Chris Izworski's daily Michigan birding report focuses on Mackinac County this morning, where the last two weeks have produced 126 species across 126 observations, with breeding season activity in full swing along the Upper Peninsula shorelines.
Herring Gulls Dominate the Waterfront at Pointe LaBarbe
Pointe LaBarbe continues to drive the county's birding activity. The location reported 500 American Herring Gulls as recently as yesterday, along with 11 Mute Swans, 7 Common Mergansers, and 23 American Redstarts. This concentration of larger waterbirds reflects the predictable patterns of breeding season along the Straits of Mackinac. The gull numbers remain substantial, though this is expected in late June when birds are settled into their territories and young are in various stages of fledging. Yesterday's counts of 24 Red-winged Blackbirds and 8 Common Yellowthroats round out a solid report from that hotspot, making it the county's most productive birding destination by far.
Warbler Activity and Recent Notable Records
The past two weeks have yielded several flagged sightings worth noting. A Yellow-throated Warbler appeared at Brevoort Lake CG on today's date, which stands out as unusual for this latitude in late June. That same species is typically a southern breeder, making any Michigan June sighting noteworthy. Earlier in the window, a Yellow-billed Cuckoo turned up at Round Island off Mackinac Island on June 16, and a Least Bittern was reported at Cedarville Bay on June 18. The bittern sighting is particularly significant for the county; breeding Least Bitterns are never guaranteed in the UP, and confirmation at Cedarville Bay suggests nesting habitat there remains viable. Two Purple Martins at Gamblers Bay on June 16 reflect the ongoing movement of this species during the breeding window.
Beyond those rarities, breeding warblers have settled in across the county. American Redstarts remain well represented with 23 individuals at Pointe LaBarbe. Northern Yellow Warblers and Chestnut-sided Warblers account for 6 and 5 birds respectively at the same location, standard for this time of year. Common Yellowthroat numbers at 8 individuals suggest breeding populations are active in marsh habitat.
Swallows and Terns Building Through Mid-Summer
Bank Swallows numbered 20 individuals at Mile 306 on June 25, with Barn Swallows at 10. These counts align with breeding season expectations; colonial nesters are active at nest sites through late June and into July. Common Terns showed 10 individuals at Days Inn as of today, and Ring-billed Gulls totaled 10 at the same location, indicating continued use of preferred waterside perches and fishing grounds.
Weather Favors Waterbird Watching Today
Today's forecast of mostly sunny skies, 64 degrees, and light 5 to 10 mile per hour southwest winds creates stable conditions along the shorelines. These calm southwestern winds are not aggressive enough to produce major push-through activity, but they are favorable for standard waterbird observation. The 1 percent rain chance means no weather disruption to fieldwork. Tomorrow will warm slightly to 72 degrees with potential for afternoon showers, but this morning and afternoon both favor getting out to the water's edge. With day length now at 15 hours 45 minutes, there is ample light from the 5:50 sunrise through the 9:34 sunset.
Where to Bird Mackinac County Today
Pointe LaBarbe remains the obvious choice for volume and variety. The location's 268 species all-time total and consistent recent activity make it the safest bet for a morning or afternoon outing. For birders wanting to pursue the flagged rarities or different habitat, Brevoort Lake CG warrants a visit given today's Yellow-throated Warbler report. Graham Point, with 232 all-time species, offers an alternative if you want to cover ground along different shoreline.
The 126 species reported across 126 observations over the past 14 days indicates moderate activity for late June. This is breeding season in Mackinac County, meaning territory-holding birds rather than passage migrants comprise most sightings. Early July typically sees slightly elevated activity as birds begin post-breeding dispersal, so this week marks a transition point in the county's annual cycle.
For the live map and full county data, visit https://birding.chrisizworski.com