WPBO

Located just north of Paradise, Whitefish Point Bird Observatory is a program of Michigan Audubon and a premier migration hot-spot in Michigan.

[WPBO @WPBO]

Week 3 Piping Plover Update
"Last week, our pair finally established an official nest, with 2 eggs. This week two more eggs were laid, for a full clutch of four eggs."
Full blog: https://t.co/dsbPkhEiHt
Photos by Morgan Ness:
📸1 - Mama V
📸2 - V and LO’s girls’ day on the beach

[WPBO @WPBO]

Due to recent bear activity, we had to temporarily take the feeders down.
📸Evening Grosbeak and Rose-breasted Grosbeak | Max Henschell

[WPBO @WPBO]

Spring Waterbird Count Blog!
"The great thing about the end of the season here is that things haven’t completely slowed down, and there are still plenty of birds to see."
Aaron's final blog: https://t.co/KKu85vhdrT
Photos by Aaron Graham
📸1 - Common Loons
📸2 - Peregrine Falcon

[WPBO @WPBO]

Raptor Count Blog - The End of the Season
"The raptor count this year has been a smashing success, with a total of 19,594 raptors counted."
Read Sean's full season recap: https://t.co/DzPZeZp1zK
Photos by Sean McLaughlin
📸1 - American Kestrel
📸2 - Sean's Last Day at the Count

[WPBO @WPBO]

As we enter late May, one of the main spectacles are the Whimbrel flights. While they are often uniform in species composition, this flock had a surprise Dunlin mixed in.
Photos by Aaron Graham
📸1 - Whimbrel on the beach
📸2 - Flock of Whimbrel and a Dunlin

[WPBO @WPBO]

Last chance to enter the 2026 Michigan Audubon Photography Awards!
Thank you to our sponsor, MSU Federal Credit Union and Meijer for supporting this year’s awards.
Submit here: https://t.co/oxe9pjyV5I

[WPBO @WPBO]

Late May is when many young birds arrive to the north country. Young Broad-winged Hawks are the most numerous raptor being recorded these days, forming small kettles on pleasant late May days.
📸Broad-winged Hawk | Sean McLaughlin

[WPBO @WPBO]

Piping Plover Week 2 Updates

"May 21-27th at Whitefish Point Bird Observatory brought excitement, territorial drama, strong lake winds, and the discovery of the season’s first eggs!"

Read Morgan's full blog here: https://t.co/ExzFitxafN

📸 Piping Plover "V" | Morgan Ness

[WPBO @WPBO]

Only five days left to enter the 2026 Michigan Audubon Photography Awards!
We're excited to celebrate the birds, moments, and stories you've captured across Michigan.
Submit your entries by May 31: https://t.co/eKG0KXDMWC

[WPBO @WPBO]

Spring Waterbird Count 5/20-5/26
"About an hour later, I heard the distinct calls of a Marbled Godwit, which flew in and spent the morning on the beach with the two Willets."
Full blog here: https://t.co/6kY9BV9pe9
📸1 - Marbled Godwit resting on the beach | Aaron Graham

[WPBO @WPBO]

To celebrate the end of Birdathon week, here are some of our favorite birds our teams spotted.
Birdathon week may be over, but donations are still open! Your support helps protect birds like these and the habitats they depend on. Donate here: https://t.co/NsOQ0WewNo

[WPBO @WPBO]

Spring Raptor Count - Nearing the Finish Line
"The end of May can be one of the best times to birdwatch at Whitefish Point. Diversity reaches it’s zenith, warblers abound, and raptors chug onward."
Full blog: https://t.co/vIhpBmctM1
📸Crested Caracara by Sean McLaughlin

[WPBO @WPBO]

Our final team, WPBO, is birding today for Birdathon, and they have already recorded 82 species!
Follow along live: https://t.co/JA08uztTTm
Birdathon helps support bird conservation, research, and chapters across Michigan. Donate to Birdathon today:https://t.co/NsOQ0WewNo

[WPBO @WPBO]

While shorebirds certainly fall under "waterbird", not all shorebirds are as fond of the water, with Upland Sandpipers being a great example of this. This species prefers grassland habitats, as the "upland" part of its name would suggest.
📸Upland Sandpiper | Aaron Graham

[WPBO @WPBO]

Cape May Warblers are an impressive migrant, and a more common warbler species spotted at Whitefish Point in springtime.
📸Cape May Warbler | Sean McLaughlin

[WPBO @WPBO]

With their loud calls and bold colors, Blue Jays are a bird many of our Birdathon teams will spot this week. What bird are you hoping teams will find during Birdathon?
Support the search by making a donation to Birdathon today: https://t.co/0XFylZbwCC

[WPBO @WPBO]

On Monday, the Macomb Audubon Society recorded 96 species at Lake St. Clair Metropark!

There's still time to cheer on your favorite team with a donation. Every contribution helps make Birdathon a success for birds and conservation.

Donate today: https://t.co/N9vixnPi8W

[WPBO @WPBO]

Piping Plover Week 1 Update
"We have X,V:Of,YY (“V” or “Violet”), who has previously nested at the Point, and her partner X,-:O[Y]Gdot (“G”)."
Full blog here: https://t.co/DZHKYApS96
Photos by Morgan Ness
📸1 - PIPL "V"
📸2 - PIPL "G"
📸3 - Piping Plover Pair

[WPBO @WPBO]

Spring Waterbird Count 5/13 - 5/19
"upon approaching the dune I was elated to get close views of a skulking alternate-plumaged Thick-billed Longspur, only the second record for the point!
Full blog: https://t.co/iyDhgyDCEO
📸1 - Thick-billed Longspur | Aaron Graham

[WPBO @WPBO]

Last year during Birdathon Big Day, the team at Whitefish Point Bird Observatory counted 180 species. This year we have four teams birding across Michigan. How many species do you think our teams will find this year?
Support Birdathon here: https://t.co/lXEUnVlydS