A Swainson's Hawk appeared yesterday evening at Shiawassee NWR on Ferguson Bayou Trail, marking the most notable sighting in Saginaw County over the past two weeks. This is a rare bird for the region and worth the drive if you are mobile. The same location also produced three Black-necked Stilts on May 1, another uncommon record for southern Michigan in early May. Both sightings occurred at the same hotspot where the bulk of this county's recent activity is concentrated.
The eBird reports from Saginaw County over the past 14 days tell the story of spring migration focused almost entirely on Shiawassee NWR. Of 161 species observations logged, the vast majority came from Ferguson Bayou Trail and the Wildlife Drive loop. This is typical for early May in the county: the refuge is catching migrants and holding waterfowl on the backwaters of the Shiawassee River system.
Waterfowl and Shorebirds Dominating the Count
Ring-necked Ducks and Lesser Scaup remain thick on the refuge pools. Yesterday's count from Ferguson Bayou Trail included 50 Greater Yellowlegs, 30 Ring-necked Ducks, 15 Mallards, 15 Double-crested Cormorants, and 10 Green-winged Teal. These numbers suggest that water levels and habitat conditions are holding birds as they push north. The 30 Canada Geese and 40 Red-winged Blackbirds are expected at this season. What stands out is the concentration of shorebirds: 50 Greater Yellowlegs is a solid count for early May, and the presence of Black-necked Stilts is the kind of curveball that makes the refuge worth checking regularly through the migration window.
Spring Passerines in Early Wave
Tree Swallows numbered 20 on Ferguson Bayou Trail yesterday. Song Sparrows hit 25. Chimney Swifts were logged at 7 birds. Cedar Waxwings appeared at a home feeder with 10 individuals. These are the first pulses of the warbler and thrush waves that define May birding in Michigan, though the data here does not yet show the diversity that will arrive over the next two to three weeks. Rusty Blackbirds, still present at 7 birds on the Tom Cresswell Road prairie, are lingering migrants that should be tracked if you are working the refuge.
Turkey Vultures have begun their seasonal return: 7 were counted from a location on Bishop Road in Saginaw. Common Grackles, always reliable, totaled 10 at Ferguson Bayou Trail.
Weather Supports Migration Movement
Today's forecast of mostly sunny skies, 52 degrees, and light winds from the northwest is stable but cool. Northwest flow can hold birds locally or slow their northward push. Tomorrow brings a shift: southwest winds 8 to 21 miles per hour with a chance of rain showers. That southwest wind regime is the classic setup for pushing warblers and other migrants north and may deliver birds overnight into Sunday morning. If you are birding the county today, expect the activity to remain steady at Shiawassee NWR rather than explosive. The real movement may come Sunday.
Where to Bird in Saginaw County Today
Ferguson Bayou Trail at Shiawassee NWR remains the hotspot to work. It has produced 258 species all-time and is the clear focal point of activity in the county. The Swainson's Hawk and Black-necked Stilts are there, and the shorebird numbers are legitimate. The Wildlife Drive loop, with 277 species all-time, is your second option and offers a different angle through the refuge if you want to maximize your time.
Saginaw County is in the early stages of peak spring migration. The data is thin compared to what will arrive in the coming weeks, but the presence of rare birds and solid waterbird numbers makes Shiawassee NWR worth your Saturday morning. The dawn chorus window runs from 5:59 AM to 7:59 AM; the light is excellent at that hour, and migrants are vocal.
For the live eBird map and full county data, check https://michiganbirdingreport.com.