PHOTO BY TOM SCHULTZ

Here is some general information about Jaegerfest, which will be taking place on Sept. 20-22, 2024 on Wisconsin Point (Superior).

This event started as a WSO (Wisconsin Society for Ornithology) field trip back in 1999 and has been annual ever since.  Hundreds of birders have attended over the years, not only from Wisconsin, but also many from Minnesota and a number of other states.  Jaegerfest is no longer featured as a WSO field trip for the past few years (for a variety of reasons), but many of us still attend each year.

Wisconsin Point is a long sand spit that extends along the shore near the west end of Lake Superior, and it provides the best opportunity in Wisconsin for observing Parasitic Jaegers.  Long-tailed and Pomarine Jaegers have also been observed there on several occasions, but they are both rare.  The annual jaeger show we get is why we first jokingly coined the term “Jaegerfest,” but it’s not a festival in any real sense -- it’s just an opportunity for birders to gather at one of the best places in the state for finding rare birds.  It is accessed from Moccasin Mike Road, east of Superior.  The group typically gathers on the beach near the first beach parking lot (Lot #1), where there is a restroom building.

Besides the Parasitic Jaegers (which have usually been seen daily during this event), there have also been many great “highlight” birds seen.  Sabine’s Gulls have been sighted most years, along with a nice variety of other gulls.  In 2022 we found a Glaucous-winged Gull on the Point, but we’ve also seen Great and Lesser Black-backed Gulls, Franklin’s and Laughing Gull, Bonaparte’s, Black-legged Kittiwake and Little Gull.  Most of the terns we see are Commons, but some Forster’s may be seen, and we’ve also spotted a few Arctic Terns.  Numerous other lake birds are often spotted.  From over the years, there have been too many highlights to mention.

As mentioned, Wisconsin Point is a sand spit (about 3 miles long) that has many trees along it, which can provide habitat for a variety of migrating birds.  On some days, many warblers have been present along the Point, and a variety of sparrows, vireos and thrushes can often be found.  Most years have produced Harris’s Sparrow.

Most birders stay in the area at a motel or campground, but reservations should often be made well ahead of time, if you can.  Some attendees also take the opportunity to visit Hawk Ridge in nearby Duluth to view migrating raptors.

Bringing a portable chair is a good idea.  The weather can be highly variable… we’ve had warm, sunny days on the beach, or much colder, windy or rainy conditions. 

Here’s a map pin for Parking Lot #1 on Wisconsin Point, which is our standard meeting and birding location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/ordaZSjiZxcowMMk8

Birders typically meet on the beach behind parking lot #1 – often around 7:00 AM (some may arrive there by 6:30 or so) each day, although one can come any time after that also.

Tom Schultz

Green Lake, Green Lake Co.

PHOTO BY TOM SCHULTZ