We are currently accepting donations to fund the 2025 owl banding project. Please join us in our efforts to continue this important research!

Get involved

**Owl Banders needed for fall banding period

We are seeking a Lead and an Assistant Owl Bander from Sept 13 – Oct 25, 2025 for migratory owl banding at Whitefish Point, MI.


Whitefish Point is a prime migration spot in both spring and fall, with more diversity in owl species banded than any other site in North America. Owl species banded in past falls include mostly saw-whet, boreal, long-eared and barred, with the occasional great gray, great horned and hawk-owl. Duties include nightly banding (dusk-dawn), daily data entry, blog updates, and writing a seasonal report. LEAD OWL BANDER must have previous experience with mist-netting and banding owls. ASSISTANT OWL BANDER must have previous mist-netting experience. Shared housing is provided. Pay is $2500-$4000 for the season based on experience, plus free housing. Please send cover letter, resume, and reference contact information to Nova Mackentley at: fowpofficeATgmailDOTcom. Positions are open until filled.

Background

As of January 2025, the Friends of Whitefish Point has joined into a collaborative partnership with Lake Michigan Bird Observatory (LMBO) to act as our financial sponsor. LMBO is a 501(c)3 that has a mission statement very close to our own, putting collaborative research in the Western Great Lakes as a high priority. The Friends of Whitefish Point acts as an independent organization, but with the benefit of having a non-profit sponsor to assist with the administrative end of our fund-raising work.

Our goal is to raise $75,000 to cover the cost of the full 2025 year of owl banding. All donations made will be tax-deductible. 

Donate

We appreciate all of your support to continue the owl monitoring and associated research at Whitefish Point for 2025 and beyond!

To make a donation, click here:

In-kind Donations

We are seeking some specific items for the upcoming year to keep the owl banding program running. Please contact us if you can help with any of these:

  • A stepstool and small ladder

  • 9-volt batteries

  • Housing for the summer assistant owl bander.

  • Housing for the two fall owl banders.

Volunteer

We are looking for people who are interested in working with us to build the Friends of Whitefish Point and help with some of our on-site work. This includes things like helping with our nest box program and assisting in our various seasonal events.

If you have skills in areas such as woodworking, field biology, fundraising, accounting, outdoor education or grant writing, we could really use your help.

Please contact us if you are interested at fowpoffice AT gmail DOT com.

Luna Moth
Snowy Owl in flight

Frequently Asked Questions

If you still have questions, please contact us.

  • All donations to the Friends of Whitefish Point are processed through our financial sponsor Lake Michigan Bird Observatory and are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law.

  • Yes, upon completion of the donation transaction you will automatically be sent a receipt to the email that was listed with the donation.

  • In addition to donations, we also welcome any assistance in the form of equipment donations, nest box monitoring, and volunteering. If you’d like to help, please contact us.