Chris Izworski, reporting from Michigan, turns to Marquette County this morning where the most striking numbers continue to come from an unusual congregation of American White Pelicans. The UP Health System-Marquette site near downtown has hosted 80 individual pelicans over the past two weeks, with the most recent sighting on June 26. That is noteworthy for an inland UP location and warrants attention if you are in the area, though the birds appear to be holding steady rather than fresh arrivals. Eighty pelicans at one point is not routine for Marquette County regardless of season.
Rarity Alert: Yellow-billed Cuckoo Today
The significant news this morning is a Yellow-billed Cuckoo reported today, June 29, at Hidden Creek Drive in Chocolay Township. This is a bird that requires attention. Cuckoos are skulking and irregular in Marquette County; a definite sighting in late June is worth chasing if you can reach Chocolay Township. The species is more common in southern Michigan and becomes scarce north of the Straits. Two Kirtland's Warblers have also been logged in the county in the past ten days: one at Lake LeVasseur on June 27 and another at Lake LeVasseur/Lake Kawbawgam on June 20. Kirtland's is always noteworthy, though the species does occur in suitable jack pine habitat in Marquette County during breeding season.
Breeding Warblers on County Road N 545 and Peshekee Grade
The dead hand in the data is the warbler activity centered on two main roads. Peshekee Grade has been productive: six Blackburnian Warblers, six Northern Yellow Warblers, six Swamp Sparrows, and five Black-and-white Warblers logged as of June 28. County Road N 545 has yielded 12 Savannah Sparrows, seven Cliff Swallows, and 13 European Starlings, most recently on June 28. These roads are clearly active breeding corridors. The presence of six Ovenbirds at Sporley Lake Road adds to the warbler suite typical of the county in late June. Breeding season is in full swing, and dawn chorus will peak early in the morning. Sunrise is 5:59 AM today, making the 5:29 to 7:29 AM window prime for catching singers before full light and heat.
Waterfowl on Lakes
Wood Ducks continue to hold at Provost Lake with 12 individuals last seen on June 25. Hooded Mergansers show six birds at Little Lake Road as of June 28. These are settled breeding birds, not migrants, and numbers should remain stable through early July. The south wind today at 10 to 15 miles per hour with temperatures reaching 84 degrees will not trigger any waterfowl movement; this is too warm and the wind direction is wrong for spring pushes. Any new arrivals today would be incidental.
Where to Bird Today
If you are heading out this morning, Presque Isle Park remains the county's most productive hotspot with 257 all-time species recorded there. The calm south wind and partly sunny conditions should allow for decent visibility along the shoreline and in the mixed woodlands. The park offers lake access and forest edge habitat in one visit. If you want warbler-focused birding, Peshekee Grade has been delivering: the most recent data there is fresh at June 28, and morning hours will catch birds in full voice before the high of 95 degrees tomorrow drives activity down. If you chase the Yellow-billed Cuckoo, do it early; cuckoos are vocal in early morning and silent by mid-morning heat.
Marquette County is showing 143 species in the past 14 days with solid breeding season activity. The pelican congregation and the Kirtland's sightings are the standout records; the cuckoo today is the fresh find worth pursuing. Check https://birding.chrisizworski.com for the live map and full county data.