Heat Dome Birding - 23 Jun 2025
The Midwest is currently under a heat dome that is bringing 100ºF+ heat index numbers during daylight hours and uncomfortable, high-humidity and temperature (75ºF) sleeps. But, it was only 75ºF at 7:30 am this morning so I decided to make a quick run down to Pt. Mouillee to check out Cell 3. It didn't disappoint.
I spotted 3 Black-necked Stilts and a Whimbrel even before I could set up the scope. Another 32 American White Pelicans were swimming in the waters of Cell 3. Only two Caspian Terns and two Dunlin were seen, as well.
With the near shore under standing water (from dredge pumping) I walked the trail toward the north end of Cell 3 and walked out onto the mudflats in dryer-but-still-soft mud. Making my way through the Lady's Thumb patches I headed toward the west side of the Cell where I got better pictures of the Black-necked Stilts, a half-dozen Green-winged Teal, a pair of Redhead, and a pair of Northern Shoveler.
As I walked the Whimbrel could be heard overhead and I was able to get some flight shots as it passed by.
A short while later I heard the loud "Keee-eeer" of a Common Tern and got some pics as it flew by.
I then heard the squeaky calls of a pair of Black Terns and they were soon joined by a third bird.
As I stood behind patches of phragmites not to disturb the Stilts the Killdeer were going crazy; little ones were scampering across the mudflats in front of me.
With temperatures rising I made my way back to the bike and rode along the Lake Erie shoreline smelling dead carp that had washed up onto the beach. But, with a light breeze the ride was pretty pleasant. I'd be home by 9:30 am.
Pte. Mouillee SGA (permit required Sep 1-Dec 15), Monroe, Michigan, US
Jun 23, 2025 7:15 AM - 8:38 AM
Protocol: Traveling
3.293 mile(s)
Checklist Comments: Clear, hot, humid, 80F at 8 am. Heat index in low 100’s for today, tomorrow. Light s wind at 5-10mph
41 species
Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) 65
Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) 6
Wood Duck (Aix sponsa) 2
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) 8
Green-winged Teal (Anas crecca) 8
Redhead (Aythya americana) 2
Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis) 4
Black-necked Stilt (Himantopus mexicanus) 3 Continuing Cell 3
Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) 26
Semipalmated Plover (Charadrius semipalmatus) 1
Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus) 1 Cell 3. Pics
Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularius) 1
Dunlin (Calidris alpina) 2
Bonaparte's Gull (Chroicocephalus philadelphia) 1
Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis) 46
American Herring Gull (Larus smithsonianus) 20
Caspian Tern (Hydroprogne caspia) 2
Black Tern (Chlidonias niger) 3
Forster's Tern (Sterna forsteri) 4
Common Tern (Sterna hirundo) 1
Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps) 2
Double-crested Cormorant (Nannopterum auritum) 2
Black-crowned Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax) 1
Great Egret (Ardea alba) 1
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) 2
American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) 32
Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) 4
Willow Flycatcher (Empidonax traillii) 1
Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus) 2
Bank Swallow (Riparia riparia) 2
Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) 2
Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) 2
Marsh Wren (Cistothorus palustris) 1
European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) 3
American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) 2
Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) 36
Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) 6
Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula) 2
Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas) 1
Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia) 6
Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea) 4
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S2
