Chris Izworski's daily Michigan birding report turns to Baraga County this morning, where waterfowl concentrations at the sewage ponds are the story right now. Over the past two weeks, eBird observers have logged 58 species across the county, with the Baraga Sewage Ponds emerging as the clear focus of activity. Mallards and Ring-billed Gulls are running neck and neck at 40 individuals each, followed by 20 Canada Geese, 18 Ring-necked Ducks, 15 Green-winged Teal, and 13 Buffleheads. This is what mid-October looks like in the UP: dabbling ducks and diving ducks staging hard before the inland waters lock down.
The Sewage Ponds Holding Everything
The Baraga Sewage Ponds account for the majority of waterfowl reports in the dataset, and for good reason. Sewage ponds maintain open water and attract concentrated food resources that draw migrants through fall. Beyond the headline dabbler and diver numbers, observers have picked up 10 American Black Ducks, 8 Common Mergansers, 8 Red-breasted Mergansers, 12 Lesser Scaup, and 7 Bonaparte's Gulls at the same location. That is legitimate waterfowl habitat. The most notable find in the past fourteen days has been 9 Cackling Geese at the ponds on October 17, a bird that merits attention in Michigan. Cackling Goose is annual in the state but spotty in distribution, particularly in the UP. Two more showed at Baraga Marina on October 8, suggesting the species is moving through the county and worth watching closely if you are out this way.
Upland Birds and the Rare Turkey Vulture
Away from water, the picture is thinner but includes some useful sightings. Horned Larks are present at Ojibwa Beach and Sand Point, with 10 individuals tallied as of October 13. Snow Buntings have shown up at the same location, 6 birds reported as recently as October 17. These are classic late-season shorebirds and tundra-edge species that belong in the UP in October, so the sightings come as no surprise. More interesting is a Turkey Vulture on US-41 near Lanse, reported on October 17. Turkey Vulture is not common in Baraga County in October; the species typically departs Michigan well before mid-month. A late or lingering individual warrants a note.
Red Crossbills remain in the county, with 8 individuals reported on October 5 along Fence River Road in the Michigamme area. Crossbill movements are unpredictable, but if conifers are seeding heavily in that part of the county, birds may linger or even settle for a time. Worth checking if you are working the interior hardwoods.
Weather and Timing Today
Sunday brings mostly sunny skies, 61 degrees at peak, and 15 mph southwest winds. That wind direction is not especially favorable for pushing migrants into the county, but it is warm enough that anything lingering from earlier in the week may still be active. Overnight temperatures will drop to 37 degrees, which may trigger a light push of nocturnal migrants if conditions shift. Tomorrow's forecast shows a wind shift to the north and much calmer conditions, which could set up a productive Monday morning if any night flight occurred tonight. The day length is now just 10 hours and 50 minutes, a marker of how far into the fall season we are.
Where to Go
If you are heading out to Baraga County today, the Baraga Sewage Ponds remain the logical choice. The concentration of waterfowl is genuine and the 195 all-time species list at this hotspot reflects its productivity. Watch for those Cackling Geese among the Canada Geese and dabbling ducks. For a secondary location, Ojibwa Beach and Sand Point offers the upland late-season sparrows and buntings along with a 207 all-time species list, and the walk is straightforward. The Sturgeon River Sloughs WA South Unit ranks highest all-time with 227 species, but late October can run quiet in the interior depending on what is moving through; if you have time for two locations, this would warrant an afternoon visit.
The waterfowl push is real. The Cackling Geese are worth verifying. Everything else is solidly predictable for the season. Check the live map and county data at https://birding.chrisizworski.com.