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1.
MAUMEE BAY STATE PARK: From Route 2, go 2.5
miles north on N. Curtice Road to the park entrance.
Good birding all year, with gulls and waterfowl at
beach, wintering raptors in open fields, migrant
songbirds along boardwalk through forest. Campground
and lodge. Nature center: (419) 836-9117. For a map,
click here.
2.
MALLARD CLUB MARSH WILDLIFE AREA:
From Route 2, go 2.5 miles north on Cousino Road and
then 0.2 miles east on Cedar Point Road to the parking
area on the north side of the road. Trails lead out
into the marsh, a good habitat for bitterns and rails in
the warmer months, many water birds all year. For a
map,
click here.
3.
METZGER MARSH WILDLIFE AREA:
Just east of the village of Bono, Route 2 makes a major
curve to run south. The well-marked turnoff to Metzger
is on the curve. The marsh is outstanding for waterfowl
in migration and for nesting marsh birds in summer,
while the woodlot at the end of the road is excellent
for migrating songbirds. For a BSBO birding map of the
area,
click here.
4.
KRAUSE / STANGE ROADS:
From the Metzger Marsh turnoff, Route 2 runs south for
more than 2 miles. A short distance before it bends
eastward again, Krause Road runs to the east for a mile,
intersecting with Stange Road, which runs south to meet
Route 2. Fields along these two roads have hosted many
interesting migrants, including shorebirds and hawks. A
viewing platform near the junction of Krause and Stange
gives a distant view of one impoundment of the Ottawa
Refuge next door.
5.
OTTAWA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE:
The main entrance is on Route 2, about 18 miles east of
Toledo/Oregon and about 17 miles west of Port Clinton,
or about one mile east of the junction with Route 590 or
two miles west of the junction with Route 19. Walking
trails give access to woods, marsh, and mudflats,
providing excellent birding all year. An auto tour
route is open one or two days per month, and the
visitors’ center has fine educational displays. Phone
419 898-0014.
6.
CRANE CREEK STATE PARK - MAGEE
MARSH WILDLIFE AREA: The entrance road
leaves the north side of Route 2, about 18 miles east of
Toledo/Oregon and about 16 miles west of Port Clinton,
or about half a mile east of the entrance to Ottawa NWR.
The Black Swamp Bird Observatory nature center is
located just north of Route 2 on the entrance road. The
boardwalk through the woods at the end of the road is
famous as one of the best places in the world to see
warblers up close in May, but the whole area is
excellent for birding all year. For the BSBO birding
map of the area,
click here.
For a map of the Magee Marsh Board Walk
click here.
7.
PICKEREL CREEK WILDLIFE AREA:
On the north side of U.S. Highway 6, about 7 miles east
of Fremont. A little more than half a mile east of
County Road 256 is a parking area with an observation
tower giving an overview of part of the area, and trails
along the dikes provide access. Often an excellent area
for shorebirds and waterfowl in migration. For a map,
click here.
8.
EAST HARBOR STATE PARK:
From Port Clinton, go east on Route 163 about four miles
to Route 269 and then north about a mile to the park
entrance on the right. The park’s campground and beach
are popular in summer but the area is outstanding for
birding all year, with marshes, woods, and big
concentrations of migrant songbirds in season. Park
office: 419 734-4424. For a map,
click here.
9.
KELLEYS ISLAND: This
beautiful island (accessible by auto ferry from
Marblehead, on Route 163 east of Port Clinton) is a
popular vacation spot, but also a fine birding area,
especially during migration. For a map,
click here and for more information,
click here.
10.
PIPE CREEK WILDLIFE AREA:
From U.S. Highway 6 on the east side of Sandusky, turn
north on Cedar Point Drive, then turn right at River
Avenue (just after the McDonald’s). The small parking
lot for Pipe Creek is at the end of River Avenue.
Impoundments are good for shorebirds, waterfowl, and
wading birds, while the woods hold fallouts of songbirds
during migration. Note that traffic going to Cedar
Point Amusement Park can be very heavy on warm
weekends. For a map,
click here.
11.
SHELDON MARSH STATE NATURE
RESERVE: Entrance is on the north side of
U.S. Highway 6, about six miles east of Sandusky and
about two miles west of Huron. Trails lead out to Lake
Erie shoreline. Good for marsh birds most of year;
woodlots host big concentrations of migrant songbirds in
spring and fall.
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