A Wilson's Phalarope turned up yesterday afternoon at the Schoenherr and 28 Mile Road fields, marking a notable sighting for Macomb County in late April. The bird was reported multiple times from the same location and also from nearby on 28 Mile Road in Washington, making this the headline for Macomb County birding today. Phalaropes are rare inland in Michigan, and this timing fits the spring migration window, though seeing one in open fields rather than on water is worth noting and worth chasing if you can get to the area before it moves on.
The broader picture in Macomb County over the past two weeks shows the county firmly in spring migration mode. Waterfowl are still moving through the St. Clair system, with Common Mergansers and Red-breasted Mergansers holding at Lake St. Clair Metropark at Metro Beach, where observers counted 12 Common Mergansers and 10 Red-breasted Mergansers as of yesterday. Ring-necked Ducks remain at Harley Ensign Memorial Boating Access Site with 12 individuals reported on April 26. Shorebirds are filtering through; Dunlin have been spotted at Metro Beach with counts of 10 birds as recently as April 27. Tree Swallows have arrived in force with 10 recorded at Metro Beach on April 29, and Cedar Waxwings are present at multiple inland locations. Early passerine migrants include Rusty Blackbirds, still lingering at Macomb Township Nature Park with seven birds on April 27, and Virginia Rails calling from wetland habitat around Harrison Township.
What the Weather Means for Friday and This Weekend
Today stays dry until evening, with a 25 percent rain chance and mostly cloudy skies at 54 degrees from the northwest at 12 miles per hour. Tonight dips to 34 degrees with another chance of light rain. Friday morning brings areas of frost before rain showers develop, with calm to light winds from the north-northeast. That calm NNW flow tomorrow morning should keep the dawn chorus active and predictable, though the overcast and frost suggest warbler movement may have stalled. The cold front pushing through will not set up strong south winds, so expect migration to remain steady but not explosive through the weekend.
Lake St. Clair Metropark Remains the County Draw
Lake St. Clair Metropark at Metro Beach continues to dominate the eBird data from Macomb County. In the past two weeks, this single hotspot has concentrated sightings of Common Mergansers, Red-breasted Mergansers, Tree Swallows, Dunlin, Ring-billed Gulls, and Bald Eagles. Five Bald Eagles were reported there on April 29 alone. This is the obvious choice for a mixed waterfowl and shorebird day, especially before the rain moves in this evening. The metropark's all-time species list stands at 293, well above any other county location, and that diversity reflects the habitat range along the St. Clair shoreline.
For birders more interested in inland passerine activity and those chasing the Wilson's Phalarope, the Schoenherr and 28 Mile Road area in the central-western part of the county is the place to be. Fields in that part of Macomb County have been productive for spring migrants and, apparently, for vagrants. If you cannot reach the phalarope before it departs, Stony Creek Metropark in its north and south sections remains a solid backup with all-time lists of 241 and 252 species respectively and a track record of holding multiple warbler species in late April.
For live eBird maps and detailed checklists from all active Macomb County hotspots, visit https://michiganbirdingreport.com.