My first word was “duck,” so it comes as no surprise that I grew up to be a birder. I have been watching birds my whole life and go looking for birds now every Sunday. Rain or shine.
Yes I have my own autographed Kenn Kaufman bird guide.
And a Biggest Week T-shirt.
So, of course, I join the thousands of fellow birders from all over the United States in
going to Maggee Marsh during The Biggest Week.
Armed with only my binoculars and my iPhone I am going to take you on a short pictorial tour of some of the sights seen between April 27th and May 18th. Luckily all 4 days the weather was perfect. Let’s face it. Winter was brutal. But it’s nice out now, so let’s go birding!
*The bird pictures were taken from Wikipedia. I go to see the birds. Not to photograph.
April 27th
A few people viewing a bald eagle refurbishing its nest. *Note how empty the parking lot is.
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Looks like the boardwalk was renovated recently.
A few hopeful people.
The pickings are slim, but we are happy to see some white-throated sparrows.
*Note the white throat
May 4th
The birders are definitely here now and they are excited to see the warblers are too! There are plenty of other fantastic and beautiful birds to see, but the warblers are the only reason birders are here.
The warblers are flying to their breeding grounds in the boreal forest of Canada and pass through this area on their way. Most have been traveling from South America, so we’ve got to hand it to these little guys.
Here is a group of people possibly enjoying their first chestnut-sided warbler.
Rufous (brown) stripes gives this bird its name.
This young chap spotted a prothonotary warbler.
A prime specimen. This bird is considered to be why people go birding.
May 11th
I did not go to Maggee Marsh on the Biggest Day, May 10th. I have been before. It’s a zoo. It’s important to say here though that May 10th is now officially Ohio Bird Day.
Some people viewing what could have possibly been a mowed woodcock.
A very camouflaged woodcock. Not a warbler.
The boardwalk now has an entryway sign.
Ok. See. This is almost no fun. Look at these people.
All over this. A female golden winged warbler. A rare bird, so I know why they are so excited.
This woman has the right idea. Find some birds elsewhere. She spotted a black throated blue warbler.
Note the black throat.
May 18th
By this time I have seen over 19 species of warblers. Not too shabby. Let’s add a few more.
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The Biggest Week is over and the birders are still here. The warm weather and plentiful insects have kept a second wave of warblers this side of the lake.
The leaves have filled in a bit. This sometimes makes for difficult viewing.
One of the many bird photographers out today.
This guy spotted a new one for me this year.
A Wilson’s warbler.
This group spotted one of my favorites!
A bay breasted warbler
I go birding year round since there is always something to see and it’s a great reason to get outside. Next Sunday I hope to catch some of the warblers I have yet to see this year before they head up north. The only way I can find out is to go. Which I will. Until next time, Happy Birding!
A stunning blackburnian warbler to whet your senses. These are out there RIGHT NOW.
If The Biggest Week and Maggee Marsh seem a little too involved here is a blog post I wrote last year about viewing birds in the Toledo area.
https://www.toledocitypaper.com/January-Issue-1-2013/TOP-FIVE-PLACES-TO-BIRD/
