Chris Izworski, reporting from Michigan, turns to Grand Traverse County this morning with 177 species recorded over the past two weeks and a breeding season in full swing. The data points to strong waterbird activity around the Boardman Lake system and persistent gull and cormorant concentrations at Old Mission Point Park, but the real news is a cluster of Greater Scaup that have lingered at Logans Landing and a pair of Common Goldeneye holding on well into early June.
Waterbirds Dominating the Count
Ring-billed Gulls lead the reporting with 101 individuals at Old Mission Point Park, while Double-crested Cormorants follow at 95 birds, also at the Point. These numbers reflect the typical early June pattern for Grand Traverse County's lake-facing shorelines, where gulls and cormorants stage during breeding season. American Herring Gulls are present in smaller numbers at the same location, eight individuals noted most recently on June 4.
The more interesting water story is unfolding at Boardman Lake, Logans Landing. A Greater Scaup has been reported multiple times in the past two weeks, most recently around June 3. Even more noteworthy, two Common Goldeneye showed up on June 3 at the same location. Both species are tardy lingerers in early June this far north; scaup especially should be well away from Michigan lakes by now. These birds warrant a look if you're in the area, though neither is assured to stick around. American White Pelicans, six of them, were last reported May 28 at Logans Landing, so they may have moved through already.
Semipalmated Sandpipers, seven individuals, were present at Logans Landing on June 3. These shorebirds are migrants pushing through the region, and the Boardman Lake system remains a reliable staging area for transient waders and plovers.
Breeding Season Specialists Settling In
Purple Martins, 15 of them, are clustered at the Clous and Schneider Roads wetlands as of June 4. This is prime habitat for that species in Grand Traverse County; colonial breeders are now in full territorial mode. The same wetland location has produced a Greater Yellowlegs on June 4 and five Killdeer on the same date, typical breeding season residents for that habitat type.
Cedar Hedge Lake has been turning in Blue Jays, Red-winged Blackbirds, and Common Grackles in the past few days. Boardman Lake to the south shows Mute Swans, 14 birds as of June 3, an invasive species that occupies prime nesting real estate and should be noted when encountered. Chimney Swifts, five of them, were reported June 4 from a Traverse City address at 112 East Twelfth Street, indicating breeding activity in town proper.
Weather and Timing Today
Rain showers are likely today with 65 percent chance of precipitation and a southwest wind at 10 miles per hour. Conditions may improve overnight and into tomorrow morning, with a chance of thunderstorms tonight but clearing northwest winds by Saturday. The dawn chorus window opens at 5:28 a.m. and remains active until 7:28 a.m., with sunrise at 5:58 a.m. This is peak dawn chorus season in early June at this latitude, and the southwest wind this morning will carry migrant warblers and vireos northward from lower Michigan. If you can get out before the rain intensifies, the pre-dawn hour should produce good singing activity despite the unsettled forecast.
Where to Bird Today
Boardman Lake, Logans Landing remains the hottest location in the county based on recent data, particularly for waterfowl and lingering migrants. If you want to chase the Greater Scaup or Common Goldeneye, that is the place to start. The site has 233 species on the all-time list. Alternatively, Old Mission Point Park and the adjacent Lighthouse Park deliver consistent gull and cormorant activity plus good coverage of transient shorebirds, with 209 all-time species recorded there. The Clous and Schneider Roads wetlands are underreported relative to their value; they are holding breeding Purple Martins and waders worth checking in the early morning before rain arrives.
Track live eBird reports and access the full county database at https://birding.chrisizworski.com.