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Birders!
Ottawa County and Lake Erie Islands Region, is one of the top birding spots in North America. The unique geography here provides the shortest route across Lake Erie for migratory birds, plus the islands create "stepping stones" for resting spots between Ottawa County and Pelee Island Canada. Ottawa County is also home to Ohio's only National Wildlife Refuge, the Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge, and the State of Ohio's Magee Marsh. Wildlife Area, Toussaint Creek Wildlife Area, Little Portage Wildlife Area, Crane Creek State Park, and East Harbor State Park. This makes Ottawa County home to a great wealth of wetlands, marshes, woodlands, grasslands, boardwalks, and beaches ideal for attracting migratory birds, nesting birds, and other watchable wildlife.
Ottawa County is also home to one of Ohio's largest Bald Eagle populations. Once nearly extirpated from the state due to habitat loss and toxic contamination, Bald Eagles can now be seen regularly.
The largest concentration of Black Ducks in North America can be found during spring and fall migration at the southern end of Ottawa County in the Sandusky Bay, near the mouth of Muddy Creek. Other waterfowl commonly sighted here include Canvasback, Redhead, Scaup, Bufflehead, Mergansers, Shovlers, Teal, Wood Duck, Mallard, Goldeneye, Ruddy Duck, Pintail, and Canada Goose.
The largest concentration of Black Ducks in North America can be found during spring and fall migration at the southern end of Ottawa County in the Sandusky Bay, near the mouth of Muddy Creek. Other waterfowl commonly sighted here include Canvasback, Redhead, Scaup, Bufflehead, Mergansers, Shovlers, Teal, Wood Duck, Mallard, Goldeneye, Ruddy Duck, Pintail, and Canada Goose.
Ottawa County is the site of the first successful re-introduction of the grand white Trumpeter Swans in Ohio. These largest of waterfowl (7-foot wingspan), had been extirpated from the state, but are now nesting in Ottawa County marshes.
A large Great Blue Heron rookery can be seen from the Little Portage Wildlife Area by driving to the end of the road and looking across the Little Portage River to a large woodlot on the other side. The Great White Egret, and its smaller cousin the Snowy Egret, are becoming more common in area marshes as well.
Be sure to visit the Sportsmen's Migratory Bird Center at Mage Marsh for up-to-date bird sightings in the area, wildlife displays, and other wildlife information.
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