We conducted this year's WPBO staff birdathon on May 26th. Our team the "Northern Saw-whats?" recorded 123 species, and raised over $2,000 to help fund our new summer owl research. This money is the single biggest contributor to this research, thanks so much to all who pledged. Our species number was down slightly from last year. This was mainly due to a heavy fog, which kept the waterbird species at a very low total.


The birdathon started off with the above Great Horned Owl, the 5th to be banded this spring.


There was a huge fallout of songbirds overnight. The thrushes were calling continuously, and virtually every sweep of the lighthouse beam revealed 10-40 birds. A check under the lighthouse revealed the unfortunate effects of the light. These birds (above photo) were found dead under the light, from left to right; Blackburnian Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, and Red-eyed Vireo.


We made a presunrise trip to the Vermilion Field Station. In these inland marshes and bogs we heard American Bittern, Sora, Wilson's Snipe, Whip-poor-will, and Sedge Wren calling in the night.


The above Yellow-bellied Flycatcher was one of many Least and Yellow-bellied Flycatchers that had arrived at the Point during the overnight fallout.

This Black & White Warbler represented one of the 25 warbler species recorded during the birdathon.

This Yellow-headed Blackbird was one of several rarities to show up at the Point during the birdathon. Also seen on this day were Carolina Wren, very uncommon here, and a Eurasian Tree Sparrow.
Thanks again to all who supported this year's WPBO staff birdathon.

Highlights: Western Kingbird, Scissor-tailed Flycatcher


We received reports of the Western Kingbird & Scissor-tailed Flycatcher on the 2nd. The Kingbird was seen at the tip, efforts to relocate it were unsuccessful. The Scissor-tailed was seen around the parking area at the Harbor in the evening. It was not relocated the following morning. However, it was seen just north of the mouth of the Tahquamenon River on the evening of the 3rd.





Although the official spring research season is over, this has been a late spring up here and the migration continues. Recent reports include; Purple Martin, Lawrence's Warbler, Boreal Chickadee (photo above), Northern Mockingbird, and Black-backed Woodpecker (photo below).

HIGHLIGHTS: Orchard Oriole (top photo), Eurasian Tree Sparrow (above)

The Orchard Oriole found on the 24th was not relocated on the 25th. The 2nd Eurasion Tree Sparrow of the season was found at the feeders on the 25th. Among the 20 species of warblers in the 24th were; Orange-crowned, Black-throated Blue, Blackpoll (below,top), Bay-breasted (below, middle), American Redstart (below bottom), Cape May, and Blackburnian. Other sightings include; Peregrine Falcon, Black Tern, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Warbling Vireo, Swainson's Thrush, Rose-breasted and Evening Grosbeaks, and Common Redpoll.

Recent Highlights: Say's Phoebe, Western Tanager, Harlequin Duck, Little Gull, Marsh Wren, Black-backed Woodpecker, Boreal Chickadee.

The songbird diversity has picked up over the last week. The warblers are not in full swing, but sightings have included; Cape May, Black + White, Northern Parula, Blackburnian, Blackpoll, Orange-crowned, Black-throated Blue, and Ovenbird (photo below). There was a large movement of White-crowned Sparrows and a decent movement of Swamp and Lincoln's Sparrow. The Blue Jay numbers have really increased, the flock has pushed 2,000 this week. Merlins (photo above) and Sharp-shinned have really been giving them hell. Orioles, Rose-breasted + Evening Grosbeaks, Brown Thrasher, and Northern Mockingbird were also present this week. The owl banding continues to be productive and we've banded over 1,000 this spring, see the owl blog for more info.

Butterflies: Hoary Elfin

Highlights: Swainson's Hawk

We recieved no more reports of the Eurasian Tree Sparrow after the morning. A couple reported spending 1 1/2 hours at the feeders yesterday evening with no success. Calvin had his 2nd Swainson's Hawk of the season. The above photo is of the season's 1st on 4/22.

Highlights: Eurasian Tree Sparrow

The Eurasian Tree Sparrow found by Calvin Brennan yesterday was at the feeders again this morning. The bird was coming in to the feeders periodically until at least 11:00, but Sharp-shinned were regularly mixing things up. Other sightings included Black-throated Blue and Orange-crowned Warblers, Lapland Longspur, Vesper and Lincoln's Sparrow and Evening Grosbeak.

There has been some activity over the last few days. A male Black-backed Woodpecker, (photo above) was at the Point on the 6th. Other recent sightings have been Bufflehead, Long-tailed Duck, Bald Eagle, Hairy and Downy Woodpeckers, Red-winged Blackbird, Pine Grosbeak, and Common Redpoll (photo below). Calvin and Charlene Brennan visited this weekend and also had Common Loon, and Northern Goshawk.