Chris Izworski's daily Michigan birding report looks at Gladwin County this morning, where 107 species have been tallied over the past two weeks with some notable late-summer activity already showing itself. The county is in the thick of shorebird season and the earliest stages of fall warbler migration, though the overall reporting rate remains moderate for a Northern Lower Peninsula county.
What's Moving Through Gladwin Right Now
Ring-billed Gulls continue to dominate the numbers at Ross Lake Park with 106 individuals counted as of August 19, suggesting good water levels and consistent congregations that are worth checking if you're in the area. More interesting for active birders are the shorebirds and cranes appearing at the wetland complexes. Molasses River Flooding WMA has reported Killdeer and Sandhill Crane in the past few days, with 8 and 7 individuals respectively as of August 19. That same hotspot is the county's all-time leader with 188 species on record, and it should be productive for wading birds and dabbling ducks over the next week as conditions evolve.
The two notable eBird flags from this county deserve attention. A Brewster's Warbler, the Blue-winged x Golden-winged hybrid, was documented at 5500-5898 N Herner Rd in Alger on August 21. That location has also turned up Cedar Waxwings and Gray Catbirds recently, suggesting decent habitat in that northeast corner. Earlier in the period, a Cape May Warbler was reported at Bourret Rd near Alger on August 16. Neither would be unexpected during fall migration, but both warrant a note for anyone working the county's birding hotspots.
Habitat Specifics and Wetland Action
Bentley Marsh Flooding WMA continues to show diversity for a smaller complex, with Pine Warblers and Tree Swallows noted as of August 18 alongside Mallards. Bobolinks have been seen at North Gladwin plains on Shell Rd, with 7 individuals recorded on August 9; that same general region held significant numbers of European Starlings on August 14, a reminder that late August sometimes concentrates mixed flocks before migration picks up. The North Gladwin plains area merits attention if you're targeting grassland or prairie-adapted species.
Barn Swallows and Wild Turkeys have both been documented along N Three Rivers Rd in recent days. Swallows often congregate on utility lines and dead branches in late August before pushing south, so this area may be worth a scan if you're passing through central Gladwin. The presence of resident Tufted Titmice at Grim Road in Bentley indicates typical forest edge habitat holding steady through summer.
Weather and Timing for Today
The forecast calls for patchy fog this morning with temperatures at 75 degrees and a 68 percent rain chance. Wind is light, 0 to 15 mph from the northwest. Isolated showers and thunderstorms are possible tonight, clearing to mostly clear skies by morning tomorrow with highs around 70 degrees and scattered rain showers lingering. A northwest wind flow typically suggests the tail end of a weak system, which can settle birds momentarily but does not usually trigger significant migration pushes in late August. The patchy fog and low wind this morning mean the dawn chorus window, roughly 6:18 to 8:18 AM, could be relatively quiet, but any clearing patches may concentrate birds.
Recommendations for Today
Molasses River Flooding WMA remains the top choice for shorebirds, cranes, and waterfowl diversity. Its 188 species all-time record reflects genuine habitat value, and current reports of Killdeer and Sandhill Crane suggest productive wetland conditions. Bentley Marsh Flooding WMA is a secondary option if you want to check marsh birds and warblers in smaller, more manageable terrain. Both should be passable despite the rain chance, though conditions may be wet underfoot. The North Gladwin plains on Shell Rd deserves consideration if you want to target grassland species and look for late migrant warblers in open areas.
Overall activity in Gladwin County has been moderate over the past two weeks. The county is not in an exceptional reporting window, but shorebird and early warbler passage mean there is always something worth finding if you work the established hotspots carefully.
For live eBird data and a complete species map of Gladwin County, visit https://birding.chrisizworski.com.