The Biggest Week in American Birding has begun and runs through May 14. Over the past few weeks, nature photographer Art Weber has provided the Journal with a preview of some birds that residents and visitors to northwest Ohio may see at area parks.
“Unseasonably cold weather has pushed back the normal arrival of some migrating songbirds, but things should pick up considerably with warmer weather predicted for the coming week,” Mr. Weber said, adding, “It would not be surprising to enjoy a massive influx of Neotropical migrants.”
The Black Swamp Bird Observatory notes that in the migrant traps–Magee Marsh Bird Trail is the most notable example– warbler counts may jump to nearly 30 species overnight. Other Neotropical migrants will abruptly pick up in numbers and variety as well.
Every morning in May is like Christmas to a birder. The action is feverish with species coming, staying and going. He advises bird watchers to keep their field guides handy.
Mr. Weber believes that now is a good time to consider putting up an oriole feeder featuring grape jelly and halves of oranges. Above, a Baltimore oriole enjoys a refueling stop at a feeder specially designed to hold a small dish of grape jelly and make an orange half or two available–both are oriole favorites.
To see a variety of different birds, area residents can visit Magee and Howard Marshes, Maumee Bay State Park, as well as any of the Metroparks or Wood County parks. Virtually any natural area can hold great birds at this time of year. Streams or river channels can be migration corridors, and neighborhood woodlots can hold surprises.
