Bird Fest
During the Biggest Week in American Birding (May 6-15), Northwest Ohio’s near perfect rivers, lakes, parks, refuges and preserves attract migratory birds (including warblers, orioles, tanagers, grosbeaks and more). Flocking right behind them are over 12,000 visitors from around the world visit our area to birdwatch.
Magee Marsh, the warbler migratory capital of the world, allows birders to see over 30 colorful species of these beautiful little songbirds. During Bird Week, look for volunteers in gold caps who will help locate and identify birds. Stop by Black Swamp Bird Observatory for a birding map before heading next door to Magee Marsh. For info, birding locations, maps and a downloadable activities guide go to biggestweekinamericanbirding.com.
Black Swamp Bird Observatory,
13551 West State Route 2 | Oak Harbor
bsbo.org
Magee Marsh
West State Route 2 | Oak Harbor
mageemarsh.org
Birds at the parks
The metroparks offer great birding identification hikes perfect for beginners and families:
- Beginning Birding Walk: 10am-noon on May 7, 11 & 14
- Family Bird Walk: 10am-noon on May 8 & 15
Meet at Pearson Metropark lot #4 | 761 Lallendorf Rd., Oregon
metroparkstoledo.com | Free
Lake Erie Birding
Experienced paddlers can explore the western end of Lake Erie and Grassy Island during the Bird and Kayak Adventure from 8-10am or 10:30am-12:30pm on Wednesday, May 11. $44/person. Registration required.
Cullen Park | 4526 N. Summit St. | metroparkstoledo.com
For guided bird hikes and workshops in the Cullen Park area,
visit cullenpark.org
For additional birding scope out the
Ohio Lake Erie Birding Trail and visit lakeeriebirding.ohiodnr.gov.
Bike Month and Blue Week Blend
On May 14, combine your biking passion and your love for nature with the Toledo Area Bicyclists’ 4th Annual Blue Week Big Blue Rendezvous, a 43-mile round trip journey through some of the scenic Oak Openings region. Ride pace will be 18-20 mph, lunch provided. Helmets and registration required.
8am-11:30pm | Secor Metropark | 10001 W. Central Ave., Berkey
Email [email protected] for more info | Toledoareabicyclists.org
.png)
Blue Adventure
Blue Week (May 14-21) is a celebration of the “globally rare Oak Openings region” (NW Ohio and SE Michigan). This is an incredible opportunity to explore and discover these ecosystems, native plants and wildlife with Green Ribbon Initiative partners who really know and care about this area. Take guided hikes to witness the blue karner butterflies, masses of blue blooming lupines, blue spotted salamanders and big and little bluestem grasses, as well as wetlands, frogs, birds, snakes, bats and more in local metroparks, preserves and prairies.
For activity and event locations, visit oakopenings.org.
Bird Ride
At Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge (14000 W. State Route 2, Oak Harbor, a half mile west of Magee Marsh), take a self-guided seven mile driving route to catch views of beautiful natural areas and birds year round.
For more information, visit fws.gov/refuge/ottawa.
.png)
