Chris Izworski, reporting from Michigan, turns to Alpena County this morning, where the waterfowl buildup at Alpena Marina continues to dominate the recent activity. The past two weeks have logged 106 species across the county, with diving ducks and mergansers creating the most compelling numbers right now.
The Marina Waterfowl Concentration
Alpena Marina remains the hotspot of the moment. Common Mergansers lead with 54 individuals tallied over the past 14 days, most recently on October 10. Redheads follow closely at 52 birds, with the last count from October 13. These numbers reflect the predictable autumn pattern: as Lake Huron temperatures drop and ice begins forming, diving ducks and mergansers concentrate in open water before pushing further south. Greater Scaup, Surf Scoter, and Lesser Scaup round out the deep-water contingent, with 16, 11, and 10 birds respectively. A Common Goldeneye appeared on October 4, still a noteworthy sighting for this part of Michigan in early October. Today's light easterly winds at 5 to 10 miles per hour won't disrupt this congregation, though the 18 percent chance of rain showers may discourage midday visiting. The marina is worth checking at first light.
Lingering Warblers and Late Passerines
Yesterday brought two significant finds at Alpena Community College: a Red-eyed Vireo and a Magnolia Warbler, both flagged as notable on eBird. These birds represent the tail end of fall migration, stragglers caught in the gradual cooling trend. Earlier in the month, Washington Avenue Park produced a Northern Parula on October 3 and a Black-and-white Warbler on the same date. That park also recorded a Yellow-billed Cuckoo on October 3, well into the season for that species in the north. The Arthur E. Sytek Roadside Park and Alpena Bi-Path contributed another Black-and-white Warbler on October 2. These late passerines tend to linger near shore tangles and in woodlots with dense cover, moving through methodically as their energy reserves deplete. Tonight's rain showers may push more birds into visible spots tomorrow morning, though the northerly winds developing tomorrow will bring cooler air and potentially freshen migration activity.
Bay Activity and Dabbling Ducks
Isaacson Bay showed solid dabbling duck diversity with Green-winged Teal and Horned Grebe counts of 10 and 12 birds respectively, last recorded on October 11. The Horned Grebes are worth seeking; they tend to prefer deeper, open water compared to Pied-billed Grebes and can be missed if scanning is cursory. Washington Avenue Park logged Ring-necked Ducks at 12 birds on October 3, indicating decent dabbler staging over the past couple weeks. Alpena Community College continued the domestic waterfowl theme with 13 Mallards and 10 Canada Geese noted on October 14, supplemented by a handful of American Robins and Black-capped Chickadees, the latter surely breeding residents rather than migrants.
White-crowned Sparrows at the College
Alpena Community College served up 15 White-crowned Sparrows as of October 14, likely gathered in the landscaping and margins around campus buildings. This count suggests a modest fallout or concentration point for the species. White-crowneds are reliable sparrows through mid-October in the Lower Peninsula and persist even longer some years, so this concentration warrants a visit if sparrow identification work appeals to you.
Where to Go Today
If the rain holds off this morning, Alpena Marina offers the most productive birding, particularly in the first hour after sunrise. The waterfowl are concentrated and counts are high. If you prefer a quieter approach with fewer distractions, Isaacson Bay ranks as the county's best all-time spot at 222 species, though today's numbers there will likely be modest. The forecast shows only an 18 percent rain chance through midday, improving your odds for a clean morning visit.
Track live reports and access the full county data at https://birding.chrisizworski.com.