Chris Izworski, reporting from Michigan, turns to Allegan County this morning as spring migration pushes into its second phase. The past two weeks have delivered 131 species across the county, with waterfowl dominating the counts and the first waves of warblers trickling in alongside resident species already establishing territories.
Waterfowl Still Concentrated on Lakes and Ponds
Ruddy Ducks remain the most frequently reported bird in Allegan County, with 45 individuals tallied at Dumont Lake Park as recently as April 19. This concentration reflects peak spring passage for the species in Michigan; birds are staging before moving to northern breeding grounds. The duck counts here are solid but not extraordinary for late April, which suggests the main flush may have already moved through or will arrive with cooler weather.
Redheads show similar patterns, with 32 birds at Gun River Aggregates gravel pit lake on April 19. That location remains restricted to public access, but the numbers there indicate good use of the open water habitat. Canvasbacks and Lesser Scaup are present in smaller numbers at the same site, typical for this stage of spring. Gadwall and Blue-winged Teal are showing at Allegan SGA Farm Unit, where 11 and 5 birds respectively were recorded on April 18 and 21. American Black Duck numbers remain modest at six birds, also from the Farm Unit on April 18.
Common Goldeneye at Miner Lake rounds out the diving duck picture, though numbers have been light. Red-breasted Mergansers at West Side County Park showed ten birds on April 21, indicating continued movement through the Kalamazoo River drainage system.
Shorebird Activity and Cranes at the Farm Unit
Pectoral Sandpipers are the standout shorebird species, with nine birds reported at Allegan SGA Farm Unit on April 21. This is the right time and place for them; the Farm Unit's shallow impoundments attract migrating shorebirds throughout spring. Water levels and mud exposure will determine how long they linger.
Sandhill Cranes continue to move through, with 17 birds tallied at Allegan SGA Farm Unit as of April 21. These counts represent staging and passing birds; they may move again overnight depending on wind direction and availability of suitable roosting habitat. Watch for them in the early morning at the Farm Unit or across the open agricultural areas nearby.
Early Warblers and Notable Rarities
Yellow-throated Warbler and Nashville Warbler have both appeared in the past 48 hours, both reported on April 20 at private locations. Yellow-throated Warbler is the more noteworthy record for Allegan County; while regular as a migrant in southern Michigan, it does not occur in high numbers. Nashville Warbler is expected on this timeline but worth confirming if encountered.
Brewer's Blackbird on April 21 at Rabbit River Nature Trail adds to the mix of migrants. Fish Crow at Douglas on April 20 is a routine early migrant, though always worth documenting given its range expansion. Gray Catbird from the same location on the same date follows the typical arrival pattern for the species. Chimney Swifts reported from Fairhaven Drive on April 20 represent exactly what should be happening now: the arrival of aerial insectivores that trigger the transformation of early spring into late spring.
A Redpoll at Bayview Drive Lake Allegan on April 20 indicates lingering wintering birds or very late migrants; redpolls are not numerous in Allegan County in late April but do occur at the tail end of their passage.
Gulls and Terns at the River Mouth
American Herring Gull and Caspian Tern numbers at the Kalamazoo River mouth remain consistent with typical April conditions. Thirty-five herring gulls on April 13 and six Caspian Terns on the same date reflect routine spring staging. These locations merit attention if waterfowl movements accelerate.
Rusty Blackbirds and Grackles
Rusty Blackbirds show twenty birds at Bysterveld County Park on April 18, a respectable count for this species during migration. They are often overlooked; careful listening in wet brush and early woodland will turn them up. Common Grackles have been recorded at the Farm Unit in small numbers, typical for the season.
Weather and Migration Outlook
Today calls for mostly sunny conditions, 75 degrees, with winds from the ENE at 5 miles per hour. Tomorrow pushes to 79 degrees with south winds developing. These are favorable conditions for continued northbound warbler movement, though the weak wind speed may not produce the volume of arrivals sometimes seen with stronger southerly flow. The slight chance of showers today is minimal and should not disrupt fieldwork. The extended day length, now at 13 hours and 39 minutes, puts dawn chorus in a productive window from 6:22 to 8:22 AM; early morning work will yield good coverage of resident songbirds alongside arriving migrants.
Where to Go Today
Allegan SGA Farm Unit remains the obvious choice given the diversity of waterfowl, shorebirds, and cranes concentrated there. Water management and habitat conditions make this site consistent for migration. Saugatuck Dunes State Park offers a different suite of habitat: dune scrub and early woods that should hold warblers as they arrive. The diversity potential at both locations justifies a visit given the season.
Full county data and the live eBird map are available at https://birding.chrisizworski.com.