Today is Friday, 5-19-17 and we are sitting on top of Brockway Mountain watching Broad-winged Hawks flying East. Sunny and 44 degrees. A nice change from yesterday.
In the spring, Whitefish Point is one of the premier sites in all of North America for observing the northward migration of birds, especially raptors and waterfowl.
The geography of Whitefish Point has turned it into a natural corridor that funnels in tens of thousands of birds as they travel through the Great Lakes region. Birds pass through the point on their way across the narrow strait that separates Whitefish Point from Ontario. Over 300 bird species have been recorded here. In the spring over 20,000 raptors will migrate through.
The ~30 acres of Whitefish Point are a mixture of dry coniferous forest, ponds and wetlands dotted with alders and willows, and sandy beach with dunes and beach grasses.
We camped at Tahquamenon Falls State Park 30 minutes from the Point.
The hut used by the Waterbird Counter at the beach. Needless to say it gets windy there.
They are one of the latest nesting birds, starting in late June or even early July, when most other songbirds are finishing with breeding.
It is thought that their late timing may be related to the availability of suitable nesting materials and seeds for feeding their young.
White-crowned Sparrow
This sparrow is one of the best-studied songbirds in all of North America.
In fact, much of the knowledge of bird song and development is based on studies of this species.
Red-tailed Hawk
The raspy call of this hawk is typically used in movies to represent any hawk or eagle anywhere in the world.
Eastern Chipmunk
We camped at Tahquamenon Falls State Park 30 minutes from the Point.
The hut used by the Waterbird Counter at the beach. Needless to say it gets windy there.
Male American Goldfinch
They are one of the latest nesting birds, starting in late June or even early July, when most other songbirds are finishing with breeding.
It is thought that their late timing may be related to the availability of suitable nesting materials and seeds for feeding their young.
White-crowned Sparrow
This sparrow is one of the best-studied songbirds in all of North America.
In fact, much of the knowledge of bird song and development is based on studies of this species.
Red-tailed Hawk
The raspy call of this hawk is typically used in movies to represent any hawk or eagle anywhere in the world.
Eastern Chipmunk
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