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A big – make that BIG – birding event is planned during the peak of spring
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Birders from near and far are
expected to flock to Magee
Marsh/Crane Creek/Ottawa
National Wildlife Refuge during
The Biggest Week in American
Birding May 6 to 16. |
warbler migration in the Lake Erie Marsh Region of Northwest Ohio, known as the “Warbler Capital of the World.”
The festival, dubbed “The Biggest Week in American Birding” is hosted by Black Swamp Bird Observatory, Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge and Magee Marsh Wildlife Area, Tropical Birding and Kaufman Field Guides,.
Organizers promise the festival will be so jam-packed with workshops, warblers, free guided activities, half-day trips, keynote speakers, workshops and more warblers that it will have to be held over 11 days, from Thursday, May 6 through Sunday, May 16.
Highlights of the myriad of events offered, almost all of which will be free, include:
• Woodcock Extravaganzas to observe the extraordinary displays of these woodland shorebirds;
• Daily “warbler workouts” on the Magee boardwalk;
• Daily visits to the neighboring Ottawa NWR, a local hotspot for waterbirds;
• Multiple evening talks;
• Digiscoping workshops by optics experts;
• Birding by ear workshops;
• Presentations on world birding;
• Presentations by birding guru Kenn Kaufman on a variety of birding subjects over nine nights of the festival, including programs that focus on migration, art, and history as related to birds.
Birds, birds, everywhere
Although the number of species seen will depend on the birder, time spent and the weather patterns, it is likely that an active birder on the walks and birding alone will see the vast majority if not all of the following:
American Redstart, Black-and-white Warbler, Blackburnian Warbler, Blackpoll Warbler, Black-throated Blue Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler, Blue-winged Warbler, Canada Warbler, Cape May Warbler, Cerulean Warbler, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Golden-winged Warbler, Hooded Warbler, Magnolia Warbler, Mourning Warbler, Nashville Warbler, Northern Parula, Northern Waterthrush, Orange-crowned Warbler, Ovenbird, Palm Warbler, Pine Warbler, Prothonotary Warbler, Tennessee Warbler, Wilson’s Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler. Several others such as Yellow-throated Warbler and Worm-eating Warbler are possible. In addition, the super-rare Kirtland’s Warbler also passes through, and has been seen during this period, but it is not to be expected.
In addition to warblers, there will be plenty of other birds – no birder is likely to get bored in this area in May. The marshlands around Magee Marsh and Ottawa NWR hold vast numbers of waterbirds such as swans, heron, and egrets.
Ottawa NWR is drawing down water levels in some areas so birders will be able to get great looks at most of the inland shorebird species.
Children are welcome if accompanied by a parent or guardian. Family walks are offered at Ottawa NWR every day, so there is ample opportunity for everyone to go birding.
Workshops, bus tours, and evening programs require pre-registration. To register on-line, visit www.biggestweekinamericanbirding.com and click the registration button. Participants may select as many events as their schedule permits, except for the bus trips to Oak Openings, which are limited to one visit per person with pre-registration, and secondary visits based on bookings.
The Ottawa-based bus trips to Cedar Point NWR are also limited to one per person with Ohio residents getting first chance at access to this very special reserve. Others can register on a standby basis.
No registration is required for the guided bird walks, family/beginner bird walks, and shorebird and waterbird bird walks. Those wishing to participate just need to show up at the designated location at the designated time.
For more information before the event, call the BSBO at 419-898-4070 or Tropical Birding at 800-348-5941 or visit www.biggestweekinamericanbirding.com, where a complete schedule of events is available.
Birders from near and far are expected to flock to Magee Marsh/Crane Creek/Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge during The Biggest Week in American Birding May 6 to 16.
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