Last Saturday a birding pal and I went to Magee Marsh Wildlife Area and Howard Marsh Metropark along the southwest coast of Lake Erie. Magee is famous for spring Warbler migration, but I’ve learned it’s also a hotspot in the fall. I didn’t see the variety that I usually do in spring, but I’m thrilled to see any Warbler that stays put long enough for a good look, and hopefully a photo. I’m in the middle of home projects today, so I’ll be in and out.
The Daily Bucket is a nature refuge. We amicably discuss animals, weather, climate, soil, plants, waters and note life’s patterns.
We invite you to note what you are seeing around you in your own part of the world, and to share your observations in the comments below.
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I’ll go in the sequence of our walks that day, starting at Magee Marsh. There was little to see on the entrance causeway. So we headed for the boardwalk. Birding got off to a good start with an immature Bald Eagle perched next to the parking lot.
There is a Cypress tree at the boardwalk entrance. When I was there a couple weeks ago, it was buzzing with activity. Saturday not so much, but there were still several birds flitting around.
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Howard Marsh Metropark is just a few miles west of Magee Marsh, along Route 2. Between them is the main section of Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge and Metzger Marsh. The siren call of a Red Knot had us bypassing them and heading straight for Howard. The section we visited was opened just a year ago. The bird life has been nothing short of amazing. We headed for the boardwalk, which stretches across the southeast corner of the marsh.
As we were walking back to the parking lot, an Osprey put on a show, with swallows hot on its tail.
Now it’s your turn. What’s going on in nature in your area?