Chris Izworski's daily Michigan birding report focuses on Branch County this morning, where the data shows a county in the thick of late summer shorebird passage and early fall warbler movement. The eBird observations from the past two weeks tell a clear story: Kinderhook Sewage Lagoons is running the show, and if you are working Branch County today, that is where your time should go.
What is Moving Through Kinderhook Right Now
Kinderhook Sewage Lagoons has dominated the recent eBird activity with 69 total observations logged in the past 14 days, and the breakdown is revealing. Barn Swallows lead the count at 57 individuals as of August 7, followed by 36 Killdeer, 23 Tree Swallows, and 20 Mallards. These are the bones of what an active late-summer lagoon complex looks like in southern Michigan: shorebirds using the exposed substrate, waterfowl dabbling, swallows working the air space. The 12 Bank Swallows recorded there indicate some good aerial insect activity, and the handful of Chimney Swifts doing likewise suggest evening flight conditions have been favorable.
The notable news from Kinderhook is the recurring Ring-necked Duck. Three reports came in on July 29 and August 5, with a single bird present on both dates. For Branch County in early August, a Ring-necked Duck sitting among the Mallards and dabbling ducks represents a solid find, even if it does not constitute a rarity alert across the broader region. This duck warrants a look if you make the trip.
Pectoral Sandpipers are also present at Kinderhook, with four individuals logged on July 29. August is prime time for Pectorals in Michigan, and they should still be moving through. The 16 Ring-billed Gulls on the lagoons are routine for this site, but worth scanning; gull flocks this time of year occasionally harbor unexpected guests.
Secondary Hotspots and Scattered Records
Activity outside Kinderhook has been limited. Riverbend Park turned up two Northern Flickers on August 7, which is unsurprising for a riparian corridor in summer. Marble Lake produced four Eastern Phoebes on August 5. The scattered Robin and Song Sparrow reports from residential addresses in Coldwater suggest typical suburban and edge habitat breeding activity winding down.
Rotary Park, Coldwater Lake State Park, and Oak Grove Cemetery all rank among the county's best all-time hotspots with 141, 130, and 119 species respectively, but the eBird data for the past 14 days does not show recent activity concentrated there. That said, these sites hold value for different seasons and conditions; they are worth knowing if you are going to spend time in Branch County beyond today.
Weather and Timing for Today
Saturday is shaping up mostly sunny with a high of 82 degrees and 10 to 15 mph west winds. An 18 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms exists but should not disrupt morning birding if you are out by dawn. Sunrise is at 6:40 AM, with the dawn chorus window running from 6:10 to 8:10 AM. Expect diminished songbird activity given that we are well past the height of breeding season and into late summer doldrums, but resident species and any early migrants will be present in low numbers.
The west wind is not a classic shorebird pusher, but it should keep conditions stable through the morning. Tomorrow's south wind at lighter speeds will be more favorable for any northbound warbler activity, though August is early for fall migration proper. Tonight's clear skies and cool drop to 55 degrees might produce some nighthawk activity on the wing if you are out listening after dark.
Where to Bird Branch County Today
If you have the time and are serious about what Branch County has to offer right now, make Kinderhook Sewage Lagoons your primary stop. The concentration of shorebirds, waterfowl, and the presence of that Ring-necked Duck justify the visit. Bring a scope if you have one; the exposed lagoon structure allows for distant viewing from roads or accessible perimeter points.
If Kinderhook is not accessible or you want a secondary location, Riverbend Park offers a different habitat and may turn up migrants or resident species that the lagoons will not hold. Oak Grove Cemetery has solid all-time numbers and might be worth a morning walk if you find yourself in central Coldwater.
The data from the past 14 days is thin compared to peak migration periods, which is normal for August in a southern Lower Peninsula county. Do not expect blockbuster numbers or rare sightings, but the conditions are right for steady work on common species and the occasional good find like that Ring-necked Duck.
For the live eBird map and full county data, visit https://birding.chrisizworski.com.