Chris Izworski, reporting from Michigan, turns to Wexford County this morning with a county that is seeing solid late-July activity across its wetlands and lakefront areas, though the two-week data reflects the quiet post-breeding reality of this season. One hundred five species have been reported in the past fourteen days, with starlings dominating the count at Cadillac Lakefront Park and a pair of notable sightings worth noting for anyone heading out today.
What's Moving Through Wexford Right Now
The county's waterfowl and shorebird picture is typical for late July: Canada Geese holding at Manton WWTP with 36 birds counted on July 18, Wood Ducks steady at Brandybrook Semiprimitive Area, and Killdeer and Spotted Sandpipers both present at the Manton facility. The Green-winged Teal sighting of three birds at Manton on July 18 is worth a second look if you work that location, as early shorebird and dabbler movement is underway. Common Loons remain on deeper water; the five birds reported at Hillcrest Drive in Boon on July 15 suggest breeding pairs are still in the area.
Warblers have gone quiet as expected for this time of year, but a Magnolia Warbler at Brandybrook on July 26 signals that southbound migrants are beginning to trickle through. This is early for Magnolia in Wexford and worth keeping on your radar when you work the county's brushy transition zones over the next few weeks.
Passerines and the Late-Summer Pattern
Breeding passerines remain present but subdued. Ruby-throated Hummingbirds continue at Arbutus Drive in Cadillac; four birds there on July 26 likely represent family groups post-fledging. Purple Finches are also holding at that same address with five individuals. The American Goldfinch count of eight at White Pine Trail SP staging area reflects the typical late-summer concentration of finches in weedy areas. Tufted Titmouse and Common Yellowthroat are both present at the White Pine Trail location, and these species will remain fairly vocal through August. Mourning Doves and Mallards are still using Cadillac Lakefront Park; the starling count of one hundred birds there on July 26 is the big feature but likely represents mixed flocks rather than a single sitting.
Weather and Today's Birding Window
A 68 percent rain chance with showers and thunderstorms likely today will keep the sky mostly overcast through the morning hours. Temperatures around 81 degrees by midday, with southwesterly wind at 10 miles per hour. The combination of cloud cover and warm south wind after yesterday's clearer conditions may briefly suppress activity, but the dawn chorus window from 5:53 AM to 7:53 AM should be decent if you can beat the rain. Tomorrow clears with northerly wind at 10 to 15 miles per hour, which could push a few warblers around, so if you miss today, Tuesday morning into afternoon may offer better movement.
Where to Focus
If you are working Wexford today despite the weather, Manton WWTP continues to produce the most consistent shorebird and waterfowl activity; the Green-winged Teal is reason alone to swing through. For a broader species search, MDOT Wetlands tops the all-time county list with 185 species recorded and should offer decent wader activity even with today's wet forecast. Brandybrook Semiprimitive Area is worth a visit if you are chasing the Magnolia Warbler sighting or looking for late breeding warblers and migrants in the understory.
The data from the past two weeks is solid but not exceptional; this is a quiet time of year in the county before fall migration ramps up in August. Shorebird movement is just beginning, and the bulk of warbler activity lies ahead.
For the live county map, recent reports, and complete species data, visit https://birding.chrisizworski.com.