We are excited to offer two fall birding tours in the greater Whitefish Point area this coming fall. Tour itineraries will be tailored to our participants’ priorities, and offering opportunities to pursue regional specialties (such as Spruce Grouse, Black-backed Woodpecker, and Red Crossbill), to witness migration’s rush at Whitefish Point, and enjoy other elements of this area’s unique natural life. Included with each tour is an evening visit to the Friends of Whitefish Point’s owl banding station!
September tour emphases:
Red-necked Grebe migration at Whitefish Point- more Red-necked Grebes pass Whitefish Point in fall than anywhere else in North America.
A great assortment of warblers, sparrows, and other songbirds in the woods.
With some luck, jaegers or Sabine’s Gull at Whitefish Point
October tour emphases:
Peak waterbird migration at Whitefish Point, with highlights such as scoters and Long-tailed Ducks passing through in large numbers.
Northern finches and northern forest owls could be showing up at this time.
Some of Michigan’s most unprecedented vagrant birds have shown up in October at Whitefish Point.
We invite and welcome birders of all skill levels: we will focus on building identification skills, sharing the natural history of this place and the flora and fauna we encounter, and enjoying fun, full days in the field doing what we all love: watching birds. The tours will not be physically strenuous, though we’ll likely be spending more time in the woods (and on the shore) than we’ll spend driving, and we will be walking over uneven terrain and sand.
100% of the tour fee will support the Friends of Whitefish Point’s long-term owl banding program. Included in the cost is two full days of birding with experienced guides and a visit to the owl banding station one night; light refreshments and warm beverages will also be provided. Lodging and meals are not included, though we’ll be taking lunch and dinner together. Max group size is 12 participants with two group leaders.
There are two local hotels, Paradise Lakefront Lodge & Paradise Shores Cabins, supporting the Friends of Whitefish Point by providing our participants with a 10% off coupon during these tours. You will receive the discount information in your confirmation email.
Our Guides
Alison Vilag fell in love with Whitefish Point when she was eight while she watched the lighthouse's beam sweep over a perched Great Gray Owl. Since then, birds have taken Alison around the continent: she spent two years guiding birders and photographers in Alaska's Pribilof Islands, she was a Kirtland's Warbler tour guide for three years, and in November and December she will conduct Monterey Bay's Pt. Pinos Seawatch for her fourth consecutive fall. But Whitefish Point is the place she's loved the longest: she conducted the waterbird count there for five migrations, was Piping Plover monitor for a summer, and, though she currently works full-time in Traverse City's hospitality industry, she makes sure to steal away to the Point as often as she can. It is important to Alison to create meaningful experiences with people, birds, and places. She is excited for the opportunities these tours present to do just that. Alison is the Outreach Specialist for the Friends of Whitefish Point.
A lifelong birder, Chris Neri became fascinated with owls when he was 8 years old after reading the Hardy Boy’s book “The Clue of the Screeching Owl”. His field research career began in 1990s’ when he was introduced to owl banding at the Cape May Owl Banding Project. Since then he has spent over 70 field seasons working on a variety of avian research projects across the country. He arrived at Whitefish Point as an owl bander in 1999. Chris has co-authored several peer-reviewed papers on owls and he is passionate about documenting all the animals that occur at the Point, with a special interest in moths. As a nature photographer, Whitefish Point provides many opportunities for Chris to capture birds and other wildlife with a camera. He’s excited to bring over two decades of field experience & his photographic experience to these tours. Chris is the Owl Banding Manager for the Friends of Whitefish Point.
Alec Olivier first visited Whitefish Point in 2005 at the age of 4. Since then, he has birded around the country. Nothing has fascinated him as much as migration at Whitefish Point. The excitement of not knowing what rare bird or migration event is around the corner is enough to keep him coming back. He’s been fortunate to spend a season as the fall Waterbird Counter at Whitefish Point. In addition, he spent two summers as the Piping Plover Monitor and a season as the Spring Field Intern. Alec has guided at the Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival as well as multiple group and private tours in the eastern UP. He is currently a member of the Michigan Bird Records Committee. Alec is a dedicated volunteer for the Friends of Whitefish Point, and takes every opportunity he can get to go out with people and show them how unique and special this place is.
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