Spring Migration in Northwest Ohio
Magee Marsh, Ottawa NWR, and Area
May 15-18, 2016

The anticipation of the colors and songs of spring migration is something that every birder experiences. There is probably no better place to satisfy that feeling than the shores of Lake Erie in Northwest Ohio – recently voted the number one birding site in the U.S. We’ll visit during the “Biggest Week in American Birding”, when famous sites like Magee Marsh and Ottawa NWR are inundated by waves of songbirds on their way to northern breeding grounds. The natural barrier presented by the lake helps to concentrate these birds at a time when the plumage colors are at their brightest. Visual gems like Cape May, Blackburnian, and Prothonotary Warblers compete with the musical beauty of other warblers, thrushes, vireos, sparrows and more. We’ll immerse ourselves in the migration on this tour, visiting a number of locations in experiencing an incredible diversity in just a few glorious days. Over 30 species of warbler are possible, and we’ll make every effort to see as many as we can, such as Hooded, Blue-winged, Black-throated Green, Northern Parula, and Black-throated Blue. We may even turn up rarer species like Worm-eating Warbler, Kentucky Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, Connecticut Warbler, or the highly endangered Kirtland’s Warbler. Warblers aren’t nearly the whole show, and we’ll sort through Red-eyed and Philadelphia Vireos, Swainson’s and Gray-cheeked Thrushes, and maybe Black-billed and Yellow-billed Cuckoos. We’ll spend time in an oak savannah, looking for specialties of a western or southern feel - including Summer Tanager, Blue Grosbeak, Prairie Warbler, Lark Sparrow, Cerulean Warbler, and many more! We will also observe and appreciate the wide selection of waterfowl, seabirds, and shorebirds that the region affords – beautiful Black-bellied Plovers and Ruddy Turnstones, and others. Get ready to experience what some have called the “warbler capital of the world.” This tour can be combined with our Feathered Jewels to Point Pelee, ON for an all-out immersion in spring migration (we’ll throw in the connecting night’s accommodations for free). 

Day One: Arrive at the hotel by 1:30 in the afternoon. After checking on our accommodations, we’ll dive right into birding at the Magee Marsh Wildlife Area and an introduction to the region’s birds, before enjoying dinner at a nearby restaurant. This will give us all a chance to get acquainted and discuss the possibilities presented by Northwest Ohio. Overnight Port Clinton.

Day Two: Have an early breakfast and leave by 6:00 a.m. We will spend the day visiting several nearby areas in getting the most out of the birding, such Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge, Metzger Marsh Wildlife Area, and a return to Magee. These sites will allow us to explore the varied habitats within the region, traversing woodlands, beaches, fields, and marshes in our search for an array of birds. The day’s birding will conclude around 5:30 p.m., with a review of the day’s sightings over dinner to follow. Overnight Port Clinton.

Day Three: We will once again have an early breakfast before hitting the birding trail by 6:00 a.m. We’ll start the day a short ways to the west, where the remnants of the oak savannah are encountered at Oak Openings Preserve. This very unique habitat will host a different suite of birds, adding to our overall experience. The afternoon will be spent scouring our path back for birds that have eluded us, such as a variety of shorebirds, marshbirds, and waterfowl. A relaxing dinner will once again allow for a review of the day’s birds. Overnight Port Clinton.

Day Four: A return to the wonders of Magee Marsh. We will focus on the passerines and other migrants concentrated along the boardwalk of the park, and locating species we may have missed earlier in the tour. We will bird until noon, then conclude the tour with a summary over lunch. (Those taking part in our Feathered Jewels tour in Point Pelee will continue on to Leamington, Ontario). 

Tour Details 

This tour includes three nights of accommodations at a comfortable hotel! All the non-smoking rooms are furnished with either a queen sized bed or two double beds. Also included are any park entrance fees, as well as all of the meals, from dinner on Day One to lunch on Day Four, excluding any alcoholic beverages.

Professional guide services are provided for the duration of the tour. Brett M. Ewald will be the tour leader on this exciting excursion. As well as being an accomplished birder, naturalist, and biologist with experience from around the country, Brett has led many tours in the Northeast and spent countless hours observing the species to be encountered on this tour. He looks forward to sharing the wonders of Northwest Ohio with you!

Besides the spectacular birding, the annual “Biggest Week in American Birding” will be taking place at this time, and features a number of birding related activities and products. 

On this tour, we will be caravaning to the various birding and dining locations. Transportation throughout the tour is the responsibility of the participant(s). 

Tour Pricing
Prices listed are per person, based on your level of occupancy. 

• Double: $795.00 
  
• Single: $995.00
  

Terms and Conditions
Please fill out completely and sign the Extended Tours Registration Form and mail to Lakeshore Nature Tours, along with a $125.00 per person deposit. Make your check or money order payable to Lakeshore Nature Tours. Any balance due is required March 20, 2016. Confirmation and an informational packet, with finalized tour itinerary and details, will be sent upon guarantee of tour departure, based on adequate participation. A full refund of tour payments will be executed from Lakeshore Nature Tours for any cancellation resulting from inadequate participation. If the tour is full, a waiting list will be taken, and filled according to the date of registration. A $25 service fee will apply to a participant cancellation before March 20, 2016. Cancellations between March 20, 2016 and April 30, 2016 will forfeit the entire $125.00 deposit. After April 30, 2016, no refund will be available unless the vacant spot is filled, minus the $125 deposit.