Page 9 - Leisure Living Spring 2016

Spring Birding At Ottawa
National Wildlife Refuge
By Justin Woldt, Visitor Services Manager
Flock like the birds to Northwest Ohio and ex- perience some of the best birding North America has to offer! Spring migration at “The Warbler Capital of the World” offers amazing oppor- tunities to sing with the songbirds and waddle with the waterfowl. Along Lake Erie’s southern edge, shorebirds, wading birds, and year round residents await the annual return of world class birders and famous faces. Woods and wetlands at Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge provide rest and replenishment for birds, and a place for peo- ple to soar toward a “Big Year” or search for an elusive species. Join the excitement at Ohio’s only National Wildlife Refuge; and one of the country’s largest bird festivals!
Visitors can hike over 10 miles of trails with op- portunities to see various water birds like egrets, herons and rails in the marshes, and tiny kinglets and warblers in the trees. The visitor center and a portion of the trail system are ADA accessible. The Crane Creek Estuary Trail is a favorite for
watching warblers in late April and May. The tall cottonwoods and shrubby dogwoods below pro- vide excellent feeding areas for a variety of mi- grating birds. This trail can be a photographer’s dream as the birds are often just feet in front of the lens. Some of the rarest warblers seem to show up on this trail, including the elusive Kirtland’s Warbler!
Many visitors enjoy refuge from the com- fort of their vehicle while on the Ottawa Wildlife Drive. This seven-mile one-way gravel route be- gins at the Visitor Center parking lot and travers- es a variety of habitats as it meanders through the refuge. The Wildlife Drive is open on select days from sunrise to sunset.
If you prefer to have a guide, Ottawa NWR offers guided bus and tram tours. Bus tour routes vary depending on wildlife use and activity, with many trips going to Cedar Point NWR, local restoration sites, and Navarre Marsh. Tram tours explore the hiking trail area of the refuge and offer visitors a “quick” 1 hour tour that includes woods, marshes, and Crane Creek Estuary.
The refuge is open from dawn until dusk. The visitor center is open daily from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm. All programs and events are FREE! Reser- vations are required for some events and can be made by calling 419-898-0014.
Ottawa NWR has something for everyone!
http://www.fws.gov/refuge/Ottawa
http://facebook.com/OttawaNWR
www.LeisureLivingMagazine.com
Spring 2016 LeisureLiving | 9