You are here2012 Birding Michigan Field Trip Series
2012 Birding Michigan Field Trip Series
The Birding Michigan Field Trip Series offers birders of all skill levels the opportunity to spend time in the field with experienced leaders in some of Michigan’s best birding “hot spots,” while at the same time supporting the Whitefish Point Bird Observatory’s research and education programs. These trips focus on visiting great birding places in Upper Michigan during peak times, and provide a great way to improve your identification and bird finding skills. Leaders for all trips are experienced birders and knowledgeable about the birds of Michigan. All have led numerous trips for WPBO or other birding organizations. If you have questions about these trips, contact Tony Janisch (WPBO Director) by email at info@wpbo.org or by phone at 906-492-3596.
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Commentaries on our Breeding Birds tours:
"The UP trip this weekend was spectacular. Lathe Claflin, Joyce Peterson, and Jacco were all exceptional. The trip was well-planned, well-organized and competant in every respect. It was a large group and every care was taken to be certain that everyone had a good experience each day, all day. It was worth far more than what we paid to participate. You are most fortunate to have these wonderful people represent you and we were most fortunate to be there with them. Please pass on my thanks for a memorable weekend to all the leaders."
"Boreal Chickadee. Evening Grosbeak. Spruce Grouse. Clay-colored Sparrow. Whip-poor-will. Black-backed Woodpecker. Connecticut Warbler. No, I am not idly flicking through the pages of Sibley's, these are birds we actually saw (okay we heard the Whip-poor-will) on the WPBO breeding birds tour last weekend. These birds and many others made for a fantastic trip, and I would like to give a heartfelt thanks to Lathe, Mike, Jacco, and Joyce for finding and organising such a brilliant weekend. And of course to my fellow participants whose unfailing optimism in the face of a mosquito hell at times, made for one of my best trips ever."
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To register for one or more trips, download a print-and-send field trip registration form.
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Winter Birding around the Soo
Trip Date:Saturday, January 14, 2012 - Sunday, January 15, 2012Leader(s):Jerry Ziarno & Tony JanischNote: This trip has already occurred. See the trip report.
We are now offering a Winter Birding around the Soo II trip for February 11-12, 2012.
Winter birding in the eastern Upper Peninsula of Michigan can be an amazing experience. Snowy Owls, Sharp-tailed Grouse, Rough-legged Hawks and Northern Shrikes are almost always present. Great Gray Owls, Northern Hawk Owls, Gyrfalcons, Northern Goshawks, Hoary Redpolls, Pine Grosbeaks, Evening Grosbeaks and Bohemian Waxwings are possible. WPBO has conducted these winter trips for over 15 years.
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Winter Birding around the Soo II
Trip Date:Saturday, February 11, 2012 - Sunday, February 12, 2012Leader(s):Jerry Ziarno & Tony JanischNote: This trip has already occurred. See the trip report.
We have added a second Winter Birding around the Soo trip for February 11-12, 2012. It will have the same itinerary as the first trip, adjusted of course based on the most recent sighting reports. The trip requires at least five registrants to go.
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Birding Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge
Trip Date:Saturday, March 24, 2012Leader(s):Jerry ZiarnoNote: This trip has already occurred. See the trip report.
Because of a breeding pair of Bald Eagles, Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge will be closed to traffic during the trip date. We will instead be Birding the Marshes of Saginaw Bay. This tour will give participants the opportunity to view a large number of migrating waterfowl, many of the same species we would have seen in Shiawassee NWR. This will also give us the opportunity to observe some early raptors and shorebirds, like Killdeer and Yellowlegs. (March 12, 2012)
This tour will provide our participants with a “behind the scenes” look at this 9,000 acre refuge during a period when thousands of migrating waterfowl, including Tundra Swans, Greater White-fronted and Snow Geese, and most North American ducks will be stopping over on their way north. We may also have a chance to observe some early migrating raptors, shorebirds and songbirds.
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Birding in Paradise
Trip Date:Friday, April 27, 2012Leader(s):TBARegistration is FULL. This trip is now closed.
A Spring Fling 2012 Pre-trip.
If you plan to attend the 2012 Spring Fling, why not get a head start on the weekend with this pre-Spring Fling trip? This field trip will begin at Whitefish Point with a chance to view any owls caught late in the night by the owl banders. The focus of the trip will be spring migration at the point including raptors, waterbirds and early passerines.
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Searching for Spruce Grouse
Trip Date:Sunday, April 29, 2012Leader(s):Bill ScharfRegistration is FULL. This trip is now closed.
A Spring Fling 2012 Post-trip.
Spruce Grouse in on the “most wanted” list for many birders and can be notoriously difficult to find on your own. We will combine our knowledge and expertise, and the advantage of the collective eyes of a group, in an attempt to locate one or more of these birds.
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Breeding birds of the Eastern U.P.
Trip Date:Saturday, June 2, 2012 - Sunday, June 3, 2012Leader(s):Mike Kielb & Jacco Gelderloos
Registration is FULL. This trip is now closed.Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is the nesting ground for numerous neotropical migrants that are not easily found at lower latitudes. Target species include Olive-sided, Yellow-bellied and Alder Flycatchers; Sedge Wren; Northern Parula; Palm and Mourning Warblers; Clay-colored, LeConte’s and Lincoln’s Sparrows.
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Fall Migration at Whitefish Point
Trip Date:Saturday, September 22, 2012Leader(s):TBAWhile Spring migration at the Point is very well known, Fall migration can also be quite spectacular. Water birds tend to dominate the views through birders’ scopes during Fall migration, but so do rare species like Jaegers.