Hundreds of millions of winged creatures flock to Northwest Ohio each spring. They are attracted by an abundant food supply of insects, plentiful water, and trees. As many as 20 million birds arrive in a single night. But they will not be alone. Thousands of people will join them during the 16th annual Biggest Week in American Birding festival.
“You can have days where there are so many birds, you hardly know where to look,” said Black Swamp Bird Observatory Executive Director Kimberly Kaufman. The event runs May 8 through May 17. “We timed it to coincide with the peak of songbird migration.”
About 80,000 people trek to the region to spot, photograph and enjoy songbirds, raptors, and waterfowl during the migration season. “One of the birds that brings people here from all over the world because it’s just such a bizarre bird is the American Woodcock. And it’s this little football shaped bird with a really long bill. I describe it as sort of the Mr. Potato Head of the bird world. It looks like spare pieces and parts built this bird,” added Kaufman,
Bird enthusiasts generate an estimated $40 million in economic impact to the area. The Birding Week festival includes educational workshops, guided trips, and lectures. Registration and information can be found at biggestweekinamericanbirding.com.
Many of the activities take place at McGee Marsh Wildlife Area, Maumee Bay State Park, and Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge. “No matter where you are during spring migration in Northwest Ohio, there will be birds there, she said. “We hope people will register for the festival because it offers a lot of really special opportunities. But if you don’t want to, you can still come out and go birding with experts and have a wonderful time just on your own.”
