SK Birding Adventures

08/11/2026

Join us in welcoming Oliver Kew, our 2026 Fall Field Ornithologist!

A passionate naturalist based in Petoskey, Oliver brings seven seasons of waterbird counting experience with Mackinac Straits Raptor Watch. He graduated from Michigan State University with a B.S. in Zoo & Aquarium Science and has worked with a variety of birds and reptiles. He loves exploring northern Michigan’s shorelines in search of exciting and unexpected birds and is excited to help highlight Whitefish Point’s importance as a migration pathway.

Starting August 15th, Oliver will be leading guided bird walks at Whitefish Point Bird Observatory every Saturday and Sunday through November 15. Walks run from 9–11 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. and are free and open to birders of all experience levels. No registration is required!

Join Oliver to explore the trails, shorelines, and boardwalks of WPBO while watching fall migration unfold. Learn more here: https://ow.ly/Wfpp50ZyykS

07/09/2026

06/10/2026

Congratulations to Sydney R of Port Huron for being a finalist of the State of Michigan 2026 “I Voted” sticker contest. Sydney designed a sticker featuring the Kirtland’s Warbler with the Mackinaw Bridge in the background. Winners will be chosen by the public. Voting is live now and ends on June 30th.

We are confident the Kirtland’s Warbler fans will want to help Sydney’s design win. To vote, go to the state website (https://forms.cloud.microsoft/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=h3D71Xc3rUKWaoku9HIl0ajjkSwlC4dEvMYAs9gerCpURDRSV1hIUDNNQTNCOFpXSlJER1lZVkVIVy4u&route=shorturl) where the drawings are featured. Sydney’s design is featured a bit towards the back, so keep advancing until you find it.

05/06/2026

Warbler day. Some more cooperative than others. Oden MI

05/01/2026

Barn Owl family near Beaumont Tx.

04/30/2026

So many birds to share from Texas I don't know where to begin. I'll start with one of our most sought after species - Kentucky Warbler. We looked for this elusive guy all day and found him just before we left the park. He likes to hop around on the ground in the forest and look for insects. Tiny guy! Life bird. Sabine Woods

03/07/2026

We want to share an update on one of the most severe lead poisoning cases we have treated this winter—one of two severe cases severe cases this season.

This Bald Eagle was admitted to our care after being rescued by the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians Natural Resources Department. After several days of treatment, the eagle initially rallied and showed encouraging signs of improvement. Unfortunately, about a week into care her condition began to decline rapidly, and she was ultimately provided a humane end to prevent further suffering.

Blood testing revealed lead levels that were astronomical. In fact, this eagle had enough lead circulating in her blood to be lethal to approximately 20 eagles.

Lead poisoning remains one of the leading causes of death for Bald Eagles in our region. Eagles are often exposed when they scavenge on animals left in the field after hunting or ingest fragments from carcasses and gut piles, as well as from lost fishing tackle.

At the Skegemog Raptor Center, we strongly support the hunting and fishing community. Many hunters and anglers are dedicated conservationists who care deeply about wildlife and healthy ecosystems. Our goal is education and awareness so that together we can reduce these preventable losses.

We encourage everyone to learn more about non-lead alternatives for ammunition and fishing tackle through our partners at Sporting Lead-Free : https://sportingleadfree.org

Please consider sharing this information with friends, family, and others in the hunting and fishing community. Small changes can make a significant difference for eagles and other wildlife.

03/04/2026

Only 4 days left until the first day of counting! Come out and visit us whenever you can, but specifically on these important migration weekends, when the specialty bird is normally at it's highest count of crossing the Straits!

https://www.mackinacraptorwatch.org/events/ -naturalist-weekends

03/03/2026

Traveling to northern Michigan to see a Kirtland's Warbler? Here's where to stay, where to eat, and what to do to complete your trip.