Chris Izworski's daily Michigan birding report turns to Branch County this morning, where the sewage lagoons continue to dominate the recent activity. Over the past two weeks, 51 species have been logged across the county, with Kinderhook Sewage Lagoons accounting for the vast majority of sightings. The data tells a clear story: this is where the birds are concentrating right now, and water birds are the main draw as we move deeper into late October.
Waterfowl and Gulls at Kinderhook
Ring-billed Gulls remain the most frequently reported species in Branch County, with 45 individuals tallied at Kinderhook Sewage Lagoons as recently as October 17. That number likely holds or has shifted slightly by now; these lagoons are functioning exactly as they should in mid-to-late fall, attracting and holding mixed flocks of waterbirds. Tree Swallows follow close behind with 30 sightings at the same location, which is noteworthy for late October given that most Tree Swallows should be well south by this date. Whether these represent stragglers or a pocket population lingering on insects over the lagoons is unclear from the data alone, but they deserve a second look if you're in the area.
Dabbling and diving ducks are present in smaller numbers: Blue-winged Teal and Mallards logged on October 10, Ring-necked Duck on the same date, and Ruddy Duck documented as recently as October 17. These are typical for the season, but the presence of 2 Mute Swans at Kinderhook is the sort of sighting worth noting. Mute Swans are established on Michigan waters, and Branch County appears to be within their regular range.
Shorebirds have shown up in modest numbers. Lesser Yellowlegs posted 4 individuals on October 17, and a Solitary Sandpiper was documented on October 12. American Pipits, often easy to miss unless you know what to look for, recorded 2 birds on October 17. These are species that reward careful scanning of open, muddy areas around the lagoon margins.
Notable Records and Mainland Activity
The most significant recent report came from Montgomery, at 1259 Haight Road. A Scarlet Tanager was documented there on October 19, which is a legitimate highlight for late October in southern Michigan. Scarlet Tanagers linger into October, but they are no longer common by mid-month, making this sighting worth flagging. The same location also produced a Yellow-rumped Warbler and American Goldfinch as recently as October 22, suggesting that patch continues to hold transient songbirds.
Bonaparte's Gulls, typically less numerous than Ring-billed Gulls in inland settings, showed up with 2 birds on October 12 at Kinderhook. Barn Swallows, now rare in late October statewide, registered 2 individuals on October 13 at the same lagoons. Savannah Sparrows, another species worth seeking at migration, appeared with 2 birds on October 13.
Weather and Timing
Today's forecast is cooperative for fieldwork: fog clearing to sun, 69 degrees, and light southeast winds at 5 mph. That southeast flow is subtle and will not push any significant movement, but the calm conditions and clearing skies mean good visibility for scanning open water and identifying distant flocks. Sunrise is 8:00 AM with the dawn chorus window extending to 9:30 AM, though activity will be moderate at best this late in the season. Overnight lows of 43 degrees will be cold enough to stimulate some nocturnal movement, but the forecast shows no incoming cold front to trigger major waterfowl displacement.
Where to Bird Branch County Today
If you are heading into Branch County this morning, Kinderhook Sewage Lagoons is the clear priority. The data show consistent activity there over the past two weeks, and 178 all-time species recorded at the site speaks to its productivity. Focus on open water for gulls and ducks, and work the margins for shorebirds and pipits. Rotary Park, with 141 species all-time, is a secondary option if you want to cover more ground and have time for a songbird walk, though reports from there have been sparse in the recent data.
The recent data set is modest at 51 species over 14 days, reflecting the reality of October birding in southern Lower Michigan: activity is present, but concentrated and patchy. Kinderhook is performing as expected for a sewage lagoon system in fall migration, and that alone makes it worth the visit.
Live updates and full county data are available at https://birding.chrisizworski.com.