Chris Izworski's daily Michigan birding report looks at Macomb County this morning, where the past two weeks have delivered solid activity despite a typical late-June slowdown in warbler movement. With 109 species reported over the past 14 days and clear skies forecast for today, the county's waterfront hotspots are worth your attention, particularly for the notable cormorant reports that have materialized at Lake St. Clair Metropark.
Waterfront Activity and the Neotropic Cormorant Story
The most significant news from Macomb County comes from Lake St. Clair Metropark, where Neotropic Cormorants have been reported consistently since June 23. Two birds showed up on the 23rd and have remained in the area through yesterday, the 26th. Neotropics are reliable but not abundant in Michigan during summer, and this lingering pair warrants a trip if you haven't connected with them yet. They'll be mixed in with the Double-crested Cormorants, which are far more numerous, but the smaller size and thinner neck of the Neotropic should separate it clearly once you have them in view.
Lake St. Clair Metropark continues to anchor waterbird activity across the county. Ring-billed Gulls dominate the numbers with 100 individuals counted at the Metropolitan Parkway location in Harrison Township, with most recent sightings through June 26. Common Terns, eight Double-crested Cormorants, and five Bald Eagles have also been working the same area. A Common Merganser appeared at Metro Beach on June 23, a bird worth noting for anyone making a mid-summer run through the park.
Shoreline Breeding Activity and Marsh Specialists
Harley Ensign Memorial Boating Access Site has hosted 47 Canada Geese and six Redheads through June 21, making it a secondary waterfront stop if you're working the county's eastern shore. Marsh Wrens are active at Lake St. Clair Metropark with five individuals reported as recently as yesterday, which aligns with expected breeding season activity in emergent wetland habitat around the park's perimeter.
Inland, Casa de Simon 2.0 has produced more typical breeding season birds: 10 American Robins, nine Red-winged Blackbirds, five Mourning Doves, and the usual complement of House Sparrows and European Starlings. Eastern Bluebirds registered seven individuals near Romeo on June 21, suggesting nesting activity in that area of the county. Seven Wild Turkeys were reported from Chesterfield Township SGA on June 26, confirming continued presence in the agricultural interior.
Weather and Timing for Saturday
Today's forecast is straightforward: mostly sunny skies, 79 degrees, light ENE wind at 7 miles per hour, and virtually no rain chance. The long day length, 15 hours and 19 minutes, keeps the countryside open and accessible. If you're hoping to hear breeding season vocalizations, the dawn chorus window runs from 5:55 AM through 7:25 AM, though you should expect a reduced chorus compared to earlier June. Late June breeding activity is more about confirming presence than finding migrants; the big warbler pushes have finished, and what you're hearing now are residents on territory.
The calm conditions and clear skies make for easy scanning of open water. Waterfowl numbers are stable but not exceptional for this season, and the light ENE wind won't push anything unusual in from Lake St. Clair. This is steady-state June birding rather than a dynamic movement day.
Where to Go
If you're heading out to Macomb County today, start at Lake St. Clair Metropark to track down those Neotropic Cormorants while they're still present. The park's all-time species total of 293 reflects its position as the county's most productive location, and the waterbird diversity there justifies the trip. Bring a scope for the gulls and cormorants; the distance from shore can be considerable. Secondary options include Stony Creek Metropark (north or south), which has recorded 241 and 252 species respectively and offers interior habitat for breeding songbirds if the waterfront feels saturated with observers.
Follow live updates and explore the full dataset at https://birding.chrisizworski.com for the interactive county map and detailed sighting locations.