Chris Izworski's Michigan birding report turns to Ogemaw County this morning, where the last two weeks have produced 116 species across the region. Post-breeding season is settling in hard now, with warblers largely off the boil and the county's birding energy concentrated in specific pockets: breeding songbirds still vocal at key sites, early shorebird activity ramping up as we cross into mid-July, and the predictable clustering of late-summer species in grasslands and around water.
What's Moving Through Ogemaw Right Now
Rose-breasted Grosbeaks remain the story at Rifle River Recreation Area, with 15 individuals counted over the past two weeks and birds present as recently as July 11. This concentration at a single yard suggests a staging area or late-breeding aggregation. Common Mergansers, another Rifle River specialty, have been hanging around the water; nine counted with the most recent sighting on July 9. The Rifle River RA itself sits at 184 all-time species and continues to be the county's most productive hotspot by a wide margin.
Sparrows are the summer story in Ogemaw's open country. Clay-colored Sparrows have shown up in impressive numbers (13 individuals) at Black Road grasslands and wetlands, last reported June 28. Field Sparrows total 7 individuals at Beaver Lake Trail as of July 11. Savannah Sparrows, another 6 birds, also favor the Black Road site. These three species together give the county's grasslands real character in July. The Black Road grasslands and wetlands hotspot, with 168 all-time species, deserves serious attention if you can access it.
Wren activity persists at Black Road, where Sedge Wrens numbered 7 individuals as of late June. Red-eyed Vireos (6 birds) were present at Yankoski through July 11, and Nashville Warblers (6) remain active at Beaver Lake Trail. None of this represents peak activity, but it reflects what breeding and post-breeding birds are still doing territory work or local movement in mid-July.
Notable Records and Rare Sightings
A Northern Mockingbird at Berry Trail in West Branch on July 2 warrants a check if the bird is still present. Mockingbirds are not casual in northern Michigan, and any lingering individual should be documented. Pine Siskins, meanwhile, turned up on July 3 at Rifle River Trail yard (2 birds), which is noteworthy for July in the Lower Peninsula and suggests late nesting activity or early molt gatherings.
Today's Conditions and Recommendations
Today shapes up hot and clear: 86 degrees, sunny, negligible wind. This is not ideal for movement. The south wind (0 to 5 mph) will not push anything notable through; the calm conditions will tend to slow activity once the morning chorus window (5:32 to 7:32 AM) closes. Get out early if you're heading out. Sunrise is at 6:02 AM with nearly 15 and a half hours of daylight, so there is time, but post-dawn thermal activity will pick up fast under full sun and clear skies.
Tomorrow gets warmer still (94 degrees), with westerly wind 5 to 10 mph. That is neither here nor there for meaningful migration in mid-July, but the heat will suppress activity again by late morning.
For a focused morning outing, Rifle River Recreation Area remains the first choice. It has the most diverse habitat, the longest species list, and active staging birds including those grosbeaks. Black Road grasslands and wetlands, if accessible, is the secondary target; sparrows and wrens are concentrated there, and any early shorebird staging at adjacent wetlands would show up there first. Bring water. The heat and sun will be direct.
Ogemaw County is in the transition between breeding season and fall migration proper. Activity is down overall, species counts reflect that downturn, and real movement will not pick up meaningfully for another two to three weeks. The 116 species in 14 days is respectable for July but not explosive. This is a slow period, and serious birders know it.
Follow live eBird data and explore the full county hotspot breakdown at https://birding.chrisizworski.com.