Chris Izworski's daily Michigan birding report turns to Macomb County this morning, where fall migration continues to deliver the goods across the southern Lower Peninsula. The past two weeks have produced 145 species in the county, with Lake St. Clair Metropark dominating the activity log. The real news here is the Connecticut Warblers at Metro Beach; this is the kind of sighting that gets birders moving in mid-September.
The Connecticut Warbler Push at Metro Beach
Connecticut Warblers are always worth noting, and we have had at least three separate confirmations from Lake St. Clair Metropark (Metro Beach Metropark) between September 10 and 11. This is genuine migration news. These are challenging birds to pin down, skulking through understory and marsh edge, but the dates align perfectly with peak Connecticut passage through Michigan. The park has also been hosting multiple Neotropic Cormorant sightings through the first week of September; if one is still lingering, that would be worth your time. The park's 293 all-time species total reflects why it dominates the county's reporting.
Waterbird Activity and What the South Wind Should Do
Lake St. Clair Metropark continues to show the best diversity of waterfowl and shorebirds. Over the past 14 days, reporters have logged 13 American Black Ducks at Harley Ensign Memorial Boating Access Site, along with 5 Green-winged Teal at Teller Road at 28 Mile Road. The presence of Black Ducks this early in the season suggests staging for the push south. Today's south wind at 13 miles per hour with 81 degrees and chance rain showers may nudge more birds through before tonight's thunderstorms move in. That system arriving tonight and lingering into early tomorrow should keep flight activity elevated through dawn. The 3 to 8 mile per hour north wind expected tomorrow morning will settle things down considerably.
Migrants in the Scrub and Shrub
Swainson's Thrush, Gray Catbird, and Red-eyed Vireo are all moving through the county in small numbers; we have counts of 5, 4, and 3 respectively over the past two weeks. These are the birds to work the thickets and hedgerows. Marsh Wrens are active at Lake St. Clair Metropark (4 recorded), which makes sense given the proximity to productive cattail marsh. Chimney Swifts remain present, with 4 sightings from Fraser on September 12; they should be moving out soon but may still work overhead at dawn. Tree Swallows (4 from Harrison Township) are also in passage mode.
Where to Spend Your Time Today
If you are heading out this morning, Lake St. Clair Metropark is the obvious choice. The park's consistent reporting, the recent Connecticut Warbler activity, and the potential for Neotropic Cormorant make it worth a full session. Get there before 8:40 AM to catch the dawn chorus window; passerines will be active in the 12 hour 34 minute daylight we have today. If you want a secondary location or prefer something away from the crowds, Stony Creek Metropark's south unit (252 all-time species) also deserves a visit and should be productive for migrants in the early morning before the threat of rain develops.
Detailed eBird maps and full county data are available at https://birding.chrisizworski.com.