Laughing Whitefish Bird Alliance is an independent chapter of Michigan Audubon serving Alger and Marquette counties in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. It advocates for protecting birds, wildlife, and local habitats through conservation, education, advocacy, and outdoor enjoyment. Look for us on Facebook. To learn more, please visit the LWBA About Page.
Announcements
Christmas Bird Count Dates
by Cathy Waller
National Audubon Society’s 125th Christmas Bird Count (CBC) takes place this year from December 14, 2024, through January 5, 2025. Participation is free! To arrange to participate, contact compilers by email in advance of the count day following the information.
Saturday, December 14, 2024 (Saturday) – Marquette
The compiler is Melinda Stamp at mstamp@mstamp.net or 906-869-2489.
Meet outdoors at 8:00 a.m. in the parking lot at Mattson Lower Harbor Park in Marquette. This meeting is optional, but please make sure to contact Melinda prior to the count if you are not planning to be there. All participants must contact the compiler in advance for planning purposes. Feeder counters are especially encouraged to participate. Information about the count will be distributed on the UPBirders.org email list. To subscribe, send a message to birdnet-subscribe@upbirders.org and you will receive a confirmation reply.
Sunday, December 15, 2024-AuTrain Count
The compiler is Scott Hickman at suboscine@gmail.com or 906-892-8603.
We will not be meeting at the start of this count at a central location. Each group will be meeting independently to census its preassigned section of the circle according to its own schedule. All communication for this count is done via email, so please contact the compiler by email at least two weeks before the count if you intend to participate. Potential participants should also know that most of the count circle is not accessible by car and is typically snow-covered on the day of the count.
Saturday, January 4, 2025– Gwinn Count
The compiler is Brian Johnson baidaj@yahoo.com or 616-600-5300.
Contact Brian for meeting place and time. Date could change based on participants’ availability.
Join us for another year of counting birds in the Les Cheneaux and Pickford Areas!
DECEMBER 19th, THURSDAY, 2024, 7:45am – 1:30pm
This count has been taking place for decades and is always exciting. It includes a wide variety of habitats from Great Lakes Islands and shoreline, to extensive grasslands and a variety of forests.
Please register ahead of time as it helps us plan out the day. Click here to register: https://forms.gle/yjGrYGQC516yStdX9
We are in need of counters to go out in teams to search as much of the area as possible identifying and counting birds. Experience is welcome, but not required and we will try to pair folks to help balance out the teams. We also welcome folks to count from their home if in the count circle area.
Feel free to reach out directly at 906-322-0353 or elliotne@msu.edu if you prefer
Overall Schedule:
DECEMBER 19th, THURSDAY, 2024, 7:45am – 1:30pm
7:45am-8am: Meet at Les Cheneaux Coffee Roasters, 33 Hodeck St. Cedarville, MI. Get your assignments and head off (if pre-registered may get assignment ahead of time)
8am – 12:30pm: Birding and counting!
12:30pm – 1:30pm: Lunch and tally up results
1:30 – ?: OPTIONAL – Head back out to cover any areas not covered already.
Contact Elliot Nelson for any questions or additional details. elliotne@msu.edu or 906-322-0353
JOIN today and prepare for some excellent winter birding.
Recent Birding Reports
Marquette County eBird Reports
November 2024 Newsletter is available now.
Upcoming Events
CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNTS – see column to left or above on your phone.
Be on the lookout for upcoming LWBA Bird Outings. Check our blog for past trip reports.