Within the last few decades, the area centered on Magee Marsh Wildlife Area
in n.w. Ohio has gained recognition as one of the finest places in North
America to witness spring migration.  Most longtime Ohio birders are very
familiar with the Magee region; but for those who are new to birding or new
to Ohio, here are some sources of information that may be helpful.

If you haven't heard of the area at all, there's an overview in this
feature article that we wrote for Birding, the magazine of the American
Birding Association, in 2010: http://www.aba.org/birding/v42n1p38.pdf

The Black Swamp Bird Observatory (BSBO) ( http://www.bsbo.org/ ), which has
its headquarters at the entrance to Magee Marsh, maintains a series of
"birding pages" with many kinds of information for birders; the link is
here: http://www.bsbo.org/birding/

Links from the "birding pages" include directions and maps for local
birding sites. The single most famous local site is the boardwalk at Magee
Marsh. This boardwalk winds for almost a mile through a small woodlot
between the marshes and Lake Erie, and great concentrations of migrants can
be seen along its length and along the edges of the adjacent parking lot.
For easy communication about the locations of birds on the boardwalk,
numbers are etched into the railing, so that birders can report things like
"The Golden-winged Warbler is being seen at #14." To find these numbers,
it's a good idea to carry a map that shows their locations; you can pick up
such a map at Black Swamp Bird Observatory, or print out your own from this
link: http://www.bsbo.org/birding/pdf/magee_marsh_boardwalk_map_and_text.pdf
    ..An overview map of Magee Marsh can be printed out from this link:
http://www.bsbo.org/birding/pdf/Magee_Marsh_Map.pdf

During the migration season, especially in late spring, some of us study
the weather and try to predict which days will be best for seeing migrants.
We post these predictions, along with reports on recent sightings, on this
blog: http://cranecreekbirding.blogspot.com/

The Black Swamp Bird Observatory (BSBO) runs a springtime bird festival
called "The Biggest Week in American Birding," scheduled for May 3-12 this
year. This festival actually has the effect of reducing the crowds on the
Magee boardwalk, since we hand out maps and directions to many other local
sites, and run field trips all over a three-county surrounding area. For
anyone coming to bird in the area, even if they're not registered for the
festival, there is a wealth of information to be found in the Biggest Week
Visitors' Guide. Printed copies of the Guide can be picked up at many sites
throughout n.w. Ohio, but it's also viewable online at
http://issuu.com/presspublications/docs/americanbirding2013new

It's worthwhile to consider registering for the Biggest Week (
http://www.biggestweekinamericanbirding.com/ ) even if you're not
interested in any of the workshops, field trips, or programs; registration
entitles you to various discounts at local restaurants and other
businesses, and gives you free access to some fun social events.  Online
registration is now closed, but you can register in person (for a reduced
rate) at either BSBO or the Lodge at Maumee Bay State Park starting on May
2nd.

If you're on Twitter, you can sign up to follow the Biggest Week - find it
at @BiggestWeek - and have up-to-the-minute bird sightings sent straight to
your smartphone.

The Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge, immediately west of Magee Marsh,
protects a huge tract of valuable bird habitat.  Most of the refuge is
closed to the public most of the time, but the auto tour route is scheduled
to be open every day May 3-12, the same dates as the Biggest Week In
American Birding.  The refuge is also running a number of activities during
that time; see the refuge website for details
( http://www.fws.gov.refuge/ottawa/ ).

Half a mile north of Route 2 on the road into Magee Marsh is the
Sportsmen's Migratory Bird Center, maintained by Ohio's Division of
Wildlife.  Along with permanent displays and exhibits on natural history,
the center currently has an exhibit of fantastic warbler images by
brilliant Ohio photographer Brian Zwiebel, well worth taking the time to
see.  The center also serves as headquarters for the Friends Of Magee Marsh
(FOMM).  Among other activities, FOMM has organized several sessions of
removing invasive Garlic Mustard from along the Magee boardwalk, thereby
enhancing the habitat for native plants and making it easier for us all to
see Connecticut Warblers later in the season!  If you're in the area during
one of their scheduled sessions, consider joining the amazing Dottie
McDowell and other FOMM volunteers in this worthwhile work.

Finally, if you are coming to the area for birding, please stop at the
Black Swamp Bird Observatory (just north of Ohio State Route 2 at the
entrance to Magee Marsh Wildlife Area) for information and birding maps,
and to check out the book store and "window on wildlife." The observatory
is open every day in the month of May.  BSBO works year-round to promote
research, education, and conservation throughout Ohio and the surrounding
regions, and it's a good organization for birders to know.

Kenn and Kimberly Kaufman
Oak Harbor, Ohio

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