The Biggest Week in American Birding is just around the corner and the Journal offers a preview each week of the types of birds residents and visitors will encounter at area parks.
The 10-day festival in northwest Ohio–the Warbler Capital of the World–runs May 5 to 14, and attracts visitors from throughout the country to the shores of Lake Erie.
Bird lovers will enjoy the spring songbird migration and experience some of the best birding North America has to offer. The festival has something to offer beginner and seasoned birders alike, with bird identification workshops, guided birding trips, birding by canoe and daily walks at the world renowned Magee Marsh.
Spring migration is already underway, especially for waterfowl. Some species, including red-winged blackbirds and tree swallows, have already returned and have been here for a few weeks.
“If it’s warblers that top your list of favorites, look for the yellow-rumped warbler, a common species and typically the first to arrive in numbers, well ahead of other warblers,” said Art Weber who photographed this bird.
Formerly known as the myrtle warbler, the yellowrumped loves wooded areas. The Toledo Metroparks provide a good place to look for the birds.
“During migration, virtually anywhere nature thrives is a good place to look,” he said, adding that area wetlands like Howard Marsh Metropark, Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge and Magee Marsh Wildlife Area with its nationally known Bird Trail provide excellent viewing opportunities.
