Chris Izworski's daily Michigan birding report turns to Chippewa County this morning, where the past two weeks have delivered a steady stream of spring migrants and late-season waterfowl holding on Lake Superior. The eBird data from the past 14 days shows 200 species reported across the county, with activity concentrated at Whitefish Point and the scattered inland wetlands that still hold shorebirds and swallows.
Lake Superior Waterfowl: The Merganser Show
Red-breasted Mergansers dominate the recent counts at Whitefish Point with 42 individuals reported as of yesterday. This is classic late May behavior for the species; they're still staging on the big water before dispersing to breeding grounds farther north and inland. American Herring Gulls number 35, also at Whitefish Point, and Long-tailed Ducks linger at 25 birds, suggesting the cold water offshore is still holding late migrants. Yesterday's reports also turned up 8 Greater Scaup, 5 Surf Scoters, and 4 White-winged Scoters at the same location. The east wind forecast for today at 5 to 10 mph may help keep these birds from pushing too far north just yet.
American White Pelicans are a different story. Thirteen were reported at Whitney Bay on May 16, which is a significant concentration for Chippewa County. These birds are genuine vagrants to the Upper Peninsula in May; they should be noted if you can reach that location.
Inland Wetlands: Shorebirds and Early Warblers
The Pickford Sewage Lagoons continue to deliver, though access is limited to roadside viewing. Tree Swallows number 20 as of yesterday, the highest count for that species in the two-week window. Lesser Yellowlegs and Least Sandpipers are present in modest numbers; 15 and 7 respectively reported on May 16. Short-billed Dowitchers, five birds on May 15, suggest the shorebird window is still open, though the window is narrowing fast as we move deeper into May.
Magnolia Warblers, five reported at Vermillion Point Nature Preserve on May 16, signal that the warbler wave is indeed moving through. This is the first heavy warbler activity in the data; by late May, the bulk of species should have passed through Chippewa County or be settling into breeding territories. Tomorrow's southerly wind at 10 to 15 mph could push more birds north, provided the thunderstorm chance does not cloud things out.
Rarities and Unexpected Guests
Eurasian Tree Sparrows at Whitefish Point are the story here. Five birds were reported on May 16, with earlier reports of four on the same date. This is a genuinely rare sighting for Michigan; Eurasian Tree Sparrows are vagrants to North America, and a flock of five at one location in Chippewa County is worth the drive for any serious county lister. The Harbor of Refuge area at Whitefish Point also produced a Yellow-headed Blackbird on May 16, equally noteworthy for the region.
A White-crowned Sparrow of the Gambel's subspecies was documented at Whitefish Point on May 16. Gambel's is a western bird, and inland or coastal sightings of this subspecies are flagged as notable by eBird. A Wood Thrush at Tahquamenon Falls Rivermouth SP on the same date is less unusual for mid-May but still worth confirming if you are in that area.
Conditions and Recommendations
Today's forecast calls for partly sunny conditions with isolated showers and an east wind of 5 to 10 mph. The chance of rain is only 17 percent through the daylight hours, making it acceptable for fieldwork. Sunrise is at 6:03 AM and the dawn chorus window extends to 7:33 AM, providing a solid two-hour window for catching migrants at their most vocal. Tonight's chance of showers and thunderstorms will move through after dark.
If you are heading out in Chippewa County today, Whitefish Point remains the highest priority. The recent waterfowl activity, the Eurasian Tree Sparrow flock, and the general migrant concentration make it the focal point. If you have time and patience for roadside views of the Pickford Sewage Lagoons, the shorebirds and swallows there are still worth the effort. Vermillion Point Nature Preserve offers a quieter option for Magnolia Warblers and other spring songbirds.
Check https://birding.chrisizworski.com for the live map and full county data.