field Ornithologist|Comments Off on Fall 2025 Field Ornithologist Update: Week 4

Fall 2025 Field Ornithologist Update: Week 3

Another week has passed here at Whitefish Point and migration has been picking up across the board, with abundant waterbirds, songbirds, and raptors throughout the week. While we haven’t had the numbers to rival last week’s Red-necked Grebe count, we’ve had plenty of new arrivals at the Point, several species moving through in high [...]

2025-09-02T14:37:23-04:00September 2nd, 2025|Field Notes, Field Ornithologist|Comments Off on Fall 2025 Field Ornithologist Update: Week 3

Fall 2025 Field Ornithologist Update: Week 2

It’s only been a couple days, but it’s already time for another field ornithologist blog update! Fortunately, there’s plenty to talk about after the weekend weather provided us with abundant birding thrills here at the Point. Frank will cover several of the highlights with more detail in his next waterbird blog, but over the [...]

2025-09-02T14:37:54-04:00August 26th, 2025|Field Notes, Field Ornithologist|Comments Off on Fall 2025 Field Ornithologist Update: Week 2

Fall 2025 Field Ornithologist Update: Week 1

Frank (the waterbird counter) and I have been up at Whitefish Point for a little over a week now, kicking off the WPBO fall 2025 count season with some exciting changes and fun birding highlights. Among these changes is a new fall count; a morning flight survey up on the raptor deck focused on [...]

2025-09-02T14:38:23-04:00August 22nd, 2025|Field Notes, Field Ornithologist|Comments Off on Fall 2025 Field Ornithologist Update: Week 1

Piping Plover Update Week 13

Whitefish Point It’s safe to say that the 2025 Piping Plover nesting season has come to a close for Whitefish Point, as it has for many other sites in the Great Lakes. Remaining fledglings near their departure for wintering grounds, and only a few late nesters will stay until the end of August. The [...]

2025-08-08T12:36:14-04:00August 8th, 2025|Field Notes, Piping Plover|Comments Off on Piping Plover Update Week 13

Piping Plover Update Week 12

Whitefish Point The 2025 Piping Plover breeding season is coming to a close, and we are on the last few pages of the book. Our three wild chicks have been flying for around for two weeks now. They appear novice as you watch them performing short clumsy flight bursts, but they’ve been traversing around [...]

2025-08-01T16:43:53-04:00August 1st, 2025|Field Notes, Piping Plover|Comments Off on Piping Plover Update Week 12

Banding Blue Jays at WPBO

Hi, my name is Dustin Brewer. I’m an Assistant Professor of Wildlife Management at Lake Superior State University. Among other things related to wildlife ecology and conservation, I study Blue Jays. When I mention to folks that I study Blue Jays, usually they tell me how bossy individuals of this species tend to be at [...]

2025-08-01T11:14:26-04:00July 30th, 2025|Field Notes|Comments Off on Banding Blue Jays at WPBO

Piping Plover Update Week 11

Whitefish Point Vie’s three chicks, once vulnerable tufts of fuzz atop two toothpicks, have developed into plump fledglings with defined feathers – of which they now use to take flight. Over time their jump tests increased in height and skill, indicating the chicks were progressing right on track. The chicks' fledging has made life [...]

2025-07-24T15:25:39-04:00July 24th, 2025|Field Notes, Piping Plover|Comments Off on Piping Plover Update Week 11

Piping Plover Update Week 10

Whitefish Point Vie and her three chicks remain strong. While their official fledge date has come and gone, they aren’t flying just yet, but are so close. Each day, their feathers grow and become more distinct, making their little jump flights increase in air time. PIPL Chick Yellow Dot sits in the sand. [...]

2025-07-17T15:01:56-04:00July 17th, 2025|Field Notes, Piping Plover|Comments Off on Piping Plover Update Week 10
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