Last Sunday, two of my friends and I drove west to Ohio for the Biggest Week in American Birding. This was my third year going to the festival and it just keeps getting better! We tortured ourselves during the drive by following the tweets coming in from guides about the great birds they were seeing. In the prior years, we went to Magee Marsh on arrival, but a certain tweet changed our minds.
Least Bittern and White-faced Ibis currently being seen at Metzger Marsh. – Rob Ripma
— Biggest Week (@BiggestWeek) May 11, 2014
We ended up heading to Metzger Marsh instead and were instantly greeted by three White-faced Ibises foraging out in the open. This was a life bird for all three of us and the scope views were amazing. What a way to begin our tip!
White-faced Ibis life birds to start our festivities!
After exploring Metzger for a bit, we headed to Magee so that we could stretch our legs some more on the boardwalk. I don’t think we got past the loop at 7a because the birds were too good to pass up. My friend, Jon, was racking up life birds like crazy – not only that, but they were great views. I had a Prothonotary Warbler within an arm’s reach; he was so close that I had trouble focusing on him at times. He even landed on the bench that I was sitting on with no mind to me or the other birders going crazy around him.
This Prothonotary Warbler was too busy eating to care about his paparazzi
It was hard to leave, but we had to pick up a few groceries, check into our hotel and eventually eat dinner (at 10PM…). I also really wanted to get my hands on Athena, Leica’s Wandering Ultravids, so that I could be one of many people honored to see birds through a pair of binoculars who is on a big year.
I will get more into what Athena is, my experience with “her” and that day’s trip in a future post. One highlight from that day that I will mention now is the extremely rare bird that we chased after lunch.
Five of eight Black-bellied Whistling Ducks who were way out of range.
These eight Black-bellied Whistling Ducks (plus two more) showed up the same day we did, but we chose to see the Ibises on our way in instead. Thankfully, they hung around and were re-found the next day in an excellent spot. You did not need a scope to appreciate the beauty of these birds! I saw one of these in Costa Rica a few years ago, but this was a much better look and my US-lifer.
The next day, we started at the Magee Marsh boardwalk and the good birds just kept on coming with more excellent views of them. Every time we tried to go somewhere else, something good kept us from leaving. We walked the boardwalk from the west end to the east end and back again.
Bay-breasted Warblers were everywhere in all plumages!
Chestnut-sided Warbler posing beautifully
I always get good views of the Cape May Warblers at Magee
I got some of my best looks at some birds that I’ve only seen briefly, very high in trees or hidden behind brush and vines.
A very cooperative Yellow-bellied Flycatcher
This Mourning Warbler was constantly foraging near the west entrance
My best looks at a Yellow-billed Cuckoo
On our way to chase another bird, we passed by a group of people who were looking at what turned out to be a life bird for me – an Olive-sided Flycatcher. What a treat!
Other birders were looking at this Olive-sided Flycatcher that we happened to walk by
Just as we were about to leave the boardwalk to chase a Black-necked Stilt, a tweet came in that turned us right around.
Henslow's Sparrow is back out and walking around on the south side of the boardwalk # 19B – Raymond/BRANTTours
— Biggest Week (@BiggestWeek) May 13, 2014
A Henslow’s Sparrow in the middle of the woods? Another life bird for the three of us? We’ll take it!
A Henslow’s Sparrow way out of place in the woods
We finally left the boardwalk after 2PM and looked for the Black-necked Stilt that was reported on the Magee causeway. Other birders said that it flew off, so that is one bird that we did not have luck with. You can’t get them all, but you can certainly try to.
After visiting friends on our way out and being convinced to get some ice cream, we ended up driving through the Ottawa NWR Auto Tour – birds and ice cream? Score!! The water was high, so there was not much to see aside from some waterfowl and this very cooperative Dunlin who was right off the road.
This Dunlin in breeding plumage made the tour worth it!
The following morning, we were invited to join our friends from Leica on the east beach to see if the night’s storms blew in a Kirtland’s Warbler. We did not get the bird, however, the experience was something to be remembered. We birded with the authors of The Warbler Guide and were also joined by actress, and birder, Lili Taylor (click her name for a great article by her in the New York Times). It’s a different experience getting ID tips from guys who really know the field marks on these birds. Thanks to them, I have mastered the Blackpoll Warbler’s song – one that I get mixed up with other high pitched Warbler calls.
We went back to the boardwalk where we photographed birds from the famous boardwalk tower and wandered around in search of other cooperative subjects. Rain started to threaten the skies so we decided to hop into the car and chase another tweet to get my friends a new life bird.
Red-necked Phalarope spinning at Pearson Park Wetland complex. Look from picnic table between cabins-Lpeyton
— Biggest Week (@BiggestWeek) May 14, 2014
We arrived at Pearson Metropark and parked the car to eat our lunch. We strategically parked next to the marsh where we saw a Sora two days prior. The bird was seen within seconds, but it scooted back into the reeds. We kept an eye out as we ate our sandwiches and the bird came back out for a great showing. The three of us were able to take amazing photos of this elusive bird!
A Sora out in the open
The rain let up and we got out to look for the reported Phalarope. The bird was almost at the feet of the people who were already looking at it. I got down low on the wet rocks and waited for the bird to come near me.
Red-necked Phalarope foraging very close to the path
This. Bird. Was. Close.
See the Red-necked Phalarope in the frame with me?
That evening, like every other night, we joined up with the event’s socials to meet new people and see everyone who we’ve stayed in touch with over the years. This year, I really wanted to take a photo with Kim and Kenn Kaufman because I always forget to get photos with people. As busy as they were, they stepped aside and posed with me.
Honored to take a photo with Kim and Kenn Kaufman
I also took a photo with another birding celebrity (though, he is so modest about it) – Greg Miller, you know, the guy who Jack Black plays on The Big Year (in the movie, his name is Brad). I have to say, Jack’s fun personality fits Greg perfectly.
Me with Gregg Miller
On our last day, we woke up to heavy rain and decided to go to the boardwalk anyway. We were not surprised to see a decent amount of people wearing raincoats, umbrellas and waterproof optics enjoying the birds.
A little (ok.. a lot of) rain does not stop the birders!
All-in-all, it was another great trip. We got together with friends who we only see once a year, made some new ones along the way and saw some awesome birds. I’m already looking forward to next year!
One of the new entrances at Magee Marsh