Chris Izworski's daily Michigan birding report turns to Alger County this morning, where waterfowl are the story and the Anna River mouth continues its season as the most productive stretch in the county. The past two weeks have yielded 91 species and 91 observations according to eBird reports, with a clear waterfowl focus that reflects the time of year and the advancing season across the Upper Peninsula.
Waterfowl Movement at the Anna River Mouth
The Anna River mouth near Munising is the dominant hotspot in reported activity right now, and for good reason. As of yesterday, October 12, the site held 50 American Herring Gulls, 28 Mallards, 15 Red-breasted Mergansers, 10 Northern Pintails, and 9 Redhea ds. That concentration of dabbling ducks and diving ducks in a single location reflects the push of colder weather down from Canada and the predictable funnel of waterfowl toward Lake Superior's accessible water before freeze-up. The north wind predicted for today at 5 to 10 miles per hour will continue to favor these gatherings along the shoreline.
Ring-necked Ducks have been staging at Au Train Lake, with 18 individuals reported on October 10. This species tends to linger longer than many other divers and often concentrates in protected inland water bodies during mid-October, making Au Train Lake worth a check if you are in the area.
Trumpeter Swans in the Hiawatha National Forest
The most significant waterfowl observation in the county this period came from the Chatham coordinates within Hiawatha National Forest, where 15 Trumpeter Swans were reported on October 11. These birds have been recolonizing the Upper Peninsula steadily over the past decade, and October staging along forest waterways before final southbound movement is standard for the species. Wood Ducks were also present at this same location, suggesting the site holds mixed dabbling duck habitat worth revisiting.
The Cackling Goose Question
The notable sightings flag has lit up for Cackling Geese at Bayshore Marina on October 10, with multiple reports of a single individual. A Cackling Goose was also noted at the Alger County Veterans Memorial on October 8. Separating Cackling from Canada Geese in the field remains one of the more demanding identification tasks in Michigan birding, but the persistence of this bird across two separate October dates in Alger County warrants documentation if you happen to have fresh eyes on the marina.
Late Warblers and Stragglers
A Blackpoll Warbler at Au Train Lake on October 10 represents the trailing edge of fall warbler migration through the county. This species typically pushes through the Upper Peninsula in early October, so this observation fits the seasonal window but signals that the main pulse is thinning. A Magnolia Warbler was also documented at Laughing Whitefish Point on October 5, underscoring that warblers are still moving through early in the month despite being past peak.
Eight Lapland Longspurs turned up at Munising Tourist Park Campground on October 9, a species that becomes increasingly common across the UP as October progresses and migrants replace summer residents on open ground and along disturbed areas.
Where to Bird Today
Conditions this morning favor early movement and staging. Sunrise at 7:59 AM allows a window until roughly 9:30 AM for any residual dawn activity, though the 60 percent rain chance and mostly cloudy skies suggest overcast conditions rather than clear skies. If you are working Alger County today, the Anna River mouth should remain the primary target given the documented waterfowl concentrations. The Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore complex, with 263 all-time species on record, has produced Rusty Blackbirds (25 individuals at Miners Castle on October 10) and Sanderlings (16 at Miners Beach on October 6), so either the lakeshore main drive or the Sand Point Marsh Trail remain viable secondary options if you want diversity.
For live maps and full county data, visit https://birding.chrisizworski.com.