Manitou Island Bird Survey

Manitou Island is situated in Lake Superior just off the eastern tip of Northern Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula.

As documented by Joseph Youngman and others, volunteer observers made 17 trips to Manitou totaling 63 days from 2002 through 2007 and recorded 204 species. They also documented major migratory flights of raptors over the island, and determined that at least 80 species may nest there. Since then, periodic surveys have continued through 2009.

Financial support for the survey has been provided by the Copper Country Audubon Club, Laughing Whitefish Audubon Society, the Michigan Breeding Bird Atlas II, a Michigan Natural Heritage Program Grant, and several private citizens.