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!

Sunny Mornings at Last

This week has been full of changes. Perhaps most notably, it seems that Cedar Waxwings have all but replaced the Blue Jays as my noisy and bold companions here at Whitefish Point. While I miss my blue-feathered co-workers, I can't help but appreciate my new comrades' unique look and high-pitched calls. While they aren't [...]

2021-06-18T09:51:40-04:00June 18th, 2021|Field Notes|Comments Off on Sunny Mornings at Last
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Fantastic Birds and Butterflies

This week Whitefish Point was speckled with flecks of orange. Migrating monarch butterflies have made their way north and found refuge on Lake Superior's tranquil shores. Their fluttering orange wings have been a welcome addition to my many walks around the Point. Just as it has with these migrating butterflies, the last week has [...]

2021-06-10T16:04:27-04:00June 11th, 2021|Field Notes|Comments Off on Fantastic Birds and Butterflies
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Michigan Audubon Photography Awards Adds WPBO Category

Accepting submissions through June 25, 2021. Each year, Michigan Audubon looks forward to the amazing photography submitted to this contest featuring the birds we all love! Not only can your photographs share the beauty of the avian world, they can also help raise awareness about birds and the habitats they depend on in the [...]

2021-06-11T12:43:38-04:00June 8th, 2021|Field Notes|Comments Off on Michigan Audubon Photography Awards Adds WPBO Category
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An Enjoyably Loud Welcome to Whitefish Point

On my way through the winding, forest-flanked roads of Michigan's Upper Peninsula, I was unsure what to expect when I finally arrived at my destination for the summer, Whitefish Point Bird Observatory. After all, my journey from the West Coast to the Great Lakes had been far from uneventful. After an unexpected blizzard, burdensome [...]

2021-06-04T11:11:43-04:00June 4th, 2021|Field Notes|Comments Off on An Enjoyably Loud Welcome to Whitefish Point
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Celebrating Spring Migration at Whitefish Point — A Webinar Series

Many of you already know and respect just how crucial avian research is, but do you know what makes Whitefish Point Bird Observatory such an excellent place for these research efforts to take place? Tune in with us each Thursday in May to learn about topics inspired by our research at WPBO in a free [...]

2021-05-04T16:29:10-04:00May 4th, 2021|Field Notes|Comments Off on Celebrating Spring Migration at Whitefish Point — A Webinar Series
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WPBO late summer update

Seasons take on their own forms at Whitefish Point, but in the current progression of summer and advance of fall, the wild blueberries are coming on amidst the jack pines, mushrooms are beginning to push up from the lichens, and warblers, subdued in song and plumage, mill around the point while the new wave of [...]

2020-08-11T11:54:11-04:00August 11th, 2020|Field Notes|Comments Off on WPBO late summer update
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Fledge Day; Grebe Day!

Here are three bits of exciting news from WPBO this past week: 1. We received three juvenile Piping Plovers from the Great Lakes Piping Plover captive rearing program! Since 1992, eggs from nests compromised by storm surge, parent plover mortality, or “side chick” situations (yes, that’s exactly what you think it is!) have been salvaged, [...]

2020-07-28T14:05:15-04:00July 28th, 2020|Field Notes|Comments Off on Fledge Day; Grebe Day!
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Zombie Chick is Zombie Dad!

...and, he has been since July 3. Hannah (who you’ll recognize as WPBO's summer assistant bander) and I were enjoying one of those rare times of the day that we’re both awake with an afternoon beach walk. We paused at the nest exclosure; when I’d been out earlier that day, the adult plovers were still [...]

2020-07-21T17:13:37-04:00July 21st, 2020|Field Notes|Comments Off on Zombie Chick is Zombie Dad!
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Early Migrations

The ephemerality of the shoreline at Whitefish Point is subtle, except to those who spend significant time there. Every windy day takes away some beach in exchange for new driftwood deposits--but if you did not walk here regularly, this would be difficult to discern. The passage of shorebirds contributes a further element to the changeability [...]

2020-07-16T14:02:57-04:00July 13th, 2020|Field Notes|Comments Off on Early Migrations
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The Hatch

There are certain subjects that dominate conversation around WPBO. Weather, migrations, and our latest spoils from out-of-town grocery hauls are trusty standbys. I’ve noticed, though, that we’ve added some summer specials to the mix, like the tenuous relationship between black bears and bird feeders, and the mosquito hatch.  This is, actually, my first full summer [...]

2020-07-07T15:07:46-04:00July 6th, 2020|Field Notes|Comments Off on The Hatch
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