Chris Izworski, reporting from Michigan, turns to Missaukee County this morning, where the last two weeks have delivered steady fall movement through the northern Lower Peninsula. The eBird data tells a straightforward story: migration is active, waterbirds are staging, and the Cadillac Pathway has become the reliable hotspot for passerine activity in the region.
Cranes, Geese, and the Open Water Play
Sandhill Cranes own the recent activity here. Forty-two individuals have been reported at the Cadillac Pathway over the past two weeks, with the most recent sighting on September 20. That is the dominant count in the county right now and worth your attention if you have not connected with this year's passage. Canada Geese at 40 individuals remain widespread across corn fields, indicating they are still sorting out their staging areas before the serious push south. Trumpeter Swans, just two birds reported at corn fields on September 19, suggest the early trickle of that species has begun; keep watch for more as the season deepens.
The two-degree temperature drop tonight to 39 degrees will not trigger any dramatic waterfowl movements yet, but the east wind holding at 10 to 15 mph today will keep birds moving laterally through the county rather than settling in for a long stay. That works against today's birders, meaning birds will be mobile rather than concentrated.
Raptors and Turkey Vultures Along the Roads
Turkey Vultures continue their fall drift with 10 individuals tallied at 3509 S Vandermeulen Road in McBain on September 21. This is standard late September passage, and the mostly sunny conditions today will support thermals and kettle activity. Wild Turkey numbers remain solid at 30 individuals on M55 west of 9 Mile Road as of September 21, reflecting the established breeding population in Missaukee holding steady. No hawk flight data is reported from the county itself, though the Straits and lakeshores are seeing their typical mid-September movements at this time.
Passérines at the Cadillac Pathway
The Cadillac Pathway is where the county's birding action is concentrated. Red-breasted Nuthatches have been steady at six individuals through September 20; Brown Creepers at three, also through September 20; and the two White-breasted Nuthatches reported on the same date suggest a healthy understory. Yellow-rumped Warblers and Swainson's Thrushes, both at two individuals each, indicate ongoing warbler passage, though the pace appears moderate rather than explosive. The September 13 date on several of these records suggests better activity earlier in the two-week window.
Black-capped Chickadees, Blue Jays, and Tufted Titmice are present at nearby Peckham's 100 Acre Wood and will remain resident. The 12-hour and 14-minute day length means the dawn chorus window runs from 6:55 AM to 8:55 AM; the mostly clear night tonight and sunny forecast tomorrow morning should produce decent singing activity if you arrive early.
The Honest Assessment
Thirty-nine species over 14 days reflects a county that is being birded lightly or where activity has genuinely been modest. No rare or notable sightings have been flagged in the eBird review. This is not a slow week so much as a snapshot of typical late summer movement in northern Michigan. The established hotspots like Reedsburg Dam State Campground and Ben D. Jeffs River Park, each with substantial all-time species counts, remain the places to invest your effort if you want to maximize encounter rates.
If you are heading out today, Reedsburg Dam State Campground remains your best option given its 165 all-time species and a likelihood of better coverage. The Cadillac Pathway has shown consistent activity this cycle and deserves a second look if you work the area. Conditions tomorrow with the lighter east wind and continued sun will be marginally better than today for stationary birding.
For the live county map and full eBird data, visit https://birding.chrisizworski.com.