Chris Izworski, reporting from Michigan this morning, turns his attention to Monroe County's fall migration pulse. The past two weeks have delivered 180 species across the county's network of marshes, lakefront parks, and open water, with serious activity concentrated at Sterling State Park and Pointe Mouillee State Game Area.
The Anhinga Situation
The story today is an Anhinga at 3623 Kelly Road in La Salle, documented repeatedly yesterday on September 22. This is well outside normal range for Michigan and represents a significant vagrant. The bird's persistence at the same location across multiple observations suggests it is holding rather than passing through. Any birder with access to private property in the La Salle area should make an effort to verify this sighting today. An Anhinga this far north in mid-September warrants close study.
Water Birds and Shorebirds Driving the Numbers
Sterling State Park is the county's hotspot right now, with concentrations of waterfowl and waders pushing southbound. Tree Swallows dominate the observations at 200 individuals, likely staging before their own departure. Great Egrets and Ring-billed Gulls each number 50 birds at Sterling. The Mallard count of 50 individuals at Luna Pier reflects typical dabbler staging behavior mid-week.
Pointe Mouillee State Game Area, accessible only with a permit through December 31, is living up to its 305 species all-time reputation. Broad-winged Hawks have been recorded at 50 individuals there, consistent with late September raptor passage. Common Gallinules number 37, with Blue-winged Teal at 14 and Redheads at 8. The shorebird passage continues with Semipalmated Sandpipers at 18 and Stilt Sandpipers at 13. This is peak timing for wader diversity on the marshes.
Northern Pintails at 37 birds near Erie Road and public beach access show that dabbler diversity is working through the county. American White Pelicans, 18 individuals reported at the same location on September 21, indicate continued Huron basin influence on Monroe's waterfront.
The Smaller Migrants
An Olive-sided Flycatcher was documented at Indian Creek Park on September 21. This species is a scarce migrant through Michigan and worth noting for anyone working the wooded parks this week. The Horned Larks at Munson Park, nine birds on September 21, signal the movement of open country specialists southbound.
Weather and Timing
Today will be cool at 64 degrees with easterly winds at 17 mph and a 39 percent chance of rain showers. Tomorrow clears significantly: 67 degrees, sunny, and calmer winds from the east at 8 to 15 mph. The shift tomorrow will be preferable for birding, but today's marginal conditions should not deter effort at the marshes, where waterfowl and shorebirds remain active regardless of light rain. Sunrise is at 7:20 AM, giving a tight dawn chorus window from 6:50 to 8:50 AM for any passerines still lingering in scrub and wooded edges.
Where to Focus Today
Pointe Mouillee State Game Area remains the premier destination in Monroe County for shorebird diversity and waterfowl count right now. The numbers posted over the past two weeks do not lie: this is where the birds are staging. The permit system in effect through December 31 will filter crowds. Sterling State Park is accessible without restrictions and continues to post solid wader and swallow counts. Both locations justify a full morning's effort.
The La Salle Anhinga location merits investigation if access can be arranged, as verification of a county first or significant rarity would be valuable to the regional record.
Follow live updates and access the full county species map at https://birding.chrisizworski.com.