Quiet Time at Magee

The last couple of weeks have been jam-packed with excitement for the birdwatchers and weedpickers in Ohio. After several days volunteering at the Biggest Week in American Birding, I met up with some botany friends and had an excellent time at Flora-Quest 2014.

The boardwalk at Magee Marsh

 But when it was all over and time to wind down and gather my senses again, I headed to Magee.  That may sound odd, to those of you think of the hustle and bustle of the lively birding scene on the boardwalk.  However, with some proper timing (and a little rain) you can get the boardwalk mostly to yourself.

Black-throated Green Warbler

 I tend to linger.  Having no real interest in seeing every bird, or checking-off every species, there is time for being in the moment. Mostly I love to hear the bird song and calls.  For me, the boardwalk at Magee is synonymous with the melodic song of Warbling Vireo.  Brilliantly-colored Baltimore Orioles hold forth from the tree tops, demanding your ear- and your eyes.

The sounds of Magee are my greatest pleasure. Listen to the waves and layers of bird calls.  Don't be offended if I keep to myself, I do my best relaxing by just listening and taking it all in.

Gooseberry in full bloom.

 Yes, the plants are a part of it too.  I am constantly scanning, watching for blooms, pollinators and the clouds of tiny midges that rest on the foliage. They must be mighty tasty, as warblers love them so!

A Tennessee  Warbler dips his beak in nectar.

 If one watches closely, it is surprising what you may see.

Tree Swallow against a dramatic sky.

 The Tree Swallows chatter and fly wildly about.  Follow them, and you are likely to find their nesting cavity.

Veery rules the lower story.

 Remember to look down.  Some of the most interesting things are moving at your feet.  The  snags and tangles on the ground are likely cover for an Ovenbird or Veery.

A young rabbit feed near the boardwalk.

Be "veery, veery" quiet- and you might see a baby bunny.  This little guy was feeding on the vegetation near the boardwalk.  I snapped his photo with only my phone.

Moss covered logs are centers of activity.

 Watch those logs in the water.  Often they are a basking spot for the rare Blandings turtle.  Look for yellow throats to confirm their ID.

This mossy log was being utilized as a grocery store by the local female Red-wing Blackbird.  I spent a full thirty minutes watching her work the shore line, turning leaves, checking under moss and generally acting if this was her regular territory. She owned this section of the woods.  Even the non-warblers can be interesting to watch.

There is a colorful new sign, but the same old magic awaits.

The Magee boardwalk got some colorful new signs this year.  Sometimes the boardwalk takes on a bit of a carnival atmosphere, and gets a bit crowded.  That's all good, if people are enjoying the birds and learning. Hopefully they will also pitch in to conserve habitat and protect those birds.

After all, lack of habitat is exactly why Magee Marsh is one of the best places in Ohio to watch the spring migration. This magical woodland is a "migrant trap," being surrounded by lakes, marshes, and open corn fields.  These birds zero-in on the best place possible to get a meal before they cross the lake on the final leg of their spring journey.

This is a sanctuary for the birds.  And don't mind me if I quietly bask in my own little moment.  Magee is sanctuary for those of us who find peace in nature, as well.

One Last Longing Look

After a week- plus (or should I say a "plus" week!)- at Magee Marsh and environs*, it is hard to give it up. Knowing the wood-warblers will soon be gone is akin to taking a last heart-breaking glance at a loved one embarking on a long journey. Even as those feathered jewels delight us with their very presence, they have a much larger role to play than providing entertainment for birders. These neo-tropical migrants must complete their journey north and their life-cycle destiny: procreation.

Saturday morning, The Wilderness Center and Greater Mohican Audubon Society will gather on the back-side of the boardwalk at Magee for the last stroll of the the 2010 spring migration. There could still be some interesting bird-life about, and a possible chance for sighting those elusive late arrivals -the Connecticut Warbler. Today a "Twitter" went out from BSBO that a Connecticut was being heard in the Magee Boardwalk parking lot! So our excitement builds...

But one last look at a late season Black-throated Green would be tonic for my soul as well. I have no need for the rarest or the hardest to procure. The simple beauty of this "common" warbler aways quickens my heart.

Or Parula, gleaning insects from on high, singing his emphatic song that always ends with an exclamation!

Black and White Warbler, the pied creeper played hide-and-seek with me all week long.

......................................................photo Dane Adams

Ever the exhibitionist- Gray Catbird- the rufous-bottomed leaf-flipper, chatters and scolds throughout the boardwalk, always making me smile. She may continue on at the marsh, but pairs will quiet considerably as they incubate eggs and feed their young. One can't always be the life of the party.

...

And as migration winds down, summer arrives...allowing this birder a slower pace for rest and reflection on the endless cycle of nature and our very small place in this ancient world.

...

*If you would like to express your appreciation for Magee with a little "pay-back" labor, you are not too late for the last garlic mustard pull. Scheduled from 1-4 pm on May 25, 26, and 27th- any help is appreciated. Check in With Mary Warren and her crew at the west end of the boardwalk. They will be keeping track of volunteers and number of bags pulled. Thanks to the volunteers who are making a huge difference in the quality of Magee's habitat.

More from Magee

International Migratory Bird Day at Magee attracted a much thinner crowd this year, something about rainstorms and tornado warnings scared off some of the casual birders. But we serious "warbler madness" types were still out in good number.



This magnificent Prothonotary warbler is just one of the 20 odd reasons we are willing to risk lightening and funnel clouds. With a window period of two weeks for these neo-tropical jewels to pass through Ohio on their way to the breeding grounds in Canada, we know if we miss it now, we will have to wait another full year until warblers in breeding plumage pass through again. So timing is everything.

....... .... Photo by Larry Richardson

Timing- and location. Here is your blogger, the Weedpicker, perched on a railing trying to claim a view from behind the front row birders. Some folks attend hockey or football games, we're just rallying for the Golden-wings, warblers that is!

And by mid afternoon, the crowds were being thrilled with glimpses of Black-throated Greens, Bay-breasted Warblers, and the ever popular Golden-winged Warbler.

..................................................photo by Sue Evanoff

Friend Sue Evanoff fired off this shot of the elusive male warbler, with the iconic golden patch on its wing. Many tried, and most of us failed to focus on this little beauty as it flitted about the leaves in search of supper.

We found a second Golden-winged Warbler at Metzger Marsh, where we enjoyed birding with some of Holmes county's "plain" birders. Many of our area's Amish are excellent birders and whole families come out to see these colorful migrants. After one all-too-brief look, an elderly gentleman remarked, "Oh, it is pleasing to see, sure enough." And indeed, he is right.

...

If you are interested in our Holmes County Amish, and wonder about birding in their midst, you may want to listen to a recent interview on Amish Wisdom, a radio show hosted by Author Suzanne Wood Fisher.

Warbler Neck Explained

The annual pilgrimage to Magee Marsh is a must for all Ohio birders, even the bad days are fantastic! Where else can you see these brilliantly plumed, cell-phone sized neotropical migrants- up close and personal?


Magnolia Warber photo by Dave Lewis. (Dave is easy- and gives these to me for free! So support his work with a purchase at the upcoming OOS Conference)

Magnolia Warbler is one of the most common- of these anything-but-common wood warblers. I will never tire of looking at these beautiful birds. Just a Maggie? Heck yes, bring them on!

Warbler Neck Explained photo by Cheryl Harner

While visiting the boardwalk at Magee during a "warbler fallout" in 2006, we had the good fortune of an up close and personal look at a stunning Canada Warbler. While others nearby were getting photos of the bird, I realized how cool it was for birders to see a bird so close, we were not even using our binoculars! That was a fantastic day on the boardwalk, indeed.

We may yet have a few good days left for warblering in the coming week. So plan to join OOS in Perrysburg, Ohio for our Saturday afternoon conference speakers, Kenn and Kim Kaufman from BSBO and Jim Berry from RTPI- 2 programs/$10.00 > E mail me for details. And arrange to spend some time on the boardwalk before or after: it is a magical place in May.