Chris Izworski's daily Michigan birding report focuses on Chippewa County this morning, where shorebird season and early fall warbler passage are overlapping across the Upper Peninsula's northeastern reach. The past two weeks have delivered 147 species across the county, a respectable mid-August showing driven largely by waterbird concentrations at Whitefish Point and scattered landbird activity inland.
Waterbirds Dominating Whitefish Point
The numbers tell the story at Whitefish Point, where gulls, cormorants, and mergansers are stacked up along the shoreline. Ring-billed Gulls lead with 33 individuals counted through this morning, most recently at West Sandy Lane. Double-crested Cormorants number 30, and both Common and Red-breasted Mergansers are present in significant numbers: 18 and 11 individuals respectively, with the Common Mergansers concentrated at the northernmost reaches of Whitefish Point Road in Paradise. These waterbird aggregations are typical for August, when local breeding is wrapping up and migrants begin staging for departure.
Shorebirds are active but scattered. A Stilt Sandpiper was documented on August 12 at DI Harbor Island Reef, marking a rare record for Chippewa County. Dunlin are present in smaller numbers, six counted at Whitefish Point through August 10. The calm forecast for today, with northwest winds only 5 to 10 mph and sunny conditions at 75 degrees, should hold shorebirds in place without pushing new arrivals, though migration pressure remains low for another few days.
Inland Warblers and Fall Migrants
Fall warbler migration is underway in earnest. Yellow-rumped Warblers are the leading edge, with eight birds at CCC on August 13. This is precisely on schedule; Setophaga coronata moves south earlier than most other warblers and will remain common through September. White-throated Sparrows are similarly abundant at eight individuals on North Preachers Road, also predictable for this date. Cedar Waxwings, six at CCC, are opportunistically feeding on whatever fruit remains available. Barn Swallows continue with 15 birds at CCC, typical of late summer when juveniles are still learning to forage.
Winter Wrens at five individuals suggest the breeding population is still present at Monocle Lake Campground, not yet fully migrated. Savannah Sparrows show eight birds at Munuscong WMA Potholes, useful for separating from White-throats at distance.
Notable Records and Upland Birds
Two flagged rarities deserve attention. Red Crossbills, type 2 or Ponderosa Pine, numbered six at North Preachers Road on August 10. These birds are irregular visitors to the UP; their presence suggests food availability in the local spruce stands and warrants repeat visits to that location. More reliably, Spruce Grouse have been holding at North Preachers Road with five birds seen August 12. This is the heart of Spruce Grouse country in Chippewa County, and the road should remain productive through the season for anyone targeting that species.
Red-shouldered Hawks were noted at four individuals on August 8 at Whitefish Point, earlier in the season than typical; this may reflect local breeding activity or early migrant passage. American Kestrels maintain a presence with five at Munuscong WMA. Wild Turkey continues with a group of 12 counted August 7 at Delirium Wilderness, a reliable location for that species.
Where to Bird This Morning
Whitefish Point remains the top choice for effort-to-return ratio. The waterbird concentrations are substantial, the shorebird potential exists despite the calm conditions, and the point's legendary migration-tracking history means coverage is reliable. The 348 all-time species from this location speaks for itself. Munuscong WMA, particularly the Potholes, offers a different habitat profile with sparrow activity and upland species access; it has accumulated 216 species and sits less than an hour's drive west.
Today's weather favors early morning activity. Sunrise is at 6:33 AM with the dawn chorus window extending to 8:03 AM. The sunny forecast means afternoon heat will suppress activity. If targeting shorebirds or warblers, be out by first light. The forecast holds through tomorrow with similar conditions, so any missed morning slot can be made up Friday morning before the weekend arrives.
For the live eBird map and full county data, visit https://birding.chrisizworski.com.