The Keweenaw Peninsula is a migrating bird magnet and most of the activity winds up in Copper Harbor! Brockway Mountain is home to massive raptor migrations that take place in spring and fall. Hunter's Point is a last stop for migrating birds before crossing Lake Superior. The harbor itself gives many water birds a resting spot along Lake Superior. Many small inland lakes full of fish and vegetation are re-fueling stations too. Read on for details of these areas.
| Brockway Mountain is internationally known to bird enthusiasts as "Hawk Highway". The Audubon Society conducts their annual count on the mountain in spring. 18 North American raptors have been sighted during their migration.There are many raptors here all summer and the mountain is the perfect place to watch them. They often fly below along the cliffs or cruise by at eye level. Sometimes they soar up the side of the bluff and appear 'out of nowhere'. The bird and the birder both get a surprise. Spring is the best time to observe raptor migration, although fall gives a good showing too. |
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A hike onto Hunter's Point is a great way to experience the bird life in our area. Many birds in their migration follow Brockway Mountain down along Hunter's Point before heading across Lake Superior. In spring there is an incredible amount of birds on the point. If you are early enough, you can witness thousands of passerines take flight from the point beginning their flight over Lake Superior. Hunter's Point is a natural safe harbor ideal for nesting water birds. We have been lucky enough to have a nesting pair of Common loons in Copper Harbor each year. Common mergansers also nest in the area.
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The many quiet lakes along with the inlets and harbors of Lake Superior offer water fowl a place of refuge and nutrients. The Canada geese are plentiful. The larger species is most common, although the smaller species (Cackling Goose) have made their presence known in previous years. In early spring when the ice is breaking up you are likely to see Lesser scaup, Common goldeneye and Bufflehead in the harbor. Venture by a calm area of water and there will most likely be some water fowl to view. |
The "little" birds are easy to see in the spring as the leaves are just budding out. As the leaves begin to sprout the warblers are about. One can walk through town and observe migrating & resident birds all around. The Biking/Hiking trail just past town goes all the way to Fort Wilkins and is alive with migrating passerines. Spring of 2001, 23 species of warblers were identified in 1 day! Sit at the motel and see more birds than an average birding day in the field!
These are pictures of birds that have visited our feeders in spring.
Some of our more common 'year round' residents include: Red-breasted nuthatch, Blue jay, Pileated woodpecker, Downy woodpecker, Hairy woodpecker, Black-capped chickadee, American goldfinch, Great gray owl, Great horned owl, Barred owl, American bald eagle, Common raven, and Dark-eyed junco. We often get visited in the winter by Snow buntings, Redpolls, Pine grosbeaks, and White-winged crossbills.
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Don't let these great birding opportunities fly by! Come and do some bird watching in Copper Harbor.
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Bird photos, except for the American bald Eagle, by Karen Karl. All Rights Reserved.
The photo of the American bald eagle by Peter Weber, used with his permission.
All Rights Reserved. Thank you Peter! web site
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