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!

Piping Plover Updates Week 4

Week 4, June 4-10, at Whitefish Point was relatively quite for our resident Piping Plovers, but that doesn't mean there wasn't plenty to see. G and V have continued their incubation process, and hatch day is approaching in just over two weeks. V Against the Waves. Photo by Morgan Ness The pair [...]

2026-06-11T08:46:33-04:00June 11th, 2026|Field Notes, Piping Plover|Comments Off on Piping Plover Updates Week 4

Piping Plover Updates Week 3

Last week, our pair finally established an official nest, with 2 eggs. This week, May 28 - June 3, two more eggs were laid, for a full clutch of four eggs. With incubation now underway, we are one step closer to welcoming Whitefish Point's first chicks of the season. If all goes according to [...]

2026-06-04T09:18:35-04:00June 4th, 2026|Field Notes, Piping Plover|Comments Off on Piping Plover Updates Week 3

Piping Plover Updates Week 2

Week 2, May 21-27th, at Whitefish Point Bird Observatory brought excitement, territorial drama, strong lake winds, and the discovery of the season's first eggs! Throughout the week, G and V continued to strengthen their bond while defending their territory from visiting Piping Plovers. Piping Plover "G". Photo by Morgan Ness Thursday began [...]

2026-06-04T09:02:47-04:00May 28th, 2026|Field Notes, Piping Plover|Comments Off on Piping Plover Updates Week 2

Piping Plover Updates Week 1

Over the last few weeks, the Piping Plovers have officially returned to Whitefish Point! We are excited to welcome back two familiar birds who have officially paired up for the season. We have X,V:Of,YY ("V" or "Violet"), who has previously nested at the Point, and her partner X,-:O[Y]Gdot ("G"), who has been returning here [...]

2026-05-21T09:15:08-04:00May 21st, 2026|Field Notes, Piping Plover|Comments Off on Piping Plover Updates Week 1

Fall Field Ornithologist Update: Week 14 (Nov 11th – Nov 15th)

The final stretch of the fall counting season brought a mix of November weather to Whitefish Point. Temperatures ranged from the mid-to-upper 20s on the 11th before slowly warming into the upper 30s and low 40s for the remainder of the week. Wind conditions over the last few days alternated between light breezes and [...]

2026-03-04T09:29:22-05:00November 21st, 2025|Field Notes, Field Ornithologist|Comments Off on Fall Field Ornithologist Update: Week 14 (Nov 11th – Nov 15th)

Fall Field Ornithologist Update: Week 13 (Nov 5th – Nov 10th)

This past week brought a distinctly wintery feel to Whitefish Point. From November 5th-7th, temperatures lingered in the mid-30s to low-40s with light to moderate west winds, offering chilly but manageable conditions. Things shifted starting on the morning of the 8th as temperatures fell into the upper-20s and low-30s and north winds took hold [...]

2025-11-12T14:12:08-05:00November 11th, 2025|Field Notes, Field Ornithologist|Comments Off on Fall Field Ornithologist Update: Week 13 (Nov 5th – Nov 10th)

Fall Field Ornithologist Update: Week 12 (Oct 28th – Nov 4th)

This past week brought unmistakable signs that November has arrived at Whitefish Point. Morning temperatures now regularly begin in the 30s, and several days with overcast skies have kept the afternoons feeling brisk. Since the last blog, we experienced some south and east winds midweek before shifting to the north over the weekend, then [...]

2025-11-05T09:45:29-05:00November 5th, 2025|Field Notes, Field Ornithologist|Comments Off on Fall Field Ornithologist Update: Week 12 (Oct 28th – Nov 4th)

Fall Field Ornithologist Update: Week 11 (Oct 21st – Oct 27th)

This past week brought another stretch of turbulent fall weather to Whitefish Point. Tuesday the 21st opened with heavy rain and strong south winds that made birding a challenge, but conditions changed dramatically as a cold front swept through midweek. From Wednesday through Friday, temperatures hovered in the low-mid 40s, though the wind chill [...]

2025-10-28T14:30:42-04:00October 28th, 2025|Field Notes, Field Ornithologist|Comments Off on Fall Field Ornithologist Update: Week 11 (Oct 21st – Oct 27th)

Fall Field Ornithologist Update: Week 10 (Oct 14th – Oct 20th)

This past week brought a stretch of unsettled and often windy conditions to Whitefish Point. Wind direction seemed to come from every corner of the compass, with sustained winds over 20 mph from both the northwest and southeast on multiple days and lighter westerly and southwesterly winds in between. There was even a gale [...]

2025-10-28T14:32:54-04:00October 21st, 2025|Field Notes, Field Ornithologist|Comments Off on Fall Field Ornithologist Update: Week 10 (Oct 14th – Oct 20th)

Fall Field Ornithologist Update: Week 9 (Oct 7th – Oct 13th)

This past week brought a true mix of fall weather to Whitefish Point. Temperatures hovered mostly in the mid-40’s to mid-50’s, though Wednesday morning (Oct. 8th) dipped into the 30’s. Strong southeast winds dominated much of the week, but shifted to the north for a day beginning Thursday night (Oct 9th) before swinging back [...]

2025-10-17T12:48:39-04:00October 14th, 2025|Field Notes, Field Ornithologist|Comments Off on Fall Field Ornithologist Update: Week 9 (Oct 7th – Oct 13th)
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