Chris Izworski's daily Michigan birding report turns to Branch County this morning, where the past two weeks have delivered solid spring migration activity centered almost entirely on one location: the Kinderhook Sewage Lagoons. With 113 species reported over the last 14 days, the county is in the thick of warbler season, though the data suggests birders have been understandably focused on a single hotspot rather than spreading effort across the county's five other notable sites.
What's Moving Through Kinderhook
The Kinderhook Sewage Lagoons dominate the recent reports, and for good reason. Ring-billed Gulls top the count at 35 individuals as of May 10, with Canada Geese at 14 and Bonaparte's Gulls at 6. This is typical for a productive lagoon system in mid-May, but the more interesting numbers are the shorebirds and terns. Spotted Sandpipers are present at four individuals, and Least Sandpipers at four as well. The real news from Kinderhook is the pair of Black Terns recorded on May 10. Black Terns are spring migrants through Michigan and always worth noting; they should still be moving through for another week or two if conditions hold.
The swallow activity at Kinderhook has been exceptional. Tree Swallows lead at 14 individuals, with Barn Swallows at 6, Bank Swallows at 4, Northern Rough-winged Swallows at 4, and Purple Martins at 4. This concentration of aerial insectivores suggests good conditions for foraging and possibly nesting habitat that draws multiple species to the same wetland. Turkey Vultures at 6 individuals round out the raptors working the area.
Douglas Park, the second most-reported location in the county data, shows a different character. Wood Ducks dominate with 21 individuals as of May 10, suggesting breeding habitat or a staging area ahead of settlement into interior wetlands. This is worth a separate visit from Kinderhook if your interest leans toward waterfowl rather than shorebirds and gulls.
The Peregrine Falcon Factor
A single Peregrine Falcon was reported on May 2 at 498 Ridge Road in Quincy, marked as a notable sighting by eBird's filters. The location pins to the eastern side of the county near the Ohio border. Peregrines are increasingly regular in Michigan during migration and breeding season, so this is worth flagging but not surprising. If that individual is still in the area, it represents a predator presence that could influence waterfowl and shorebird behavior.
Weather and Migration Timing
Today's forecast calls for 67 degrees and partly sunny conditions with south winds at 10 to 15 miles per hour, holding only a 17 percent chance of rain. That south wind is the key detail. Southern winds in May push warblers and other passerines northward out of their wintering grounds, and Branch County sits directly in that flight path. With more than 14 hours of daylight now, the dawn chorus window this morning runs from roughly 5:53 AM to 7:53 AM; that is your window for catching resident breeders and newly arrived migrants singing before the heat of midday.
Tonight the forecast deteriorates: showers and thunderstorms are expected, with a cold push coming through by tomorrow. Tomorrow's high will only reach 53 degrees with northwest winds at 15 to 20 miles per hour. That pattern often parks birds along the county before conditions improve, making tomorrow afternoon potentially more productive than today if you can wait it out.
Where to Point Your Binoculars
Kinderhook Sewage Lagoons remains the obvious choice. The lagoon system has logged 178 species all-time and clearly has been the draw for recent birding effort. With Black Terns confirmed just two days ago and swallow activity strong, it warrants another visit. If you can access it before the showers begin this afternoon, the combination of partly sunny skies and residual south wind could push more migrants through.
Rotary Park deserves a secondary look if you want to spread your effort. With 139 species all-time, it is underbirdied relative to Kinderhook in the recent data. Coldwater Lake State Park, at 128 species all-time, could also be worth a morning circuit if you are interested in wooded migrants and singing breeders during the dawn chorus window.
The data shows consistent reporting from Kinderhook but sparse coverage elsewhere in the county over the past two weeks. That likely reflects where the best birds are concentrated right now, but it also leaves real opportunity at the secondary hotspots if you want less crowded birding and the chance to find something unreported.
For live updates and the full county checklist, visit https://birding.chrisizworski.com.