Chris Izworski's daily Michigan birding report turns to Missaukee County this morning, where the past two weeks have delivered a steady parade of post-breeding birds concentrated in the county's marshes and open farmland. With 77 observations across 77 species reported since mid-June, activity has been moderate but consistent, anchored by Bobolinks and Sandhill Cranes at Merritt Farm Fields, Black Terns over Reedsburg Dam, and the usual cast of summering songbirds in and around Weir Yard and the various dam impoundments.
Bobolinks and Grassland Birds Holding at Merritt Farm Fields
The signature story in Missaukee County right now is the Bobolink concentration at Merritt Farm Fields, where 21 individuals have been recorded over the past two weeks, most recently on June 23. This is the kind of reliable grassland gathering you expect from early July in the northern Lower Peninsula; birds are post-breeding and beginning to stage before southward migration ramps up in August. Seven Sandhill Cranes at the same location confirm that Merritt Farm Fields is the hotspot to target if you want to see what the county is actually producing. Savannah Sparrows, another grassland specialist, have been logged there as well, with seven individuals reported. Three Dickcissels and three Indigo Buntings round out the breeding songbird component; both species are present but not abundant in this part of Michigan.
The Bobolinks here are worth the drive alone. These birds are highly vocal in early breeding season but quieter as we move through July, so if you're heading to Merritt Farm Fields today, expect more observation than sound. Still, in grassland habitat like this, Bobolinks are usually visible in flight, and the sheer density of 21 individuals means you'll have good odds of connecting with them.
Reedsburg Dam: Black Terns and Waterbirds
Reedsburg Dam State Campground has checked in as the county's all-time leader with 164 species and continues to deliver in early July. The most recent reports from June 28 log six Black Terns over the impoundment, a species that breeds in scattered colonies across Michigan's northern wetlands and is always worth watching in flight. Eight Canada Geese and a mix of waterfowl activity typical of summer make this site worth a visit if you're in the area, though tern behavior will be your most interesting observation.
Black Terns skim low over open water, particularly in early morning, and their foraging flights can be fast and difficult to follow. The calm conditions forecast for early this morning, with north winds 0 to 5 miles per hour and a 40 percent chance of showers, may actually suppress activity; Black Terns tend to be more mobile in conditions with some atmospheric movement. That said, they're present at this site, and a dawn visit before any precipitation moves in would be your best bet.
Feeders and Weir Yard: Late Summer Assembly
Weir Yard and Feeders continues to register the typical assortment of common blackbirds and seed-eaters: eight Common Grackles, five American Goldfinches, three Brewer's Blackbirds, three House Finches, and three Brown-headed Cowbirds. This is the post-breeding period when mixed flocks of icterids and finches begin congregating on wires and at feeders before dispersal. The data here is less about rare or notable sightings and more about the general movement pattern of birds in mid-summer. If you're a birder who maintains feeders or lives near a feeder location, you're likely seeing similar aggregations.
Shorebird Migration on the Horizon
We are now at the edge of shorebird migration season in Michigan. Mid-July typically marks the beginning of southbound shorebird movement, particularly peep species and Least Sandpipers through our impoundments and mudflats. The dam sites listed for Missaukee County, particularly Cannon Creek Dam and Reedsburg Dam, should be monitored closely over the next two weeks for any early migrants. No flagged rare sightings have been reported in the county in the past 14 days, but the arrival of unexpected shorebirds or early fall vagrants is always possible as migration patterns accelerate.
Recommendations for July 4 Birding
If you're planning a Saturday morning in Missaukee County, make Merritt Farm Fields your primary target. The Bobolink concentration alone justifies the visit, and the grassland habitat will be most active in the first two hours after sunrise at 6:01 AM. Bring a spotting scope if you have one, as field birds often stay distant. Secondary option: hit Reedsburg Dam early before any thunderstorms develop this afternoon, and glass the water for tern activity. Conditions should hold until midday, then deteriorate as the front moves through.
Full county data and live eBird checklist map available at https://birding.chrisizworski.com.