Chris Izworski's daily Michigan birding report focuses on Charlevoix County this Monday morning, where a fresh northerly wind and dropping temperatures are moving waterfowl into the county's coastal and inland waters. The 14-day snapshot shows 85 species tallied across the county, with counts heavily weighted toward ducks, geese, and gulls staging for the winter migration.
Waterfowl Building Along the Lakeshore
The numbers tell the story. North Point has become the reliable staging area, with 30 Ring-billed Gulls, 20 Redheads, 16 American Wigeons, 15 American Herring Gulls, 14 Mallards, 10 Red-breasted Mergansers, and 12 Snow Buntings all logged in the past two weeks. The most recent sighting there was October 25, meaning the activity is current. Fisherman's Island SP holds 103 Canada Geese and nine Northern Pintails, also checked yesterday. With today's northerly wind at 10 mph and temperatures only reaching 50 degrees, this pattern will hold and likely strengthen. Waterfowl responding to cold fronts move south and west, concentrating in the relatively ice-free waters off the Charlevoix shoreline.
The Beaver Island Ferry Crossing merits a mention as well. The 1.5-hour crossing logged 10 Red-necked Grebes on October 19, and that transit route offers a second window into what is moving through offshore. The crossing itself can produce seabirds that never touch land, so ferry trips remain worthwhile during this season.
Notable Sightings and Rare Birds
Three notable records flag attention. A Baird's Sandpiper at North Point on October 25 is the standout; this species is uncommon in the county even during fall migration, and its presence at a preferred staging area makes it worth a targeted search if winds hold north and the bird has not moved. Two Field Sparrows were noted at Railroad Street on October 19, a find that suggests at least limited lingering of late-migrating grassland species. A Cackling Goose appeared near downtown St. James on October 17, another record worth noting as Canada Geese dominate the county goose reports by a wide margin.
Passerines and Bluebirds
Eastern Bluebirds continue to show well, with 28 individuals at Little Sand Bay Nature Preserve on October 20. This species often lingers into November in Charlevoix County if weather permits, and they are predictable at the same locations week after week. American Pipits numbered 30 at Lavender Hills Farm on October 17, though no recent updates have come in from that site. The combination of 103 Canada Geese, 90 Common Grackles, and 20 Red-winged Blackbirds spread across Fisherman's Island SP and Beaver Island suggests that these waterbirds and marsh species are still present, though Grackle and Redwing counts tend to drop sharply after late October.
Where to Bird Today
The weather supports a waterbird-focused strategy. North Point delivers consistent sightings and remains the hotspot of choice for the immediate future. Fisherman's Island SP, with 233 species on the all-time list, offers both open water and shoreline habitat and should hold geese, Pintails, and the usual scanning opportunities. The mostly sunny conditions and calm wind should provide stable visibility for scanning distant waterfowl and picking out rarer ducks among the flocks.
The 10-hour daylight is contracting rapidly, and dawn chorus has largely ceased by this point in the season. Sunrise comes at 8:10 AM, sunset at 6:39 PM; this narrow window demands early starts for any attempt at passerine work, though the calendar and species composition suggest passive observation and waterfowl focus are the practical priorities.
For live updates, current counts, and the full county hotspot map, visit https://birding.chrisizworski.com.