Whitefish Point Bird Observatory

Located 11 miles north of Paradise, Whitefish Point Bird Observatory is the premier migration hot-spot in Michigan. Jutting out in Lake Superior, Whitefish Point acts as a natural migration corridor, bringing thousands of birds through this flyway every spring and fall. With its wooded dune and swale complex, distinctive to the Great Lakes region, the Point witnesses a huge diversity of migrants. Home to numerous rare breeding birds, this Globally Important Bird Area has recorded over 340 bird species. Research conducted at WPBO significantly contributes to an ongoing effort to increase knowledge of bird migration, encourage public awareness of birds and the environment, and further critical bird conservation.

Updates from the Point

The beloved waterbird shack, a refuge to numerous counters as they conducted research, washed away in a late-November storm this fall. The shack, which Michigan Audubon Member Matt Johnstone built, was installed for its first season in the spring of 1999.

Along with the missing shack, visitors to WPBO may find the beach landscape unrecognizable following the storm, which eroded a substantial portion of the shoreline — Lake Superior has essentially overtaken much of the Point. “Shocking” and “surreal” have been used to describe the feeling of seeing so much change in its geography in so little time.

These changes will undoubtedly affect the birds and other wildlife that use the shoreline at WPBO and the research being conducted. Please stay tuned for more updates in the coming months.

If you are visiting the Point, please know that the former gift shop, the Owl’s Roost, is now our owl banding lab. The gift shop is now an online store for both Michigan Audubon and WPBO, with various branded merchandise, assorted books, and field guides.

A Birders’ Paradise

Donate

WPBO depends on your support to help fund bird counts, owl bandings, and avian research. Donate to Michigan Audubon to support WPBO today.

Support Birdathon

During our annual Birdathon, WPBO staff and volunteers count as many birds as possible in 24 hours. You can pledge to donate per event or per species.

Adopt an Owl

Want a unique gift in honor of your donation? Symbolically adopt an owl to receive a photo and certificate of adoption of an owl species banded at WPBO.