 Spring means songbird migration in Ohio
An exciting time to bird watch
more birding info
Having spent the winter in warmer climes such as Central and South America, Mexico and the Caribbean, these springtime crooners also known as neotropicals are returning to Ohio to breed and raise their young.
Some of the best birding opportunities can be found along Lake Erie’s coast and wetlands where these tired travelers will stop briefly to meet, feed and rest before jumping north to Canada, Michigan and New England.
| STATE PARK |
EVENT |
TIMES/DETAILS |
| Sycamore |
Bird walk |
Sunday, March 27 at 4 p.m. Attendees should meet at the Overlook Picnic Area. |
| Maumee Bay |
Woodcock walk |
Saturday, April 16 at 7 p.m. at the Nature Center. |
| Mary Jane Thurston |
Waterfowl splash |
Saturday, April 23 from 10 a.m. to noon. Meet at the day lodge. |
| Van Buren |
Birds and Buds |
Saturday, April 23 from 1 to 4 p.m. Learn about migratory birds and spring wildflowers. |
| Kelleys Island |
Nest with the Birds |
Sunday, May 8 through Saturday, May 14. Attended guide bird walks along park trails. |
| Lake Hope |
Spring migration
bird walk |
Saturday, May 14 from 9 a.m. to noon starting at the Hope Furnace parking lot. |
| Shawnee |
Whippoorwill walk |
Saturday, May 14 from 8 to 10 p.m. starting at the park office. Bring a flashlight. |
It’s an exciting time for avian enthusiasts who savor the time when these small creatures return to backyard feeders and popular birding spots. Birders may already be seeing some of their perennial favorites, such as Baltimore orioles, indigo buntings, and a variety of warblers and finches.
 Other early birds include blue-headed vireos, pine warblers, and blue-gray gnatcatchers. As the weather becomes warmer, the flight of northbound neotropics increases, with May being the peak month for activity. Numbers of yellow-rumped warblers appear, as do hermit thrushes, black-throated green warblers, and chimney swifts.
Another highly anticipated returning migrant is the ruby-throated hummingbird. This incredibly small bird, weighing less than an ounce, beats its wings an average of 53 times per second in flight.
Sheldon Marsh Nature Preserve in Erie County and Magee Marsh Wildlife Area in Ottawa County offer a large concentration of warblers and other colorful songbirds. Sheldon Marsh alone is known to attract nearly 300 bird species.
 International Migratory Bird Day Saturday, May 14 at Maumee Bay State Park is one of the best times to bird watch. See bird-banding demonstrations at the nature center, enjoy guided hikes and slide shows. Call 419-836-9117 for more information.
Now is a good time to plan a birding outing. Bird watching provides a low-cost, enjoyable outdoor experience. While songbirds can be seen in nearby community parks and woodlands, Ohio’s state parks, state nature preserves and state forests provide some of the best viewing opportunities.
To receive a free Field Checklist for Birds of Ohio, you can call ODNR at (614) 265-6565. A complete list of Ohio’s Watchable Wildlife Sites can be viewed here.
|