Chris Izworski's daily Michigan birding report turns to Lapeer County this morning, where the past two weeks have delivered steady activity across the county's mix of agricultural land, wetland complexes, and managed preserves. With 94 species reported and 94 observations logged since June 7, the county is showing the expected output for late June breeding season, though nothing has triggered eBird's rarity flags. What we're seeing instead is a solid core of summer residents settling into the breeding cycle, with waterfowl, swallows, and the obligate shrub-and-grassland nesters dominating the counts.
What Lapeer County is Producing Right Now
Cliff Swallows are the top count at 14 individuals, reported from Brown's Sod Farm and most recently seen yesterday. This makes sense; sod farms provide the short grass structure and insect abundance that swallows exploit during breeding season. Canada Geese match that count with 14 individuals at Prairie and Ponds at Oakdale Park, almost certainly local breeders and their early broods. Wood Ducks, at six birds, are also present at Brown's Sod Farm, confirming that the wetland resources there are delivering the goods in late June.
The warbler activity is more modest than peak spring migration would suggest, but that's normal for this time of year. Common Yellowthroat leads at 10 individuals from the Silverwood location on Millington Road, which is exactly where you'd expect them: wet scrubby habitat that these birds favor for breeding. Gray Catbirds and Indigo Buntings are tied at 5-9 birds across the same general area, indicating that the shrub and edge habitat in that part of the county is supporting a decent breeding population.
Turkey Vultures at five individuals are another encouraging sign; Brown's Sod Farm appears to be functioning as a reliable thermal corridor and foraging area for vultures working the county. Bobolinks, always worth noting in Michigan, are at four birds from the Otter Lake area near Aurand Road. That's June 13 data, so these birds are established on territory. Bobolinks are one of the county's real summer specialties, relying on grassland habitat that continues to disappear statewide.
The Wetland Picture and Waterfowl
Pied-billed Grebes at four birds from the S. Mill Road marsh represent the other major habitat type supporting Lapeer's avifauna. This marsh complex is worth monitoring through the breeding season. Mallards at seven individuals and Wood Ducks at six suggest that the county's pond and marsh network is still functioning for waterfowl breeding, though the numbers are not exceptional for late June. This could reflect brood dispersal and reduced visibility as ducklings reach mid-size and adults become less conspicuous in dense vegetation.
Timing and Weather Considerations
Today's forecast of 75 degrees with mostly clear skies and minimal wind will make for pleasant birding, though the dawn chorus window from 5:22 AM to 7:22 AM is already shifting later as we approach the summer solstice. We're at 15 hours 23 minutes of daylight, and peak singing activity is winding down from its early-June peak. The good news is that tonight brings rain showers likely, which often triggers vocal activity in the early morning hours before the precipitation arrives. Tomorrow morning could be productive if the rain clears early; the ENE wind at 2 to 9 mph is negligible compared to what we'll see in fall migration.
Recommendation for the Field
If you're heading out to Lapeer County today, Seven Ponds Nature Center remains the safe choice for diversity, with 208 species on the all-time list. The Lapeer SGA East Unit and Headquarters area offer good access to the grassland and wetland habitats that are producing Bobolinks, Yellowthroats, and the other breeders currently on territory. Brown's Sod Farm has been the most active hotspot in the recent data, though access may be limited on private land. The Millington Road location in Silverwood, if accessible, has generated consistent numbers for catbirds, goldfinches, and cardinals.
The data from the past two weeks reflects steady breeding season conditions with no surprises or vagrants. This is a functional county for summer birding, not a migration hotspot. Focus on the established patches where recent reports have come in, and expect the typical June mix of family groups and territorial birds settling into mid-season patterns.
For the live ebird map and full county data, visit https://birding.chrisizworski.com.