PHOTOGRAPHER'S PERSPECTIVE ON LOCATION SERIES: OHIO

MAGEE MARSH WILDLIFE AREA
OAK HARBOR, OHIO
Text and image copyright Brian L. Zwiebel, all rights reserved

ACCESS
As of this writing there are no entrance fees at Magee Marsh; however, a fee system may be implemented in the near future at all Ohio state-operated facilities.

Magee Marsh is normally open from sunrise to sunset. During the peak of spring migration in mid-May the gate is usually open an hour or more before sunrise. Avoiding the waterfowl season in October and November is recommended. At this time, most of the area is closed to anyone not possessing a waterfowl blind permit, with Saturdays and Sundays during waterfowl season being the exception. On Saturdays, access is available by 1:00pm and on Sundays, the park remains open to the public.

Lodging and restaurants are available in Oregon and Port Clinton, both about 20 miles from Magee Marsh. At Blackberry Corners there is a small restaurant and bar just one mile west on SR 579 from SR 2. Pizza and sandwiches are available for lunch and dinner. Another option is the Maumee Bay General Store and gas station on SR 2 about 10 miles west of Magee Marsh where there are several fast food options. Oregon has a Comfort Inn, Holiday Inn Express, and Sleep Inn & Suites. There is also an area Econo Lodge in Curtice and, for accommodations right across from Magee Marsh, the option of Waterfowl Lodge. Camping is available at nearby Maumee Bay State Park

AREA LAYOUT
Magee Marsh is located along the Lake Erie shoreline about halfway between Oregon and Port Clinton, Ohio off Route 2 in Ottawa Co. Follow the winding entrance road past the Sportsman’s Center and observation tower to the causeway that leads to the large paved parking lots by the lake. The boardwalk can be accessed from either end of the parking lot. The adjacent beach area can be checked for shorebirds.

In addition to the woodlot by the lake, you may want to try working the woods near the Sportsman’s Center. This area receives less birding and photography pressure; it may be just the ticket if the crowds of birders on the boardwalk make photography impossible.

WHAT YOU'LL FIND
A 2,000+ acre wildlife area, Magee Marsh is comprised largely of diked impoundments and is managed by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. The big draw for the bird photographer is a 7-acre woodlot with boardwalk where the woodland songbird migrants congregate during the spring and fall. The geography of the area makes Magee Marsh an excellent place to photograph northbound, migrant songbirds such as warblers, tanagers, vireos and thrushes. Lake Erie is a formidable barrier blocking the birds’ access to their northern breeding grounds. The birds may wait days for southerly winds before making the journey across Lake Erie.

Magee Marsh is good to visit for warblers is in early to mid- May. Early migrants such as Kentucky, Hooded, Yellow-rumped and Palm Warblers arrive at the end of April. Species diversity and total numbers increase through May with Blackpoll, Mourning, Connecticut and Wilson’s Warblers arriving later in May. Most years, the peak of the warbler migration falls sometime in the later half of the first two weeks of May. Wave days might occur at any time during the first three weeks of May. During these times, hundreds of migrant birds feed and rest in the lower portions of the canopy and may come down from the trees

Fall songbird migration provides additional good bird photo opportunities. The migration seems to last longer in the fall, beginning in late August and running through September and on into October. Many of the fall migrating warblers feast on gray dogwood berries. Shooting can be easy when you find a loaded bush, and the birds are not as hyperactive as they are when chasing insects in the spring. Be sure to bring a field guide, as identifying fall warblers is not nearly as straightforward as in the spring.

A successful warbler shoot at Magee Marsh is largely contingent upon the weather and the patience of the photographer. There are no guarantees. Fortunately, there are a variety of reliable backup subjects to work on during poor weather or when the migrants are not present. Canada Geese and goslings, Tree Swallows, Killdeer with chicks, Baltimore Orioles, Great Blue Herons and Great Egrets are all fairly easy to photograph and are fairly reliable subjects. Most years a nesting Woodcock can be found near the parking lot and can provide rewarding photo opportunities.

Some of the best photography can be on days when the wind is strong from the south or west. On high wind days the birds tend to be on the leeward (sheltered from the wind) side of the woods. The weather in NW Ohio, and particularly along Lake Erie, is unpredictable especially during the spring warbler migration. Temperatures can range from cold, damp, windy and miserable to quite warm and sunny. Typical temperatures range between 50 and 70 degrees, but 40-degree mornings and 80-degree afternoons are not uncommon. A rain jacket, warm clothing, a hat and mid-weight gloves are recommended and long underwear may be desirable under lightweight pants. Those who are fair-skinned may wish for sunscreen and a hat or visor.

LIGHT
Morning light can be nice along the north edge of the woods and at the east end of the boardwalk. Entering from the east will provide more open habitat for generally less cluttered shooting and more light in the early morning. Exposure problems abound when shooting the migrant songbirds in the woods. As the sun gets higher, shadows of varying darkness will often times fall on your subject, while at the same time there may be a large portion of bright sky in the background. The yellows in warblers are easy to blow out through overexposure.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
Other nearby opportunities include the Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge and Metzger Marsh.

MORE INFORMATION
Information about Crane Creek St. Park and links to Magee Marsh, Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge and other area bird photography locations can be found at http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/parks/parks/cranecrk.htm.

Lake Erie Wing Watch: A Birding Guide To Ohio’s Shoreline Region can be a valuable tool for exploring other nearby bird photography opportunities. It can be obtained through the Ottawa County Visitors Bureau by calling 1-800-441-1271 or by visiting the web site www.lake-erie.com.

Brian Zwiebel is a nature photographer living fifteen minutes from Magee Marsh.

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