Chris Izworski's daily Michigan birding report focuses on Houghton County this morning, where late August shorebird activity and early fall warbler movement are driving the count. With 140 species reported over the past two weeks, the county is showing solid diversity for this time of year, though the action is concentrated at a handful of reliable spots.
Shorebirds and Waterfowl at the Sewage Systems
The Calumet Sewage Lagoons remain the hotspot for shorebird and dabbling duck activity. Yesterday's report logged 30 Wood Ducks, 22 Killdeer, 20 Lesser Yellowlegs, and 10 Mallards at a single location. The lagoons offer the shallow-water habitat that shorebirds seek during fall migration, and with 196 species on the all-time list, the site justifies its reputation as the county's most productive patch. Ring-necked Ducks are also present in decent numbers, eight individuals counted on August 26. This is textbook late August staging habitat.
Lake Linden Sewage Ponds tells a different story, emphasizing waterfowl and swallows. Forty Cliff Swallows were seen there on August 21, and fifteen Hooded Mergansers appeared as recently as August 26. Eight Semipalmated Sandpipers showed on August 25, keeping the shorebird thread alive. Between the two sewage systems, a birder will find the bulk of Houghton County's reportable activity right now.
Notable Records: Golden Eagle and Flycatcher
The standout sighting from the past two weeks is a Golden Eagle recorded on August 23 at 11030 M-38 in Pelkie, on the southern edge of the county. This is a late-summer record worth noting, though Eagle sightings in the UP are becoming less shocking than they once were. More interesting to fall warblers enthusiasts is the Orange-crowned Warbler that appeared at Lake Linden Sewage Ponds on August 24. Orange-crowns are uncommon in Houghton County during migration, making this a legitimate alert-worthy report. Also flagged are two Olive-sided Flycatcher records from Big Traverse River Road on August 25, a species birders should watch for along wooded edges and river corridors during the next few weeks as migrants filter through.
The Red-headed Woodpeckers recorded at Keweenaw Park RA on August 16 suggest that location is worth monitoring; Red-heads are never reliably common in the UP.
Weather and Timing
Today's forecast is ideal for field work: mostly sunny, 70 degrees, light north wind at 5 to 10 mph, and only a 6 percent rain chance. The northerly wind is mild but could move a few birds around. More importantly, tomorrow will be even calmer with westerly winds at 0 to 5 mph and sunny skies at 72 degrees. If you are flexible, Friday morning may prove slightly better for locating stationary migrants. The dawn chorus window runs from 6:35 AM to 8:35 AM, giving a full two-hour window before light gets harsh.
Where to Go
Calumet Sewage Lagoons is the obvious choice today if shorebirds and diving ducks are the goal. The 20 Lesser Yellowlegs from August 26 remain the single most compelling reason to visit, alongside Killdeer and the chance at whatever has moved through in the past 24 hours. Lake Linden Sewage Ponds is the secondary option if you want to sample Hooded Mergansers and check the swallow congregations, which may include late migrants by week's end. Both sites are working sewage treatment areas; respect posted hours and facilities.
For a broader Houghton County experience, Nara Nature Park holds the all-time species record at 207 species and should be on every birder's list, though recent reports do not highlight specific activity there this week.
The ebird data from Houghton County remains moderate in volume; 140 observations over 14 days is solid but not exceptional, suggesting coverage gaps or a genuinely slower period. Late August often feels thinner than mid-August before the fall warbler flood. Check the live data and map at https://birding.chrisizworski.com for up-to-the-minute county information and full reporting details.