Chris Izworski's daily Michigan birding report turns to Hillsdale County this morning, where the past two weeks have brought modest activity across 89 species. The county is in that familiar late-August lull: shorebirds are moving through, fall warblers are beginning their southbound push in drab plumage, and the regular breeders are still present but less vocal. Nothing has flagged as rare or notable in the eBird data, but the season itself is productive if you know where to look.
What's On the Water and in the Marsh
Wood Ducks continue to hold the top count at 12 individuals, all coming from the Tripp Road area near Osseo on the northern side of the county. That location has been consistent through mid-August, suggesting either a local family group or migrants stopping over on their way south. Lake Diane is holding 4 Canada Geese as of the 16th. Neither is remarkable for late August, but both are present and findable.
More interesting are the shorebirds. Three Pectoral Sandpipers were logged at S Meridian Road in Waldron on the 15th, which aligns with typical late-summer migration timing for that species. Killdeers remain common with 4 birds reported from Meridian Road as recently as the 17th. This is shorebird season in Hillsdale County, and with the forecast calling for mostly sunny skies tomorrow, the shallow edges and muddy margins around Lost Nation SGA and Somerset SGA should be worth checking.
Passerines Moving Through
The warbler migration is just beginning to show up in the counts, which makes sense for late August in southern Michigan. Gray Catbirds are the most frequently reported warbler-adjacent species with 3 sightings at the Lost Nations NCT trailhead as of the 25th. Eastern Towhees, also at peak count of 3, were seen at Waterworks Park on the 22nd. Both species suggest active brush habitat is holding migrants.
Indigo Buntings, not technically warblers but falling-away breeders that should be departing, still show 3 individuals from Home Range on the 24th. Common Grackles, Mourning Doves, and Eastern Wood-Pewees round out the insectivore guild. The Wood-Pewee count of 2 from the NCT trailhead on the 25th is worth noting; that species is a late migrant, and seeing them move through late August is normal but requires attention to the canopy.
Tonight's Storm and Tomorrow's Window
Today brings a 45 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms with southwest winds at 5 to 10 mph. Tonight conditions worsen with likely thunderstorms. This is not ideal for birding, though if the rain holds off through the dawn chorus window (6:26 AM to 8:26 AM), the damp conditions should activate some movement. Tomorrow's forecast clears to mostly sunny skies with northwest winds at 5 to 10 mph and an 80-degree high. That northwest flow is a classic setup for pulling down migrants off the Great Lakes and pushing early fall arrivals southward. It's worth getting out early Thursday morning.
County Recommendations
If today clears enough for an afternoon or evening visit, Somerset SGA or Lost Nation SGA should be your priority. Both have demonstrated ability to pick up shorebirds and early fall migrants. Somerset's all-time list of 194 species makes it the county's most productive location. Lost Nation is close behind at 186 species and has shown activity in Gray Catbirds and other brush species all week. Waterworks Park performed well for Eastern Towhees and merits a visit if you're near Hillsdale proper.
The data is thin this cycle, which is typical for this time of year in Hillsdale County. Friday and Saturday, riding the post-storm northwest flow, will likely show stronger movement. Keep an eye on the hotspots and report what you find.
For a live map and full county data, visit https://birding.chrisizworski.com.