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Birding In Shores & Islands Ohio

Welcome to the Warbler Capital of the World! From Magee Marsh to Old Woman Creek, you'll discover so many reasons to spend another day in Shores & Islands Ohio, one of the nation's best areas for birding.

Discounts are available for birders visiting the Shores & Islands Ohio area. Head over to the Shore Savings to check them out. Don't forget to get your Shores & Islands Ohio Play + Stay Travel Guide to plan a vacation, weekend getaway or mini-break to Sandusky, Cedar Point, Port Clinton, Put-in-Bay, or Kelleys Island – some of the best vacation spots in Ohio. It includes travel tips, Lake Erie tourist attractions, a map, and our Shore Savings Card for discounts offered throughout our region. We'd Lake Erie Love to see you!

Spring Migration

The Warbler Capital of the World

Waterfowl migration begins in late February, with ducks, geese, and swans moving through, joined by early returners like American Woodcock, blackbirds, and crows. By early March, raptors such as Red-shouldered Hawks and Bald Eagles appear on southerly winds, along with Snow Buntings, Eastern Meadowlarks, and Song Sparrows. Peak waterfowl migration occurs in mid-to-late March, bringing large flocks to Lake Erie and nearby marshes. Early shorebirds like Pectoral Sandpipers arrive, and hardy species such as Tree Swallows and Eastern Phoebes return. Rusty Blackbirds, Fox Sparrows, and Golden-crowned Kinglets also increase.

April sees waterfowl migration tapering off, while raptors, shorebirds, and songbirds continue moving in. Early shorebirds like yellowlegs and American Golden-Plovers become common, along with flickers, thrushes, Winter Wrens, and Yellow-rumped Warblers. By mid-month, Neotropical migrants, including warblers, vireos, and orioles, arrive in growing numbers. Black-and-white, Palm, and Black-throated Green Warblers are numerous, while rarer species like Worm-eating and Hooded Warblers may appear. Shorebird diversity rises, and herons, egrets, and rails reach peak numbers.

May brings dramatic waves of migration, with warblers, flycatchers, and thrushes surging in. Early warblers like Palm and Yellow-rumped fade as Magnolia, Blackpoll, and Bay-breasted Warblers peak. Thrushes, cuckoos, Indigo Buntings, and Bobolinks increase, while shorebird numbers remain high. By late May, spotting migrants becomes more difficult with dense foliage, but Connecticut and Mourning Warblers, flycatchers, and Red-eyed Vireos peak.

Migration slows in early June, though Swainson’s Thrush and Yellow-bellied Flycatchers linger along the lakeshore. Shorebird movement remains strong, with Dunlin, Ruddy Turnstone, and White-rumped Sandpipers reaching peak numbers, while most songbirds settle into breeding territories.

 

To learn more, visit Black Swamp Bird Observatory site for more information and details.

May 9th through May 18th

BWIAB Logo

The new Ohio Lake Erie Birding Trail Guidebook is available now for $15. Packed with detailed site descriptions for 90 premier birding locations, maps, species highlights, and expert tips, this beautifully updated edition enhances every birding adventure, including warblers in spring, shorebirds in summer, and raptors in winter.
 
Designed for birders of all experience levels, the guidebook serves as both a navigational tool and an educational resource, emphasizing conservation efforts and responsible wildlife viewing.

ODNR Birding Trail Cover

ODNR Birding Trail

ODNR Birding Trail app

To enhance accessibility and engagement, the Division of Wildlife has also launched the Lake Erie Birding Trail on the OuterSpatial app, allowing users to access site information, interactive maps, and real-time updates from their mobile devices. This digital platform expands the reach of the trail, making it easier for birders to plan visits, track species, and connect with other outdoor enthusiasts. Ohio Trails+ is available for download on both iOS and Android devices.
 
The guidebook and trail’s addition to the OuterSpatial app highlights Lake Erie’s importance as a migratory corridor and emphasizes conservation efforts to protect habitats. Ohio Sea Grant played a vital role in developing these resources by incorporating the latest research on coastal ecosystems and bird populations.

 

For more information on the Lake Erie Birding Trail, to purchase the guidebook, or to download the OuterSpatial app, visit lakeerieohiobirding.info.

Birding Hot Spots

Birding Discounts!

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Need a break or to recharge from the day?

Check out some of many events in the area, and stop in to one our many locations for some great food or a place to spend the night. 

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Places To Stay

Planning your Lake Erie vacation has never been easier. With hotels, motels, bed & breakfasts, campgrounds, rentals and more, you'll find the perfect…

Miller's Table at Sawmill Creek

Restaurants

Enjoy delicious, authentic cuisine and local favorites at our countless foodie destinations.

Jackson Street Pier

Events

Discover all the exciting local events happening during your next trip to Shores & Islands Ohio.

Gideon Owen wine glasses

Wineries & Cideries

Explore our wineries and sip never-ending varieties of wine, from award-winning merlots to small batch fruit wines. Cheers!

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Shores & Islands Ohio

Shores & Islands Ohio Welcome Centers

East · 125 E. Water St., Sandusky, OH 44870
419.625.2984 · 800.255.3743
West · 770 S.E. Catawba Rd. (SR 53), Port Clinton, OH 43452
419.734.4386 · 800.441.1271

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