Chris Izworski's daily Michigan birding report turns to Antrim County this morning, where waterfowl continue to dominate the reporting despite a warm front moving in ahead of today's rain. The past fourteen days have yielded 102 species and 102 observations, a solid spring showing driven almost entirely by activity on lakes Bellaire and Torch and along the Elk River system.
Waterfowl Still Moving Through
Bufflehead and Tundra Swan are the top-reported species in the county right now, each with eighteen individuals. The Buffleheads are concentrated at Cedar River Natural Area, where they were last documented on April 22. The Tundra Swans, meanwhile, were found on April 10 at US-31 near Elk Rapids, north of town at coordinates 44.90532, -85.40748. That sighting is now two weeks old, so those particular birds have likely moved on, but the corridor between Elk Rapids and the river system continues to funnel northbound waterfowl through the county. Greater Scaup are holding at Notewares Landing on Lake Bellaire with seventeen individuals as of April 17, and Lesser Scaup remain at Bellaire WWTP with ten birds seen on April 21. Common Goldeneye, never abundant this far north in spring, numbered nine at Milton Township Waterfront Park on April 19. These are classic late-April species for Antrim County; they're on their way to breeding grounds in Canada and will thin out rapidly once the warm-up settles in.
Lesser Black-backed Gulls at Alden Highway
The notable sighting here is the pair of Lesser Black-backed Gulls reported multiple times at Alden Highway on April 14. This is legitimate county news. Lesser Black-backed Gull remains uncommon in Michigan during spring migration, and two birds at once is worth a drive if you need to pad your county list. There is no more recent report from that location, but the species hangs around sometimes; it's worth checking Alden Highway if you're in the area.
Songbirds Arriving, Condition-Dependent
Red-winged Blackbirds have been recorded in good numbers at Bellaire, with fifteen individuals at 6497 Deer Path on April 23. The same location also tallied American Goldfinch, American Robin, Canada Goose, and Black-capped Chickadee, suggesting it is a reliable feeder or garden site. Ruby-crowned Kinglet, an early spring warbler proxy, has appeared at Grass River Natural Area with six birds noted on April 16. Bonaparte's Gull and Red-necked Grebe, both typical mid-April Antrim County finds, were logged at the Torch River overlook on April 14. Spotted Sandpiper has arrived; one was at Bellaire WWTP on April 19, right on schedule.
The species list is still weighted heavily toward waterfowl and early migrants. The wave of warblers that makes late April and early May so compelling is still building; the data reflect the transition period between peak duck season and peak songbird season.
Today's Conditions and Forecast
Showers and thunderstorms with a 77 percent rain chance and southeast winds at 5 to 15 miles per hour are forecast for today. This is not ideal dawn chorus weather. Sunrise is at 6:42 AM with a forty-minute dawn chorus window ending around 8:12 AM, but the moisture and wind will suppress song activity. Tomorrow is better: 56 degrees, mostly cloudy, and north winds only 5 to 10 miles per hour. That cold front will push some movement through the county overnight.
Where to Bird Today
If you must bird in the rain, Grass River Natural Area is the safest choice; it has logged 194 species all-time and continues to produce migrants. The warbler activity should begin in earnest by next week. Bellaire WWTP, with 142 all-time species and recent Spotted Sandpiper activity, is also solid for shorebird and gull checking in marginal weather. The larger lakes and river overlooks will be too wind-churned to work productively today; wait for tomorrow morning.
For live eBird data and the full hotspot map for Antrim County, visit https://birding.chrisizworski.com.