Chris Izworski, reporting from Michigan, turns to Gogebic County this morning after 155 species have been logged across the western Upper Peninsula over the past two weeks. The sewage pond circuit is driving activity right now, with Wood Ducks reaching 15 individuals at Bessemer and shorebirds like Semipalmated Sandpipers holding steady at 11 birds through late May. This is breeding season at peak intensity; dawn chorus peaks in early June across the county, and the 15-hour-36-minute day length means serious birders have genuine darkness for only a few hours each night.
Sewage Ponds and Wetland Birds
The Bessemer Sewage Ponds continue to anchor the action. Wood Ducks and Hooded Mergansers are present in good numbers, with 15 and 7 individuals respectively documented through June 1. Tree Swallows and Bank Swallows are foraging over the water; 10 and 4 birds respectively. The shorebird window may be tightening for the season, but 11 Semipalmated Sandpipers are still present as of May 26. Wakefield sewage lagoons, the third-ranked hotspot all-time with 158 species, delivered a notable find: 4 Wilson's Phalaropes on May 31. That is the kind of sighting worth revisiting that location. The Ramsey Sewage Lagoons along the Iron Belle Trail held 3 Northern Shovelers as recently as May 30.
That Western Kingbird Hybrid
The significant anomaly in the data is the Western Kingbird x Scissor-tailed Flycatcher hybrid at Bale Lane on May 25. That record appears seven times in the eBird flagged sightings, which suggests either seven separate submissions of the same bird or a documentation quirk, but either way, this is a vagrant configuration worth noting. Bale Lane has already produced 145 all-time species and remains one of the county's most reliable locations. If the hybrid is still present, it would be the stand-out find in Gogebic right now.
Breeding Specialties and Forest Birds
Bobolinks are in at Bale Lane, 3 birds as of May 31. Sedge Wrens likewise; 5 individuals on the same date. These are the breeding season markers. Powers Road, running from Bald Mountain Overlook toward Lake Superior, has produced 4 Black-throated Green Warblers and 4 Turkey Vultures recently. This road transect is a reliable point for accessing higher-elevation forest and the larger landscape view. Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are present; 3 birds reported from Mountain View Road on June 1. Alder Flycatchers have settled in across wetland margins; 3 birds from Bonnie Road on the same date.
Weather and Timing
Today's forecast calls for 79 degrees, a 39 percent chance of rain showers, and southwest winds at 10 miles per hour. Tonight brings a more serious threat: showers and thunderstorms. Tomorrow pushes to 81 degrees with continued rain chances. This southwest flow is mild and could be pushing late migrants north, but the approaching precipitation system is worth monitoring. If you are heading out this morning, sunrise is 6:08 AM, and the dawn chorus window runs until about 7:38 AM. That is your prime window, and with overcast conditions settling in, vocalizing birds should be active.
Where to Go
For a Thursday morning visit, Bessemer Sewage Ponds remains the safest bet for multiple species and open water access. It has logged 160 all-time species and is producing documented sightings daily. If you want to take a chance on finding that Western Kingbird hybrid or connecting with breeding Bobolinks and Sedge Wrens, Bale Lane is the second option; it is considerably more open and vulnerable to weather but offers more habitat variety. Black River Harbor, the all-time leader at 173 species, is worth a longer drive if you have the time and want to work the Lake Superior shoreline for shorebirds or gulls.
Follow the live eBird map and full county data at https://birding.chrisizworski.com.