Whitefish point is a phenomenal concentration point for migrating birds. Plus, convenient lodging offers a vacation destination full of abundance of wildlife and other natureoriented experiences. Anchored by whitefish point in the north and the seney national wildlife refuge in the south, the 150mile trail guides visitors through the rugged and rare ecosystems of michigans upper peninsula. 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. View all attractions near whitefish point bird observatory on tripadvisor. Whitefish point lighthouse paradise 2020 all you need.
Banding of longeared and sawwhet owls continues into august. Whitefish point and great lakes shipwreck museum in michigan. Jul 26, 2017 anchored by whitefish point in the north and the seney national wildlife refuge in the south, the 150mile trail guides visitors through the rugged and rare ecosystems of michigans upper peninsula. 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. Rouge river bird observatory dearborn, mi, an urban oasis, banding during spring and fall migration. Whitefish point is 12 miles north of paradise, michigan, in the far eastern upper peninsula. In april, the birders might spot a huge crosssection. Whitefish point bird observatory, 16914 north whitefish point road, paradise, mi 49768, phone. Whitefish point in michigans upper peninsula is a great birding site for migrating birds in the spring and fall. With miles of beaches, trails, bird spotting sites and plenty to do in the whitefish bay region, the observatory is. Unfortunately, the bird observatory has a less than desirable website, but the area birding makes up for it. He is the author of a birders guide to whitefish point michigan and wrote the text and designed the birds of the maine backyard folding guide. Spruce grouse, sharptailed grouse, and breeding loons and swans.
The whitefish point lighthouse and museum north of paradise, mi is definitely worth a visit for lovers of lighthouses, maritime history and lake superior. Craig 2014 first off, i am not a birder or much of an outdoors type at all. Birders flock to the whitefish point bird observatory, where more than a third of north americas roughly 800 bird species have been sighted. Visit whitefish point light on your trip to paradise or. Whitefish point bird observatory birding tour michigan audubon. Whitefish point bird observatory birding explore m123. 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. Marie, mi 49783 call toll free 877shipwreck located at whitefish point, michigan, site of the oldest active lighthouse on lake superior. Whitefish point bird observatory birding tour will view the large numbers of migrating waterfowl that pass through the saginaw bay marches in early spring. Its pristine evergreen forest, mixed with birch, oak, and a dense under story, makes it birdfriendly all yearround. The whitefish point bird observatory is 72 miles north of st. More than 330 different birds have been spotted here, including many of those more closely associated with the ocean, including scoters, jaegers, longtailed ducks, and loads of terns and. Whitefish point lighthouse paradise 2020 all you need to. Wildlife refuge, saginaw bay, chippewa nature center, dow cooling ponds, etc.
It is 11 miles 18 km north of the unincorporated community of paradise, michigan. While there, well visit the wellknown whitefish point bird observatory where the songbird and waterbird migration can. Ted is senior author of bird finding guide to michigan and michigan nature centers and other environmental education facilities. 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. Great birding in the great lakes whitefish point is a place of. During spring and fall, whitefish point is one of the best birding sites in michigan. Ann arbor is in one of the best birding counties in michigan, and its a 50minute drive from one of the best birding locations in michigan, pte. The paul bunyan scenic byway association developed a birds of the byway brochure and tour guide checklist to help travelers appreciate, explore and enjoy birding. Hawks and finches start things off in midmarch and peak in late april. Whitefish point bird observatory 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 located 11 miles north of paradise, whitefish point bird observatory is the premier migration hotspot in michigan. Whitefish point bird observatory michigan nature association. Cross the mackinaw bridge to the upper peninsula and take rt.
It operates as a nonprofit, affiliate education and research facility of the. Located way up on the north side of michigans upper peninsula, next to the oldest operating lighthouse on the lake, whitefish point is a birders paradise. Ten bird watching hotspots in michigan bird watchers digest. The states best hotspots are whitefish point and tawas point, both of which jut out into the great lakes, attracting migrants by the thousands. Jan 07, 2007 whitefish point bird observatory is located on a point north of paradise, michigan in the u. Along with birding, derek enjoys hiking, exploring new natural areas, developing his native plant garden, craft beer, and eating. It is arguably the most important light on lake superior. During spring and fall it is one of the best birding sites in michigan and the great lakes region. Still working full time but will likely retire within the next 18 months and then will have more time for birding. 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 global big day may 9, 2020 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. The whitefish point bird observatory was established by the michigan audubon society in 1997 to document and study migratory birds and their habitats in the great lakes.
Just as birds migrate north when winter becomes spring, so will whitefish point observatory members, mna members and their guestsalthough their migration only lasts a weekendas they head to whitefish point for the 25 th annual wpbo spring fling. For 40 years, whitefish point bird observatory has been monitoring and documenting the migration of birds through the great lakes. In fall, raptors, ducks and shorebirds migrate past the. Spring migration begins in midmarch and peaks in midmay.
Paradise, michigan is only miles away from a few of the upper peninsulas most popular attractions. Nov 20, 2019 located way up on the north side of michigans upper peninsula, next to the oldest operating lighthouse on the lake, whitefish point is a birders paradise. Chartier and jerry ziarno a birders guide to michigan aba birdfinding guide series can be purchased from the american birding association aba. Birding soars in the straits of mackinac area mackinaw city. This famed spot tops out at more than 340 species, the greatest number of any site in the state. Located in michigans 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. Birding upper peninsula of michigan up michigan travel. 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. It operates as a nonprofit, affiliate education and research facility of the michigan audubon society. With its wooded dune and swale complex, distinctive to the. The surrounding land and water features create a natural corridor, funneling thousands of birds directly to the point each spring and fall as they travel through the great lakes. The whitefish point bird observatory observatory the dikes at point mouillee map heather slaytons wings over michigan resource site mark cassinos. Crew quarters reservations, the great lakes shipwreck museum. Al brushabers southeast michigan birding home page recent reports, hotlines, mystery bird, directions to and info about local birding sites and more.
More than 25,000 bald eagles, redtailed hawks and other raptors soar high above whitefish point during spring migration, and showy songbirds follow closely behind. Follow the wpbo blogs wpbo maintains three blog categories to keep you uptodate with happenings at the point. Cyclists can use the bike lanes along whitefish point road from paradise to whitefish point, catching glimpses of whitefish bay along the way. Aug 20, 2015 observing bird migration at whitefish point, mi in the fall is quite an experience.
Birding and birdwatching look and listen, for theres a symphony in the woods and a highway in the sky when warm weather arrives in pure michigan. More than 25,000 bald eagles, redtailed hawks and other raptors soar high above whitefish point during. Author craig takes us on a twomonth birding expedition to whitefish point michigan in search of migrating owls. Whitefish point bird observatory, paradise, michigan. Sep 30, 2018 birding in minnesota the whitefish chain area birding experience minnesotas smore capital birding in minnesota the whitefish chain area birding experience minnesotas whitefish chain region is a major flyway for migrating birds, offering more than 100 different species in an eighthour day. The superior birding trail in this area covers 150 miles, from the seney national wildlife refuge to whitefish point, with more than 300 bird species can be found. Hawk migration begins, and peaks quickly in september, with the large numbers of broadwinged hawks dominating the skies, with thousands of birds at wellknown hawkwatching stations between the 10 th and. A birders guide to michigan university of michigan.
See this page for updates and corrections from the back cover. The abundance of fresh water and wetland habitat create many excellent birding destinations. Jutting out in lake superior, whitefish point acts as a natural migration corridor, bringing thousands of birds. This weekend of birding activities from april 2628 gives attendees a chance to. When i arrived at the visitors center i checked the log book for sightings and found a recent entry for a great gray owl. Birding whitefish point, michigan bird watchers digest. Ignace on highway m123 and 55 miles northeast of newberry, mi on m123. A birders guide to michigan describes over 200 sites, with details on each sites birds, best seasons, and driving directions, accompanied by 200plus maps. The best places to see seabirds without getting seasick audubon. Whitefish point is a narrow peninsula that reaches several miles into lake superior toward canada. Whitefish point is only a 20mile drive from the state park. Whitefish point bird observatory is located on a point north of paradise, michigan in the u.
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. Located at the northeastern tip of michigans upper peninsula, whitefish point is a phenomenal concentration spot for migrating raptors, waterbirds, and song birds. Author craig takes us on a twomonth birding expedition to whitefish point michigan. Whitefish point, located on lake superior in michigans upper peninsula, is wellknown among birders for the amazing numbers of birds that migrate past the point. 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. The society and the wpbo together have recorded over 300 species of birds at whitefish point. This is an excellent month for migrating loons at whitefish point, and numbers of scoters and longtailed ducks build up through the month. Bird watchers tell us theyve seen nearly 400 different species in our 5star wilderness, including rare kirtlands warblers, boreal owls, loons, trumpeter swans and pileated woodpeckers. Thoroughly researched bar graphs describe the seasonal status and abundance of the states regularly occurring species, and an annotated list of specialties will guide birders to some of. The lighthouse is part of a complex of several buildings which includes a lighthouse, keepers quarters, and the shipwreck museum, as well as a birding lookout, and a monument to the edmund. Whether you are an experienced bird watcher or you just want to be amazed, a trip to the whitefish point bird observatory will be fun michigan birding experience. While there, well visit the wellknown whitefish point bird observatory where the songbird and waterbird migration can be legendary.
Whitefish point michigan, whitefish point, michigan. For 40 years, whitefish point bird observatory has been monitoring and documenting the. All vessels entering and leaving lake superior must pass the light. The rivermouth unit of tahquamenon falls is the best place in the park for birding. I read this book at the suggestion of a close friend who is. The point attracts tons of birds during migration both spring and fall. Celebrate the annual spring migration of birds at one of the nations premier birding locations with the whitefish point bird observatory spring fling. Tahquamenon falls, whitefish point lighthouse, and the great lakes shipwreck museum. Bird observatory, whitefish point michigan, upper peninsula. Visit whitefish point bird observatory on your trip to. Visitors staying for a longer period should walk the clark lake loopa 5. In any event, i went down maple river state game area gratiot county. Whitefish point bird observatory paradise 2020 all you. 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.
Birding photo gallery michigans upper peninsula is a birders paradise. Whitefish point bird observatory spring fling michigan audubon. The whitefish point lighthouse is the oldest continually operating lighthouse on lake superior beginning operation in 1849. Whitefish point is known for the great lakes shipwreck museum, its lake superior shoreline, the whitefish point lighthouse and as a prime birding area. The unit features a marsh where ringnecked ducks, redheads, and other waterfowl can easily be seen. Birding in minnesota the whitefish chain area birding. Field notes this blog is your goto for recent sightings at the point, including both the usual suspects and. The data collected by the audubon society has led to the area being recognized as a globally important bird area. I havent been posting to my new site too much birding and other distractions. Mar 04, 2008 birders flock to the whitefish point bird observatory, where more than a third of north americas roughly 800 bird species have been sighted. Some of my most memorable birding experiences occurred at whitefish pointchances are, some of yours will too. The best places to see seabirds without getting seasick.
Jutting out in lake superior, whitefish point acts as a natural migration corridor, bringing thousands of birds through this flyway every spring and fall. In spring whitefish point is one of the best sites in the country for owl viewing. Whitefish point area resources, upper peninsula michigan. Located in a remote corner of michigans eastern upper peninsula. The whitefish point light, a lighthouse in the upper peninsula of michigan, is the oldest operating light on lake superior.
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