Chris Izworski's daily Michigan birding report focuses on Newaygo County this morning, where the past two weeks have delivered a solid run of grassland species and some genuinely noteworthy sightings tied to what appears to be exceptional Dickcissel activity.
Dickcissel Influx at Poplar and 13 Mile
The news in Newaygo County right now is unambiguous: N. Poplar Ave. at 13 Mile has hosted repeated Dickcissel reports since July 2, with at least eight documented sightings over the past week. The most recent push came on July 8, when two birds were reported together, following single-bird sightings on the 4th and 2nd. This is the kind of activity that warrants a dedicated morning if you can get out. Dickcissels remain rare enough in Michigan that multiple birds holding in the same area for a week represents genuine news. The grassland habitat at that location is clearly attractive, and early July timing suggests these may be birds responding to local breeding opportunity or simply pausing during a broader dispersal event. Either way, if you have not worked this spot yet, today presents a reasonable window before the pattern potentially breaks.
Grassland Birds Concentrating
Beyond the Dickcissel story, N. Poplar Ave. at 13 Mile is functioning as a primary gathering point for open-country species. Red-winged Blackbirds dominate the count with 25 individuals as of July 8; Bobolinks have been recorded at 13; Eastern Meadowlarks at 5; Eastern Kingbirds at 4; and Mourning Doves at 4. This clustering of grassland generalists and specialists in one location suggests robust habitat and possibly birds staging or consolidating post-breeding flocks. The Bobolink presence is particularly worth noting, as those birds can be transient and hard to pin down by late summer. If the Dickcissels are present again today, they will likely be among or near these same flocks.
Waterfowl and Grebes on the Muskegon River
The Muskegon River near the Pine St. boat launch continues to hold waterfowl worth checking. Canada Geese lead with 30 individuals recorded on July 4; Common Mergansers were at 12; Great Blue Herons at 4; and Rock Pigeons at 12. The merganser presence is routine for that stretch of river, but it reflects the stable water conditions that support regular rafting and nesting of diving ducks. Water levels and flow can shift quickly, so if you are working that boat launch, note baseline conditions for comparison on return visits.
Pied-billed Grebes have been reported at 3484 East 13 Mile Road in Paris at a count of 10 as of July 4. That location sits at 43.743, -85.716 and appears to be a productive inland pond or wetland complex. Ten grebes suggest good water quality and marsh habitat. Wood Ducks are being reported at The Bear Den as well, with 5 individuals on July 6.
Weather and Timing Considerations
Today brings a 65 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, temperatures reaching 80 degrees, and light westerly winds of 3 to 8 mph. Dawn chorus window runs from 5:40 AM to 7:40 AM, compressed by overcast conditions but still viable. The storms may suppress activity mid-day, but morning birding, especially targeted work at N. Poplar Ave. at 13 Mile before 8 AM, could yield results. Friday clears to sunny conditions at 83 degrees with light northeast wind: better overall conditions but possibly less favorable for morning bird activity due to improved visibility favoring your targets as well.
We are now squarely in post-breeding season. Warblers are quiet and dispersed; shorebird migration begins in earnest next week. Late-summer aggregations of swallows are starting to form on wires and over marshes. The ebird data shows 114 species reported in the past 14 days across 114 observations, a respectable if not explosive count for mid-July in the Northern Lower Peninsula.
Recommended Hotspots
If you have time for a longer outing, Croton Dam (156 species all-time) and Loda Lake Wildflower Sanctuary (131 species all-time) remain the county's most reliable general destinations. Both offer diverse habitat and should hold a good mix of summer residents and early migrants. However, if the Dickcissels are your target, commit to N. Poplar Ave. at 13 Mile first, arrive early, and work the grassland edges methodically.
Find live eBird maps and full county data at https://birding.chrisizworski.com