Chris Izworski's daily Michigan birding report turns to Alger County this morning, where the past two weeks have delivered solid post-breeding activity across the county's lakes, marshes, and shoreline. The eBird data from the last 14 days tells a story of late-summer congregation and early shorebird movement, with 122 species logged and 122 observations recorded. The numbers favor waterfowl and swallows, with some notable shorebird visitors working the beach.
Swallows and Waterbirds Dominating the Count
Cliff Swallows continue their late-summer buildup, with 40 individuals tallied at Cozy Cottage as recently as July 23. This is the time of year when swallows gather on wires and over open marshes before departure; if you're heading out, scan any likely structure or marsh margin for congregations. The secondary swallow story here is Bank Swallows, five recorded at Pictured Rocks NL back on July 16, a good reminder that these birds will be moving through and disappearing quickly over the next month.
Waterfowl numbers remain healthy. Wood Ducks lead at 32 individuals from the Chatham Sewage Lagoon as of July 26, which makes sense for this time of year when broods are still on water and birds use shallow lagoons for feeding and loafing. Canada Geese check in with 17 from Au Train Beach on July 28. The merganser activity is more interesting: three separate merganser species are in the data. Common Mergansers, eight birds at Au Train Lake on July 26; Red-breasted Mergansers, ten at Au Train Beach on July 19; and Hooded Mergansers, five at Au Train Lake on July 26. All three on the same lake system is worth noting for anyone working these areas.
Shorebirds and Rare Visitors
The shorebird migration is in motion. Semipalmated Sandpipers, five birds from Au Train Beach on July 17, are exactly what you'd expect in late July; these birds move fast and the count is probably higher by now. The rare flags here are worth attention. A Wilson's Phalarope turned up at Au Train Beach on July 27, a bird not expected in every Alger County summer; if you haven't seen it, it may still be working the shoreline. A Baird's Sandpiper was at the same location on July 17; that's a solid record for the county. Au Train Beach continues to prove itself as the county's shorebird hotspot.
Warblers and Forest Birds
Warblers have quieted considerably, as expected in late July. The notable record is ten Black-and-white Warblers from Pictured Rocks NL at Miners Beach on July 25, suggesting either local breeders or early migrants. Pine Warblers, four birds also from Miners Beach on July 25, are resident here. Overall warbler activity is light compared to spring, which is the norm.
Purple Finches remain present with ten from Cozy Cottage on July 27, suggesting breeding activity or post-breeding congregation in the pines. Cedar Waxwings, five at Au Train Lake on July 28, are in the late-summer pattern of fruit-chasing and pre-migration building.
Weather and Conditions Today
Today looks optimal for field work in Alger County. Sunrise is at 6:22 AM with a dawn chorus window running to 7:52 AM, giving a full 2-hour window for any early activity. Conditions are sunny, 78 degrees at midday, with virtually no wind and only a 3 percent rain chance. This is not a front-pushing day for shorebird activity, but it is ideal for working shorelines and open marshes without struggle. The south wind tomorrow at 5 mph will be meaningless for these latitudes, but tonight's clear conditions and tomorrow's sunny pattern should keep the current birds stable.
Where to Point Your Glass
Au Train Beach and Au Train Lake remain the county's hottest zones right now, with the beach handling shorebird records and the lake hosting the merganser congregation. Pictured Rocks NL, the county's all-time species leader with 263 species recorded, is worth a morning visit for warblers and forest birds, though don't expect the activity you'd see in May. Chatham Sewage Lagoon holds the Wood Duck concentration and should be productive if you can access it legally; confirm access before driving out.
For live eBird data and a detailed hotspot map of Alger County, check https://birding.chrisizworski.com.