Chris Izworski's daily Michigan birding report turns to Newaygo County this morning, where fall migration is pushing shorebirds and dabbling ducks through the county's scattered wetlands and managed flats. The most recent two weeks of eBird data show 105 species reported across the county, with some solid congregation points that merit attention as we enter the final days of September.
The Muck Flats Are Drawing Migrants
Old Rice Lake Muck Flats remains the dominant hotspot in the county right now. The site has concentrated 85 American Pipits over the past 14 days, with the most recent sighting on September 20. That count is exceptional for this region and speaks to the habitat quality of open, muddy flats during fall passage. The same location has also hosted 12 Horned Larks and, most notably, a remarkable 90 Brewer's Blackbirds on September 20. That Brewer's count is the kind of number that moves quickly through eBird notifications; if you missed it, the birds may well have moved on, but the location itself remains productive for grassland and open-ground species as migrants filter south.
Waterfowl at the Wastewater Facilities
Fremont Waste Water Plant has pulled in significant numbers of ducks for mid-September, though access is limited. The facility reported 38 Northern Shovelers and 8 Ring-billed Gulls as of September 20. Fremont High School, also with restricted access, has been more generous with sightings: 6 Northern Pintails, 5 Green-winged Teal, 4 Blue-winged Teal, 4 Pectoral Sandpipers, and 6 Lesser Yellowlegs all turned up by September 20. These numbers suggest active shorebird and dabbling duck movement through the county's available shallow water. A Northern Yellow Warbler was also flagged at Fremont High School on September 19, a notable sighting for the tail end of September.
Rare Birds Worth Noting
A Blue-winged Warbler at The Bear Den on September 15 and a Veery at Hungerford Day Use Area on September 20 represent the kind of late migrants that can still turn up in Newaygo County as fall migration continues. These are not birds to expect regularly, but they confirm that vagrant warblers and thrushes are still moving through the region.
Weather and What It Means
Today brings sunshine, 74 degrees, and minimal wind from the northeast at just 3 miles per hour. Tomorrow will be similar: sunny, 74 degrees, and nearly calm from the north. These conditions are stable but not particularly conducive to major fallouts. Northeast or northerly winds typically push birds inland and downward after overnight flights, but today's light winds and clear skies mean migration will continue at a normal pace without emergency landings. The night will be clear and cool at 45 degrees, which may stir some additional nocturnal flight activity, but the window for peak movement in Newaygo County is likely closing as we head into early October.
Where to Bird Today
If you have open access, Old Rice Lake Muck Flats remains the top target for concentrated numbers and the best chance at the specialties that have been appearing there. If access to the muck flats is limited, Croton Dam ranks as the all-time hotspot in Newaygo County with 158 species recorded; it should yield a solid mix of lingering warblers, resident species, and passing migrants even if numbers are not explosive. Camp Newaygo's Wetland Trail and Loda Lake Wildflower Sanctuary both sit in the 130-species range and offer more diverse habitat for a general fall day.
For up-to-date sightings, access the live map and full county data at https://birding.chrisizworski.com.