Michigan Audubon Office: (517) 580-7364|birds@michiganaudubon.org

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 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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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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Piping Plover Update Week 9

Whitefish Point Vie and her three chicks faced the challenges of last week with resilience. Though I surveyed the entire beach many times, I have been unable to find any sign of Little Bill Bob. With the loss of her mate, Vie has had to shoulder the sole responsibility of looking over her chicks. [...]

2025-07-14T14:41:16-04:00July 10th, 2025|Field Notes, Piping Plover|Comments Off on Piping Plover Update Week 9
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Piping Plover Update Week 8

Whitefish Point Vie and Little Bill Bob’s life had been going swell for six days, making their way to and from across the shore with four healthy chicks. Until June 28, when Bob went missing. And on Monday the 30th, the chick count decreased to three. The remaining family has held strong and Vie [...]

2025-07-03T14:47:25-04:00July 3rd, 2025|Field Notes, Piping Plover|Comments Off on Piping Plover Update Week 8
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Piping Plover Update Week 7

Whitefish Point One-two-three-four little plover chicks walking across the shore! Little Bill Bob and Vie’s nest hatched Saturday June 21 with four healthy chicks. I spent that morning sitting in the rain with Rusty and Gladys at Vermilion. When I arrived at the Point to see Bob hovering over the nest with feathers ruffled, [...]

2025-06-27T10:01:51-04:00June 26th, 2025|Field Notes, Piping Plover|Comments Off on Piping Plover Update Week 7
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Piping Plover Update Week 6

Whitefish Point In a few short days tiny Piping Plover chicks will be emerging from their protective shells to venture the shore of Whitefish Point. Vie and Little Bill Bob have kept true to their duty, making my job easy as I watch them peacefully incubate. The chicks are due to hatch June 22. [...]

2025-06-20T09:13:56-04:00June 19th, 2025|Field Notes, Piping Plover|Comments Off on Piping Plover Update Week 6
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