Chris Izworski's daily Michigan birding report turns to Bay County this morning, where the eBird feed shows 141 species tallied over the past two weeks with serious shorebird activity concentrated at Nayanquing Point and steady waterbird presence at Bay City State Park.
Shorebirds and Cranes at Nayanquing Point
The real work in Bay County right now centers on Nayanquing Point State Wildlife Area, which continues to deliver exactly what you'd expect from early August. Pectoral Sandpipers lead the count with 16 individuals logged through August 4; Lesser Yellowlegs sit at 12; Least Sandpipers at 13; and Short-billed Dowitchers at 7. These are the birds worth the drive. A Sandhill Crane flock of 12 was recorded August 3, so check the open areas and marsh edges for that species if they're still in the area. Most relevant to current conditions: a White-rumped Sandpiper appeared twice on August 1, so work through any Pectoral or Least flocks carefully. With shorebird season peaking and the northeast wind forecast for tomorrow, today's southwest flow at 7 to 10 mph may be your last good push of early migrants before conditions shift.
Bay City State Park's Egrets and Waterbirds
Bay City State Park Southern Shore Line has been the more accessible option for many county birders, and for good reason. The park hosted 12 Canada Geese, 13 Mallards, 12 Double-crested Cormorants, and 7 Great Egrets as of today. The notable sighting here involves Snowy Egrets, which appeared on August 2, August 1 (twice), and July 28 (twice). That's four separate dates with the species, suggesting the bird or birds are staging in the area. Check the shallow edges and spoil islands carefully if you visit the Southern Shore Line. The park also shows Purple Martins at 16 individuals, unusual numbers for early August, so they merit a look.
Grackle Concentration and the Rail Trail
A cluster of 40 Common Grackles at 5253 3 Mile Road in Bay City on August 5 represents a significant local gathering. The rail trail running from Bay County to Saginaw County added 12 Double-crested Cormorants through August 4, suggesting decent waterbird dispersal along the corridor. Song Sparrows logged 5 individuals there as well.
Weather and Timing
Today's forecast calls for 82 degrees with a 40 percent chance of rain showers and light southwest winds. Tonight brings showers and thunderstorms. Tomorrow shifts to 77 degrees with northeast winds at 3 to 8 mph. The northeast turn tomorrow will likely pull in more migrant warblers as we transition fully into fall movement; drab-plumaged birds dominate right now, but the abundance should be there. Nighthawk flights can occur on still evenings in August. Dawn chorus runs from 5:58 to 7:58 AM if you want to catch late-summer singing; the window closes by week's end.
Where to Go
Nayanquing Point remains the primary destination if shorebirds are your focus. The 274 all-time species count speaks to the diversity this site delivers year-round. Bay City State Park Southern Shore Line offers better accessibility and consistent waterbird numbers, plus the ongoing Snowy Egret situation warrants attention. Both are worth visiting today ahead of the overnight rain and tomorrow's wind shift.
Follow the live map and full county data at https://birding.chrisizworski.com