Whitefish point is a designated important bird area. Great birding in the great lakes whitefish point is a place of. Author craig takes us on a twomonth birding expedition to whitefish point michigan in search of migrating owls. Show off your love for bird conservation with michigan audubon tshirts, whitefish point bird observatory hoodies, beanies, and more. Whitefish point is a narrow peninsula that reaches several miles into lake superior toward canada. Whitefish point bird observatory tahquamenon scenic byway.
Same area another location near whitefish point, chippewa county, michigan. The whitefish point bird observatory wpbo is located in chippewa county, michigan, usa, adjacent to the whitefish point unit of the seney national wildlife. Located way up on the north side of michigan s upper peninsula, next to the oldest operating lighthouse on the lake, whitefish point is a birders paradise. Your birding experiences will naturally crescendo in midspring and early fall when thousands of migrating songbirds, birds of prey, shore and water birds traverse our skyways. Day trips from grand marais grand marais chamber of commerce. Whitefish point is a triangle of land projecting into lake superior on the northern shore of michigans upper peninsula, 35 miles northwest of. View all attractions near whitefish point lighthouse on tripadvisor. The whitefish point bird observatory is a research and education facility operated in affiliation with michigan audubon, a state chapter of the national audubon society. Whitefish point michigan, whitefish point, michigan. Each fall, the whitefish point bird observatory hires a waterbird counter to monitor and count all of the birds that migrate past this incredible site. In spring, thousands of migrating birds are funneled past the point, and the spring fling birding festival in late april includes earlymorning and dusk owl programs plus walks and workshops. Located 11 miles north of paradise, whitefish point bird observatory is the premier migration hotspot in michigan.
Bird observatory, whitefish point michigan, upper peninsula. Nature shop wild birds unlimited grosse pointe woods. The abundance of fresh water and wetland habitat create many excellent birding destinations. Nata great lakes shipwreck museum at whitefish point. Birding soars in the straits of mackinac area michigan. Whitefish point is 12 miles north of paradise, michigan, in the far eastern upper peninsula. The surrounding land and water features create a natural corridor, funneling thousands of birds directly to the point each spring and fall as they. Field notes this blog is your goto for recent sightings at the point, including both the usual suspects and. It will be considered not public in the ebird database since we cannot approve bird records without accurate location information. It is the oldest working upper michigan lighthouse on this. Also located at the lighthouse station are a shipping and shipwreck museum, a gift shop, captain and crew quarters, and the whitefish point bird observatory. Celebrate the annual spring migration of birds at one of the nations premier birding locations with the whitefish point bird observatory spring fling.
Whitefish point, located on lake superior in michigan s upper peninsula, is wellknown among birders for the amazing numbers of birds that migrate past the point. Follow the wpbo blogs wpbo maintains three blog categories to keep you uptodate with happenings at the point. Though you wont get the smell of the salty air, you can find a ton of seabirds on superiorand whitefish point might be the best place to look for them. Many birders come to michigan with the intention of adding kirtlands warbler to their life listsbut the state should by no means be dismissed as a onespecies wonder. The observatory is located at whitefish point, 11 miles north of paradise, michigan. Paradise, mi 49768 906 4923596 located in michigan s eastern upper peninsula, the whitefish point area is famous throughout the upper midwest for its impressive waterbird migrations, as well as its proven attraction as a vagrant trap. We are able to support the whitefish point bird observatory.
Whitefish point bird observatory located at the northeastern tip of michigan s upper peninsula, whitefish point is a phenomenal concentration spot for migrating raptors, waterbirds, and song birds. The michigan audubon society has established the whitefish point bird observatory, across from the light station, where a small information room tells birders the species to be watching for as they hike along the network of trails along. Birding whitefish point, michigan bird watchers digest. Whitefish point bird observatory wpbo is the premier migration hotspot in michigan. Whitefish point bird observatory paradise 2020 all you need to. Jutting out in lake superior, whitefish point acts as a natural migration corridor, bringing thousands of birds through this flyway every spring and fall. Whitefish point chippewa county, michigan, us get directions all months jan feb mar apr may jun jul aug sep oct nov dec all years last 10 years current year october big day oct 19, 2019 global big day may 4, 2019 october big day oct 6, 2018 global big day may 5, 2018 global big day may, 2017 global big day may 14, 2016 global big day.
Whitefish point light station, great lakes shipwreck museum and bird observatory newberry areas featured upper michigan attractions whitefish point light station since 1849, the whitefish point light station has been a working lifesaving beacon for traveling ships on lake superior. I read this book at the suggestion of a close friend who is. Whitefish point and great lakes shipwreck museum in michigan. Both experienced and novice bird watchers will enjoy a visit to whitefish point bird observatory to watch bird migration through the whitefish bay region. During spring and fall, whitefish point is one of the best birding sites in michigan. Whitefish point is a cape of michigan s upper peninsula, united states, marking the entry point of whitefish bay. Whitefish point is the best place in north america to observe the sawwhet owl. Although the great gray owl season will be over, the spring migration season at whitefish point hits its peak in midmay. It operates as a nonprofit, affiliate education and research facility of the michigan audubon society. Moreover, the extensive bar graph at the end of the book shows the likelihood of. The society and the wpbo together have recorded over 300 species of birds at whitefish point. Whitefish point bird observatory located 11 miles north of paradise, whitefish point bird observatory is the premier migration hotspot in michigan. Great lakes shipwreck museum, the maritime museum in the upper peninsula of michigan on whitefish point, dedicated to great lakes martime history learn about lake superior lighthouses, great lakes shipwrecks and much more.
Whitefish point is a triangle of land projecting into lake superior on the northern shore of michigan s upper peninsula, 35 miles northwest of sault ste. Whitefish point bird observatory birding tour will view the large numbers of migrating waterfowl that pass through the saginaw bay marches in early spring. The spring is 200 feet across and 40 feet deep and is a constant 45 degrees, yearround. Whitefish point bird observatory paradise 2020 all you.
He is currently on the board of directors of the michigan audubon society, and he was a member of the board of directors of the whitefish point bird observatory for over 10 years. Add the additional habitat afforded by 11,000 interior lakes, 36,000 miles of rivers and streams, and the largest state forest system in the nation. The whitefish point lighthouse is the oldest continually operating lighthouse on lake superior beginning operation in 1849. With its wooded dune and swale complex, distinctive to the. Hawks and finches start things off in midmarch and peak in late april. Learn more about the top birding areas in michigan and find the best viewing spots for bird migrations. The whitefish point bird observatory has recorded more than 340 bird species on their books. With a wide variety of bird species and home to thousands of miles of trails, pure michigan is your destination for birding and birdwatching. Its pristine evergreen forest, mixed with birch, oak, and a dense under story, makes it bird friendly all yearround. The whitefish point bird observatory has an online map of recent bird sightings in michigan, followed by a species list with rare birds listed first, date of sighting, and location. Whitefish point area resources, upper peninsula michigan. Another location near whitefish point, chippewa county, michigan, us on mon mar 23, 2020. Most of whitefish point is a state wildlife sanctuary, renowned for the variety of birds that pass through.
Craig 2014 first off, i am not a birder or much of an outdoors type at all. Whitefish point, one of the most famous bird sites of michigan, protrudes into. Tens of thousands of birds are funneled to the point every spring and fall while migrating through the great lakes region. The bird observatory is known to birders for the flocks of birds that congregate in the area upon their migration to and from canada. Banding of longeared and sawwhet owls continues into august. Whitefish point lighthouse and museum, michigans upper. Located in a remote corner of michigan s eastern upper peninsula. During the last week of april, their spring fling is an ornithological riot of workshops and birding. Click below to purchase a variety of michigan audubon and whitefish point bird observatory gear as well as assorted books and field guides.
Ignace on highway m123 and 55 miles northeast of newberry, mi on m123. The whitefish point bird observatory wpbo is located in chippewa county, michigan, usa, adjacent to the whitefish point unit of the seney national wildlife refuge. Ten bird watching hotspots in michigan bird watchers digest. Whitefish point is just north of paradise on whitefish bay, there you will find the great lakes shipwreck museum, whitefish point lighthouse, and bird observatory.
Whitefish point bird observatory wild birds unlimited nature shop. This famed spot tops out at more than 340 species, the greatest number of any site in the state. The point s hawk and waterfowl migrations, however, are unbeatable. Farnquist talked about the history of shipwrecks along the coast of lake superior west of the lighthouse, which is located on the northernmost point of michigan s upper peninsula. The states best hotspots are whitefish point and tawas point, both of which jut out into the great lakes, attracting migrants by the thousands. Whitefish point bird observatory documenting the distribution and. Whitefish point lighthouse michigan upper peninsula. Whitefish point, located along the lake superior shoreline of the upper peninsula in paradise, michigan, is truly a spectacular birding site. Audubon society bird observatory at whitefish point near paradise, michigan. Located on lake superior next to the great lakes shipwreck museum, the whitefish point bird observatory conducts two of the longestrunning point counts in north america. Thousands of raptors and other birds migrate past the. Located in michigan s upper peninsula, this spot is a natural migration corridor. It is 11 miles 18 km north of the unincorporated community of paradise, michigan whitefish point is known for the great lakes shipwreck museum, its lake superior shoreline, the whitefish point lighthouse and as a prime birding area. Whitefish point lighthouse paradise 2020 all you need.
Whether you want to sharpen your birding skills, witness the awesome migration, or enjoy the scenic beauty and ecology of the great lakes, whitefish point is the place for youplaces to go birding in michigan this page is arranged by michigan. The best places to see seabirds without getting seasick. Whitefish point, located along the lake superior shore in paradise, michigan, is a great birding site. Michigan s largest freshwater spring, kitchitikipi is located in palms books state park, a little over an hour from grand marais on us2 west of manistique. B whitefish point one the best birding hotspots in north america, whitefish point s remote location means it gets fewer visitors than point pelee or cape may. The whitefish point bird observatory is 72 miles north of st. Ted is senior author of bird finding guide to michigan and michigan nature centers and other environmental education facilities. In fall, raptors, ducks and shorebirds migrate past the. Last, well spend two nights near tawas point on the lake huron coastline, a site that easily ranks as one of the premier midwestern migration hotspots. The point itself juts out in lake superior and acts as a natural migration corridor that brings thousands of birds through this migratory flyway every spring and fall. Great lakes shipwreck museum edmund fitzgerald great. Surrounded by four great lakes, michigan boasts 3,000 miles of shoreline.
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