Chris Izworski's daily Michigan birding report focuses on Clinton County this morning, where the past two weeks have produced 91 species across the region's marshes, state game areas, and riverine access points. The count is modest for mid-August, but the composition tells a clear story: shorebird season is here, early fall warblers are moving, and the county's reliable marsh sites continue to deliver.
Marsh Dominance and Recent Notable Records
Corey Marsh Ecological Research Center remains the engine of Clinton County birding activity, logging 225 species on its all-time list and dominating recent reports. In the past 14 days, the marsh has hosted consistent Barn Swallow numbers: 10 individuals recorded most recently on August 14. Northern Rough-winged Swallows are present in good numbers as well, with 8 reported on August 5. Great Blue Herons and Green Herons are both active, lending the marsh its predictable heron presence. But the notable find came earlier in the reporting period: Bonaparte's Gulls, three birds, on August 2. That is genuinely worth noting. Bonaparte's Gulls are not routine Clinton County birds in August, and their presence suggests either lingering early migrants or a brief convergence of conditions that brought them inland.
The Black-bellied Plover reported on August 13 at 1694 N Grange Rd in Fowler is the other flagged record worth pursuing. Shorebirds peak in August and into early September across Michigan, and Clinton County's location in the Southern Lower Peninsula positions it as a plausible stop for southbound shorebirds working their way down the Mississippi Flyway and its tributary systems. The Grange Road location is well inland, suggesting a field or wet meadow, not a typical shorebird haunt. Follow-up visits might turn up additional species there or in the surrounding area.
Waterfowl and Seasonal Shifts
Wood Ducks and Wild Turkeys anchor the county's waterfowl and game bird presence. Ten Wood Ducks were recorded at Babcock's Landing as recently as August 12, and 19 Wild Turkeys from the same site on August 7 reflect the robust breeding season the county has experienced. Babcock's Landing, with 189 species on record, remains a solid destination for wading birds and dabbling ducks moving through late summer.
Today's forecast of mostly cloudy conditions with a slight chance of showers and an easterly wind of 5 to 9 mph is not particularly forceful, but it is worth noting that tomorrow brings a stronger system: showers and thunderstorms likely with westerly winds shifting into the 3 to 13 mph range. If you are planning a multi-day visit, the better birding window is this morning through early afternoon. Calm, overcast mornings are optimal for dawn chorus, and your dawn chorus window extends from 6:13 to 8:13 AM, giving you a full two hours to work the county's wetland edges and forest borders before the heat sets in.
Fall Migration and the Slow Mid-August Doldrm
The eBird total of 91 species in 14 days is modest. August is often a lull in Michigan birding, sandwiched between the breeding season and fall migration proper. However, warblers are beginning to move, and many will still be in alternate plumage or dull basic plumage, making identification challenging. Rose Lake SWA, with 207 species all-time, and Sleepy Hollow SP at Lake Ovid, with 208 species, both offer shrubby and mixed habitat suitable for stationing yourself and watching for fall warblers. Ring-billed Gulls are present at Lake Ovid, 7 reported on August 9, so water-edge birding will be productive.
American Goldfinches show 9 individuals at Meadows Neighborhood, and that location has also logged Blue Jays, Northern Cardinals, White-breasted Nuthatches, and European Starlings in the past 14 days. Meadows Neighborhood has not been flagged here as a major hotspot, but consistent backyard and neighborhood sightings often point to productive mixed habitat worth a slower pass.
Where to Focus Today
If you can get out this morning, head to Corey Marsh Ecological Research Center for swallows, herons, and any lingering shorebirds or gulls attracted to the open water and mudflats. It is the county's most productive site and is delivering this week. If you want to chase the Black-bellied Plover or explore shorebird habitat, the Fowler location on Grange Road warrants a visit. Bring a spotting scope and patience; field shorebirds require setup and time.
For live maps, detailed hotspot coordinates, and the full county eBird database, visit https://birding.chrisizworski.com.