Whitefish Point Bird Observatory

Bruce's Whitefish Point Page

Whitefish Point, "being the northeastern tip of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. . . is a phenomenal concentration spot for migrating raptors, water birds, and song birds," explains the web site of the nonprofit, year-round WPBO research facility here, http://wpbo.org.

Birds fly along the shore and use the point extending out into Lake Superior to minimize flying over open water. "Thousands of birds [are funneled] directly to the Point each spring and fall as they travel through the Great Lakes region. This makes for spectacular bird-watching and provides tremendous opportunities to study and monitor bird populations. . . . [The Point] is the most important spot for documenting and monitoring water bird movements [and thus changes in populations of ducks, geese, and other water birds] in the Upper Great Lakes."

Whitefish Point and the bird observatory have become significant visitor destinations during spring and fall migrations. Low, windswept dunes, miles of undeveloped beach, and the fun of watching ships make Whitefish Point a fine place to spend the day, whether or not many birds are around. There are usually some shorebirds in summer. For an excellent map of the Point's trails, and for helpful tips for birding at the point, stop at the observatory's gift shop, a treasure trove for bird lovers, and buy the observatory's checklist. In the same building, a small indoor nature center interprets the area. Just south of the building, feeders and shrubs attract birds, and a bench lets birders sit and observe.

Don't miss the trail to the hawk dune and overlook (behind the Shipwreck Museum) and the trail to the point (north of the observatory center). Here the dry forest of jack pine and lichens meets the wind-shaped dunes and beach. It's a glorious place to linger and spend the day watching birds and looking at Lake Superior's colorful beach stones. Birders are advised to bring warm clothing year-round for this windy, cool environment.

The bird observatory was established in 1979 "to document and study migratory bird populations and their habitats in the Great Lakes region, " according to a WPBO brochure. " Bird counts are held during migration season, from mid March through the end of May for hawks, and from mid April through May and from August 15 to November 15 for water birds. Research "determines both the composition and pathways of migrating raptors [hawks, owls, and other birds of prey]. Birds are caught using fine-mesh nets located in the woods at the Point, or at a blind using lures."

Bird banding is its most powerful research tool for assessing the health of birds. Owls are banded from mid March to the end of May, from July 1 to around August 20, and from September 15 to October 31. To estimate the fat beneath each bird's skin, banders blow the feathers on the bird's belly. The information gathered about age, sex, weight, fat, pesticides in the bird's blood, and more is entered into a nationwide computer database. If the bird is caught and rebanded or recovered by a citizen, the bird's migration can be mapped. Banding data can assess the health of various species' populations.

The WPBO's extensive web site, wpbo.org, has visitor information, current conditions and migrations, details of bird counts and banding, and much more. Notes with yearly data on featured birds are specific to the area and Upper Great Lakes region. Featured birds are the American robin, spruce grouse, common goldeneye (a diving duck), long-eared owl, long-tailed duck, rough-legged hawk, snow bunting, Harris sparrow, northern hawk owl, piping plover, sanderling, and yellow-rumped warbler.

Reading up in three WPBO books before a visit will prepare birders for birding at the Point. Hawk expert Jerry Liguori wrote Hawks of Whitefish Point ($4), an ID guide with drawings. Derek Lovitch's A Birder's Guide to Whitefish Point ($7) directs readers to the best seasons for various species, and to nearby areas where rare species might be seen. A Birding Guide to Michigan is a general favorite. They're available online, by mail.

WPBO-sponsored excursions throughout the year (around the Soo in winter) are on the web site, too. The year's big event, the Paradise-based Spring Fling, fills area motels. It's on the last full weekend in April with excursions, talks, and meals.


Migration at Whitefish Point: What to Expect When
By the Whitefish Point Bird Observatory
SPRING
Spring migration through Whitefish Point begins in mid-March and peaks in mid-May. Early spring highlights include Bald Eagles and Northern Goshawks, followed by 15,00-25,000 other raptors, with Sharp-shinned Hawks and Broad-winged Hawks being most common. Other raptors include Golden Eagle, Osprey, Rough-legged Hawk, Peregrine Falcon, Merlin, Turkey Vulture, Northern Saw-whet Owl and occasionally Great Gray Owl. By diligently searching through the thick jack pines in late April, fortunate individuals may find a Boreal Owl.
The impressive spring waterbird migration (20,000 to 45,000 birds) begins in mid-April. It features a large variety of loons, grebes, ducks, shorebirds, gulls, and terns, with many rarities found each season. Common and Red-throated Loons and Red-necked Grebes are frequently seen, as well as scoters and an occasional jaeger.
More excitement is provided by an excellent songbird migration that begins in April with finches, and peaks in May when warblers arrive in great numbers. Spring is a good time for beginning birders because many migrants are singing and displaying their breeding plumage.
FALL
Mid-August through October is a wonderful time for birding at Whitefish Point. Fall highlights include a spectacular migration of 50,000-100,000 waterbirds, with occasional single-day counts of several thousand loons, grebes, geese, and ducks, occasionally punctuated by a jaeger or unusual gull.
August and September are excellent months to test your birding skills by viewing large numbers of "fall-plumaged" songbirds. Many species stop to forage before journeying southward.

The WPBO gift shop and nature center are in a small building on the east side of the parking lot at the Point, opposite the Shipwreck Museum. (906) 492-3596. Open daily from around April 20 to around Oct. 10. Open daily 10-4. Handicap accessible. Free.

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