Chris Izworski's daily Michigan birding report turns to Clinton County this morning, where 148 species have been logged over the past two weeks and several notable sightings have emerged as the spring warbler wave continues through the southern Lower Peninsula.
Cerulean Warblers at Rose Lake and Peacock Road
The standout news from Clinton County is the string of Cerulean Warbler reports concentrated around Rose Lake SWA and Peacock Road north of Clark Road. eBird has flagged four records from May 22 and 23, with two sightings at each location. Cerulean Warblers are genuine finds in Michigan, and their presence in the county during late May aligns with peak northbound migration timing. Rose Lake SWA holds a 207-species all-time list, making it a reliable warbler hotspot, and if conditions remain favorable with calm mornings and warm days, other migrants should be moving through the same areas. The positioning of these sightings on the Peacock Road corridor suggests local birders have locked onto productive habitat worth revisiting.
Two Western Cattle-Egrets at North Wacousta Road south of Kinley Road on May 13 represent another notable record, though those sightings are aging out of the immediate window. The species remains uncommon in Michigan even during peak season.
Waterfowl and Cormorants Along the Rivers
Double-crested Cormorants dominate the recent count data with 24 individuals logged at Old State Highway 78 in Haslett. This concentration suggests a staging or roosting area worth investigating, particularly for anyone working mixed waterbird flocks. Ring-necked Ducks have appeared twice at Clinton Lakes County Park in the past two weeks, with the most recent on May 21. While neither species is unusual for late May, the cormorant numbers indicate productive water habitat in the northern part of the county. Trumpeter Swans are also present at Corey Marsh Ecological Research Center, a site with 225 all-time species and the strongest track record in the county.
Shorebirds and Flycatchers Active
Spotted Sandpipers have been recorded five times at Clinton Lakes County Park within the past week, suggesting nesting or pre-breeding aggregations along the shoreline. Late May is typical timing for sandpipers to establish territories at inland lakes and ponds. Great Crested Flycatchers and Eastern Wood-Pewees are both present at Sleepy Hollow State Park at Lake Ovid, along with Baltimore Orioles in smaller numbers. Sleepy Hollow carries a 208 all-time species list and remains the second strongest hotspot in the county behind Corey Marsh.
Weather and Timing for May 27
Today's forecast calls for mostly sunny skies, 84 degrees, and minimal wind from the north at 1 to 7 miles per hour. Those calm conditions and abundant sunshine favor activity across open water and marshes but may suppress dawn chorus intensity compared to overcast mornings. Sunrise is at 6:05 a.m., giving birders a 14-hour day to work with. Tonight brings a chance of showers and thunderstorms, which could trigger additional warbler movement tomorrow morning. Tomorrow's forecast shows 73 degrees and sun with moderate northeast wind, also productive conditions for visible migration or ground coverage of breeding species.
Where to Go
Birders with morning availability should prioritize Corey Marsh Ecological Research Center for the strongest upland and marsh mix, or Rose Lake SWA if Cerulean Warblers remain the target. Both sites have produced consistent spring numbers and hold reliable habitat for late-May migrants still filtering through. The 148-species count over 14 days suggests steady reporting activity but not exceptional volume, so coverage remains somewhat spotty and sightings are likely to cluster around known hotspots.
Check https://birding.chrisizworski.com for the live map and full county data.