Chris Izworski's daily Michigan birding report turns to Lenawee County this morning, where 103 species have been documented in the past two weeks and breeding season activity is firmly underway. The data shows a county in good form for mid-to-late June, with waterfowl concentrated at reliable sites and grassland species still singing from their territories.
Water Birds Concentrated at Red Mill Pond
Red Mill Pond is delivering the most consistent activity. Six Mute Swans were reported there as recently as June 21, making it the top hotspot for swan sightings in the current cycle. The same location has hosted three Bald Eagles, three Purple Martins, and three Belted Kingfishers in recent days. This concentration of waterbirds and raptors at a single site suggests stable habitat and reliable food sources through the breeding season. The pond remains worth a dedicated visit if you are working county birds or chasing the Bald Eagles.
Grassland Specialists at Mills-Macon Highway
The Mills-Macon Highway fields are holding both Henslow's Sparrow and Bobolink, with three individuals of each species recorded on June 13. Both are present and singing in breeding plumage at this time of year. Henslow's Sparrow is the tighter find; its ticking song is distinctive once you have locked into it. Bobolink numbers fluctuate, but three birds suggest a stable breeding population here. These grassland sites require mid-morning visits when birds are still mobile; by mid-afternoon they hunker down in the heat.
Lark Sparrow Returns to Ives Road Fen Preserve
The notable sighting this period is the Lark Sparrow at Ives Road Fen Preserve, documented on June 20 and previously on June 10. This is a flagged occurrence in eBird and represents an uncommon bird for Lenawee County in breeding season. Lark Sparrow is a western species that appears irregularly in Michigan, most often in sandy or sparsely vegetated habitat. The fact that this individual has persisted at the same location across a ten-day window suggests it may be territorial rather than transient. Ives Road Fen Preserve sits 183 species all-time on the county list and is worth the drive if you do not have this bird on a local year list.
Screech-Owls and Wrens in Song
Four Eastern Screech-Owls were reported at Green Highway on June 13, suggesting either a family group or territorial males still in vocal range. Screech-Owl activity drops sharply once fledglings disperse, so the timing on this report is important; if you target this location tonight you may find them still responsive to playback. Four Marsh Wrens at Onsted SGA as of June 19 indicate that the wetland complex is hosting a breeding contingent. Marsh Wren is present but often missed by casual birders due to its skulking behavior and preference for dense cattail stands.
Weather Favors Early Morning Work
Today is sunny with light winds from the north at 7 miles per hour and a high of 76 degrees Fahrenheit. Tomorrow will be slightly warmer at 78 degrees with southerly winds between 0 and 6 miles per hour. Both days will favor early morning birding. The dawn chorus window closes by 7:31 AM given late-June timing, so an early start at 5:30 or 6:00 AM is necessary to catch peak vocal activity. The calm conditions forecast for tomorrow make it the better day for warblers and flycatchers if you have not worked those specialties yet.
Recommendations for Today
If you are heading out in Lenawee County this morning, prioritize Red Mill Pond for waterbirds and raptors, or Ives Road Fen Preserve if you are chasing the Lark Sparrow. Both hotspots offer all-time species counts above 180 and are safe bets for productive morning hours. Lake Hudson SRA, the county's top hotspot with 216 all-time species, is a dependable option if you want breadth over specific targets.
Visit https://birding.chrisizworski.com for the live map and full county data.