Whitefish Point and Whitefish Point State Harbor

No other place in Michigan holds such reverence and wonder for birders as Whitefish Point (Point). Located at the tip of the Eastern Upper Peninsula, this site provides one of the shortest crossings for birds migrating to Canada across Lake Superior. Consequently, it has been designated a Globally Important Bird Area and is one of the most amazing migration sites in all of North America.

The nearby Whitefish Point State Harbor, offers similar viewing opportunities just down the road. The point and its adjacent lands are owned and managed in cooperation with four separate entities. The Whitefish Point Bird Observatory (Observatory), is run by Michigan Audubon. Its mission is to document the distribution and abundance of birds in the Great Lakes Region, with special emphasis on migration and habitat. 

Inside the Observatory building you will find the Owl's Roost Gift Shop, exhibits, a feeder viewing area and helpful staff. Behind the Observatory birders are welcome to take a seat on one of the many benches and watch the birds at the feeders. The Observatory also staffs the Waterbird Shack in the spring and fall, the Hawk Watch Deck in the fall, and owl banders in the spring, summer and fall who capture birds in nets that are set up in the woods. 

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service manages the Whitefish Point Unit of Seney National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge). This 53-acre parcel of land is located on the east side of the road and surrounds the small parcel of land occupied by the Whitefish Point Bird Observatory and runs along the shoreline of Lake Superior. All of the Refuge's land at the point is considered critical habitat for the Endangered Great Lakes piping plover. 

For the protection of our natural resources, please note that rock and driftwood collection and drones are not allowed on Refuge property. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources manages the Whitefish/Vermillion Point Management Area encompassing 43,790 acres of state-owned land on the Point. 

This land encompasses beach, jack and red pine forest, mixed swam conifers, treed bog and marsh, aspen, oak and paper birch forests. The Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society's mission is to commence exploration of historic shipwrecks in eastern Lake Superior, near Whitefish Point in Michigan's scenic Upper Peninsula. 

Parking and restroom facilities offered by the Society which administers the former Coast Guard buildings, including the lighthouse and gift shop. Spring (March - May) Pack your spotting scope for an amazing birding adventure at the Point. In the early spring hawks and waterfowl can be seen in large numbers from virtually anywhere on the Point. 

Spring (March-May) Pack your spotting scope for an amazing birding adventure at the Point.  In the early spring hawks and waterfowl can be seen in large numbers from virtually anywhere on the point. The Hawk Watch Deck is the place to hang out on sunny afternoons in April and May. Thousands of sharp-shinned hawks, broad-winged hawks, and other birds can be seen circling on warm currents of air, gaining altitude before flying across the lake to Canada. Uncommon birds like northern goshawk and golden eagles can also be seen here on most days in April. If you'd like to get a little closer to the hawks, try spending time watching the bird feeders behind the Observatory's gift shop. Many hawks will come in close to try to grab a quick songbird meal off one of the feeders. 

The Spring Fling, Michigan Audubon's premier birding festival, takes place the last weekend in April. It offers a chance to get up close and personal with the several owl species that also migrate here. Michigan Audubon owl banders will take time to show some of the owls they catch banding the night before. You can also visit the owl banders on some weekends in spring and fall. As May approaches be on the lookout for migrating warblers and other songbirds. The woods are filled with birds as they feed on insects before continuing their journey. Don't forget to bring your bug spray, head net and other insect protection! 

Summer (June - August) The summer months are somewhat slower as resident birds nest and begin to raise their families. This is a great time to see the Endangered Great Lakes piping plover, which nests along the beach most summers. Fences and protective barriers are put up to help keep the plover's nest and young safe. However, you can walk along the edges and often get a chance to see these well camouflaged shorebirds sporting their many colorful bands.

Fall (September - November) Waterbirds migrate in large numbers in the spring, but it's the fall months of September and October that are really mind blowing. Red-necked Grebes are one of the most interesting species to pass by the point and they do so in staggering numbers. Some days over 1,000 birds can fly by the point in just a few hours. Each season over 10,000-18,000 red-necked grebes are typically counted, which is roughly a third of the North American population. Almost every other species of eastern North American waterfowl also flies by the point including common and red-throated loons, all three species of scoters, greater scaup, long-tailed ducks, northern pintails and many more. 

Winter (December to February) Winter at the Point is considerably slower. Winter residents you may find include woodpeckers, finches, Bohemian waxwings, nuthatches, creepers, chickadees, crows and jays. The Point is a legendary hotspot for extremely rare birds. Late spring and fall are often when rarities show up. However, it is possible to stumble upon something incredible any time. Recent rarities have included hepatic tanager, short-tailed hawk, shiny cowbird, Lewis woodpecker, Clark's nutcracker and many more. You never know just what you'll find at Whitefish Point!