Whitefish Point Bird Observatory

Michigan · Midwest

ModerateOfficial Site

Habitat

ForestCoastal

Best Seasons

Spring

Difficulty

Moderate

Best Months

April-May

Entrance Fee

Free (donations welcome)

Hours

Dawn to dusk daily; observatory open mid-April – mid-October

About This Location

Whitefish Point juts into Lake Superior in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, creating one of the Great Lakes' most important raptor and waterbird migration corridors. Spring hawk flights can be spectacular, and the point regularly produces rare owls and northern finch irruptions.

Location

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Notable Species

Snowy Owl Northern Goshawk Red-necked Grebe Parasitic Jaeger Common Redpoll

Live Bird Data

Notable Sightings

Trumpeter Swan

Cygnus buccinator

3/4/2026Grand Mere SP--North Lake Park2 observed

Greater White-fronted Goose

Anser albifrons

3/4/2026S. Swanson Rd. potholes4 observed

Ross's Goose

Anser rossii

3/4/2026S. Swanson Rd. potholes1 observed

Cackling Goose

Branta hutchinsii

3/4/2026Palmer Rd. where it runs next to River Raisin1 observed

Trumpeter Swan

Cygnus buccinator

3/4/2026Lake St Clair, Neff Park, Grosse Pointe, Michigan4 observed

Snow Goose

Anser caerulescens

3/4/2026Victory Park1 observed

Song Sparrow

Melospiza melodia

3/4/2026Bridge Lake1 observed

Cackling Goose

Branta hutchinsii

3/4/202610977 Palmer Road, Brooklyn, Michigan, US (42.143, -84.206)2 observed

Cackling Goose

Branta hutchinsii

3/4/202610977 Palmer Road, Brooklyn, Michigan, US (42.143, -84.206)2 observed

Snow Goose

Anser caerulescens

3/4/2026Orchard Lake1 observed

Snow Goose

Anser caerulescens

3/4/2026Orchard Lake1 observed

Golden Eagle

Aquila chrysaetos

3/4/2026Ludington A D e Ludington Area, 3477 North Peterson2 observed

White-throated Sparrow

Zonotrichia albicollis

3/4/2026Millpond Park2 observed

Dark-eyed Junco (Oregon)

Junco hyemalis

3/4/2026Christian Hills1 observed

Ross's Goose

Anser rossii

3/4/2026S. Swanson Rd. potholes1 observed

Cackling Goose

Branta hutchinsii

3/4/2026S. Swanson Rd. potholes5 observed

Greater White-fronted Goose

Anser albifrons

3/4/2026S. Swanson Rd. potholes4 observed

Gadwall

Mareca strepera

3/4/2026Whiting Overlook Park2 observed

Golden Eagle

Aquila chrysaetos

3/4/2026Kid Ranch CSA Farm1 observed

Golden Eagle

Aquila chrysaetos

3/4/2026Kid Ranch CSA Farm1 observed

Recent Observations

Common Merganser

Frankfort Harbor

3/4/2026

7 birds

Ring-billed Gull

Frankfort Harbor

3/4/2026

35 birds

Greater Scaup

Frankfort Harbor

3/4/2026

65 birds

American Crow

Frankfort Harbor

3/4/2026

2 birds

American Herring Gull

Frankfort Harbor

3/4/2026

50 birds

Redhead

Frankfort Harbor

3/4/2026

8 birds

Red-breasted Merganser

Frankfort Harbor

3/4/2026

12 birds

Mallard

Frankfort Harbor

3/4/2026

4 birds

Long-tailed Duck

Frankfort Harbor

3/4/2026

4 birds

Common Goldeneye

Frankfort Harbor

3/4/2026

75 birds

Sandhill Crane

Lake O' The Hills

3/4/2026

2 birds

Pileated Woodpecker

Nancy Moore Park

3/4/2026

1 birds

Canada Goose

Nancy Moore Park

3/4/2026

Black-capped Chickadee

Nancy Moore Park

3/4/2026

Northern Cardinal

Nancy Moore Park

3/4/2026

1 birds

Tufted Titmouse

Nancy Moore Park

3/4/2026

2 birds

Rock Pigeon

208 S Superior St, Albion US-MI (42.2442,-84.7531)

3/4/2026

4 birds

House Sparrow

5093 Blaine Avenue Southeast, Kentwood, Michigan, US (42.871, -85.64)

3/4/2026

6 birds

White-breasted Nuthatch

5093 Blaine Avenue Southeast, Kentwood, Michigan, US (42.871, -85.64)

3/4/2026

1 birds

Merlin

5093 Blaine Avenue Southeast, Kentwood, Michigan, US (42.871, -85.64)

3/4/2026

2 birds

Birding Tips

1
Visit in April for the best raptor flights
2
Check the waterbird migration from the point in spring

Amenities

Parking

Restrooms

Visitor Center

Gift Shop

Nearby Attractions

Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum
Tahquamenon Falls

Birding Guides

Understanding Bird Migration: When, Where, and Why Birds Migrate

12 min read

Top Spring Migration Hotspots Across America

10 min read

Fall Migration Guide: Hawks, Sparrows, and More

10 min read

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Whitefish Point Bird Observatory for birding?▼

The best months to visit Whitefish Point Bird Observatory for birding are April-May. The best seasons are Spring.

What birds can I see at Whitefish Point Bird Observatory?▼

Notable species at Whitefish Point Bird Observatory include Snowy Owl, Northern Goshawk, Red-necked Grebe, Parasitic Jaeger, Common Redpoll. The area supports forest, coastal habitats.

How difficult is birding at Whitefish Point Bird Observatory?▼

Birding at Whitefish Point Bird Observatory is rated as Moderate. Some trails may require moderate fitness and basic hiking ability.

Is there an entrance fee at Whitefish Point Bird Observatory?▼

The entrance fee at Whitefish Point Bird Observatory is Free (donations welcome). Hours: Dawn to dusk daily; observatory open mid-April – mid-October.

What amenities are available at Whitefish Point Bird Observatory?▼

Whitefish Point Bird Observatory offers the following amenities: Parking, Restrooms, Visitor Center, Gift Shop.