Chris Izworski, reporting from Michigan, turns to Menominee County this morning to check on what's moving through the Upper Peninsula as we settle into early July. The past two weeks have logged 112 species across the county, with the action concentrated at a handful of reliable hotspots. The headline right now is an Orchard Oriole that has been staking out Bird Haven through at least today, a species that does not breed commonly in Menominee County and warrants a detour if you are in the area and have access to that location.
Hayward Lake Holding Waterfowl and Terns
Menominee's primary inland waterbody continues to be the most productive reporting station. Hayward Lake near the town of Menominee has tallied 25 Mallards and 16 Wood Ducks over the past fortnight, with the most recent counts from June 25. That same hotspot has also produced four Black Terns, a species worth scanning for if you are working the marshes and shallow bays. Great Blue Herons are present, and a Black-crowned Night Heron was documented on June 25, suggesting that nocturnal wader traffic is active. A Willow Flycatcher on June 25 indicates that migrants are still filtering through, though at a slower pace than you would expect in May. Given today's mostly sunny conditions and southwest winds at 5 to 10 miles per hour, thermal activity will be moderate; the 90-degree heat might push birds toward shade and water by midday.
The Orchard Oriole at Bird Haven
The real story from the past four days is the Orchard Oriole that appeared at Bird Haven on June 29 and has been reported through July 2. This is a flagged sighting for good reason. Orchard Orioles are primarily eastern birds with spotty distribution across the northern Midwest, and a lingering individual in Menominee County in July is noteworthy. That same location has also held Baltimore Orioles at six individuals as of July 1, so the oriole situation warrants attention. Note that Bird Haven requires permission to access; contact ahead before making the trip. The spot has also produced Mourning Doves, Tree Swallows, Red-bellied Woodpeckers, Cedar Waxwings, and American Robins in recent days, suggesting it offers good mixed habitat for post-breeding assemblages.
Scattered Meadowlarks and Raptors
The central third of the county remains productive for grassland species. Eastern Meadowlarks, five individuals as of June 26, and American Kestrels, three individuals on the same date, indicate that open country south and west of the town of Menominee is worth a sweep if you are driving through on M-35 or local roads. American White Pelicans, three birds, were noted along M-35 near Stephenson on June 26, a reminder that waterbirds do wander into unexpected corridors in summer.
Late June Conditions and What to Expect
We are entering the lull period for Menominee County. Breeding-season activity has peaked; dawn chorus at first light from 5:34 to 7:34 a.m. will be present but muted compared to May. Shorebird migration does not fire up until mid-July, so expect reduced diversity over the next 10 days. The swallows are consolidating on wires and over marshes, a late-summer phenomenon that can yield flocks of Tree Swallows and other species if you catch them in the right spot at the right time. A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms tonight and tomorrow may dampen activity tomorrow morning, but today should be clear and warm enough to support routine field work.
Hotspot Recommendations
If you are heading into Menominee County today, start at Hayward Lake near the town of Menominee for ducks, herons, terns, and sparrows. Cedar River State Harbor, the all-time hotspot with 176 species on record, is your second choice if you want to expand the search to Lake Michigan shoreline and have time to explore coastal habitat. Both offer good late-morning viewing once thermals develop.
For the live map and full county data, visit https://birding.chrisizworski.com.