Clair and birding author kenn kaufman spy a family of bald eagles, one of two nests at the parking lot near magee marsh wildlife area s boardwalk. Portable toilets are at the black swamp bird observatory office all year and seasonally at the parking lot for the magee marsh boardwalk. Photo gallery all of the photos on this page were taken at magee marsh during spring migration. Birding at magee marsh can be done yearround, but the second and third week of may typically provide the most diverse numbers of songbird species for bird watchers.
Annually, 70,000 to 80,000 people visit magee marsh in the sixweek period from midapril through may during the songbird migration. Birding the warbler capital saturday, may 10th olander park. Magee marsh wildlife area in ottawa county is closed until further notice. Click on any thumbnail to zoom to the highresolution image, or click here to view all photos as a slideshow. Workshop offers photography tips in time for birding season. The marsh complex has historically been inhabited by large numbers of waterfowl, waterbirds, shorebirds, and songbirds. Participants who submit a completed and accurate data sheet will earn a place on the. The most popular destination is the boardwalk bird trail, located at the end of the wildlife area road. This tour touches down at one of the most highly regarded migration sensation locales in eastern north america. Warblers will sometimes forage on the ground right next to the boardwalk, literally inches from your feet, or on vines or the bark of an enormous tree. Birding at magee marsh wildlife area ohio ornithological.
April and may are the busiest months of the year at magee marsh. In 2000, wild bird magazine ranked magee in the top 10 of north american birding locales, and with good reason. If you fly in to detroit, you can take route 75 to a hotel. Black swamp bird observatory bsbo is located at the entrance to magee marsh wildlife area, oak harbor, oh. Birding at magee marsh wildlife area ohio ornithological society. Four trails are open for birding, with the magee marsh bird trail or boardwalk the most popular.
There are many hotspots set up in ebird to receive your bird checklists when you visit. Pete thayer is offering the thayer birding software to anyone for free. We know the basics with some research but just want to know a little more so were prepared. On saturday, the ohio department of natural resources division of wildlife hosted a free informational workshop on birding photography at the magee marsh wildlife area in carroll township. Detailed descriptions and maps of these areas and others along the lakeshore can be found online here. Thousands of birders descend upon a halfmile boardwalk to see warblers each may in northern ohios magee marsh wildlife area. Use this hotspot for checklists of birds seen at various locations in the lucas county section of magee marsh. Located just 2 miles from magee marsh wildlife area, one of the top 10 ten birding destinations in the u. So many birds travel through this area to their spring and summer homes. Birding the boardwalk at magee marsh wildlife area, ohio notes to accompany the birding map provided by black swamp bird observatory notes by kenn kaufman, updated august 20 one of the most famous birding sites in north america. The gallery features highresolution closeup photos of magee birds taken by our members. Magee marsh wildlife area is the best place in ohio to witness the spring migration of neotropical birds. The friends of magee marsh, odnr division of wildlife, ottawa national wildlife refuge and black swamp bird observatory team up to make your visit to our area very memorable. Atlanta is a city that has a lot going on, but you have your sights set on brookhaven.
Magee marsh is located at 229 west state route 2, oak harbor, ohio 17 miles west of port clinton and 25 miles east of toledo. The boardwalk that provides spectacular views of warblers during migration is located on the magee marsh wildlife area. Magee marsh is 2000 acres of wetlands situated on lake erie. The black swamp bird observatory office, visitor center and gift shop is located at the entrance of magee marsh wildlife area 551 w. Low marshy areas attract rails in migration, as well as large numbers of sparrows of many species in migration. Thousands of birders from all over the countryand even overseasflock here in may to. Observatory bsbo is located at the entrance to magee marsh wildlife area, oak harbor, oh. Continuing west toward toledo, both metzger marsh wildlife area and maumee bay state park offer birding opportunities, including the chance to pad trip lists with water birds and raptors. Clair a wetland along western lake eries shore is home to one of the worlds best spots for bird watching. Its all right to admit that well be after them like crazy.
On the above map, the purple place marker shows the address on route 2, the wildlife area entrance, to the west, is marked as park rd 1 on this. Arcola creek park ohio department of natural resources. Imbd is a huge event here at the magee marsh wildlife area. Magee marsh is known throughout ohio and far beyond as an excellent birding spot.
Tips for reporting bird sightings at magee marsh wildlife. Arcola creek park the main feature of this 153acre park is the small estuary of arcola creek, formed where the stream joins lake erie. Magee marsh is ohios mecca for migratory birds wksu. Hunters and other interested parties the latest federal duck stamp is now available through our bookstoregift shop. Birding locations black swamp bird observatory brings. Restricted hours do apply during the controlled waterfowl hunts that are carried out on magee marsh from early october through early december. State route 2 oak harbor, oh 43449 4198984070 hours during biggest week. Take i90 west to sr2 west and turn right at the magee marsh wildlife area sign and immediately left into our parking lot. Center, the center for the division of wildlifes wetland research programs. From 1995 to 2009 i made 123 spring migration birding trips to magee marsh wildlife area crane creek state park near toledo. Magee marsh is one of those locations in ohio where a county line runs right through the middle of the area.
Field guide this is only a rudimentary field guide, and is provided as merely a starting point for beginners who dont yet have a good print guide. Black swamp bird observatory located at the entrance of the magee marsh wildlife area 551 w. This part of town is perfect for what you want to be doing, and that is everything that is not on everyones radar. Bsbo is the host the biggest week in american birding. Maps and trails click on the following links for maps to magee, and for maps of birding trails at magee. How birdwatching looks with todays technology cnet. Directions to magee marsh wildlife area friends of magee. We all find our path to birding in different waysours was through deer. Look for little blue herons, great egrets and great blue herons. Magee marsh wildlife area oak harbor 2020 all you need. Excellent print guides are available at various prices from kaufman, peterson, audubon, and others. Magee marsh wildlife area oak harbor, ohio wildlife.
State route 2 oak harbor, ohio 43449 click here for a map directions from the east. My listing program reports first and last dates that each species was seen in migration. Ohio young birders will celebrate international migratory bird day by birding along the southwest lake erie shore at magee marsh wildlife area, ottawa. The magee marsh wildlife area extends a short distance west and far to the east of here. Every spring thousands of birders, photographers, and nature lovers flock to magee marsh wildlife area to witness the spectacle of large songbird concentrations preparing to. Festival locations black swamp bird observatory brings. Visitors come for the orioles, thrushes, vireos, flycatchers, and raptors, but the warblers really attract the attention. Historically, 37 species of warblers and over 300 species of birds have been seen at magee marsh wildlife area, making it recognized worldwide as a top birding destination for songbird migration. On our 1acre yard, we had extensive perennial gardens and were featured on atlanta area garden tours. There are a number of hotspots set up in ebird to receive your bird checklists when you visit.
The first to call about birders not showing restraint and gathering in large numbers at magee marsh was the black swamp bird observatory, a birding group based at the wildlife area. Magee marsh, situated on the southern shore of lake erie, is a prime stopover for north american warblers during spring migration. Both of these areas have hosted kirtlands warblers and dazzling concentrations of migrants. Magee marsh state wildlife area magee marsh is probably the most famous birding destination in ohio. Magee marsh wildlife area attracts birders from all over the world. Tips for reporting bird sightings at magee marsh wildlife area to ebird magee marsh wildlife area attracts birders from all over the world. Bird walks black swamp bird observatory brings you. Magee marsh boarwalk map black swamp bird observatory. Magee marsh wildlife area friends of magee marsh birding.
Birding locations black swamp bird observatory brings you. The magee marsh wildlife area, purchased by the ohio division of wildlife in august 1951, lies in some of ohios finest remaining wetlands. Magee marsh waterfowl hunt ohio sportsman your ohio. Directions to magee marsh magee marsh is located on ohio route 2, which stretches from toledo in the west to port clinton in the east. We are located at the entrance of the magee marsh wildlife area 551 w. Both of us have never went for waterfowl before we mainly deer hunt and occasionally squirrel and pheasant hunt. Magee marsh state wildlife area ohio department of. We are located at the entrance of the magee marsh wildlife area. Birders rejoice as flocks of their affection arrive for biggest week. Magee marsh wa overview map biggest week in american birding. Free online resources black swamp bird observatory.
There are also pulloff areas for viewing along the road. Groups will split up and visit either the crane creek estuary trail or the wildlife beach at the east end of the area. The links in the green bar below will take you to individual pages on this web site, where you can get information on all aspects of birding and bird photography at magee marsh. The entrance road leads north from ohio state route 2 about 18 miles east of toledo and 16 miles west of port clinton, or 1. My friend form work got chosen to go on the magee marsh waterfowl hunt at oak harbor on saturday and we have some questions. There are about 37 species of warblers that usually make an appearance here. The magee marsh wildlife area ottawa national wildlife refuge in ohio. Youll also want to learn to identify warblers by their song, since this can be very useful in the. To the west is a creek and to the east is a mix of trees and open bushy areas. Oak harbor, ohio flocks of birders migrated friday to magee marsh wildlife area, capturing crisp wildlife photos and feeding local. The magee marsh boardwalk is wheelchair accessible. At the bottom of this page youll find links to additional photo galleries from magee photographers. The magee marsh wildlife area is closed to the public, but the more than 10 miles of hiking trails at the ottawa national wildlife refuge are open.
Our mission is the preservation of the magee marsh wildlife area and sportsmens migratory bird center. For further information, write the magee marsh wildlife area. It has been named as one of the top ten bird watching sites in the country. The accessible boardwalk bird trail and entire wildlife area are also open yearround from dawn to dusk. Bsbo teams research with education to promote bird conservation.
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