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We’re really proud of the quality of
experience and the value of our bus trips. We
limit each trip to just 13 participants. We use
15-passenger, shuttle-style buses, with big
windows, and more leg room; they're much easier
to climb into and out of than a 15-passenger
van!
Please note:
All bus trips will leave from and return to
Maumee Bay Lodge and Conference Center. However, for trips heading east from Maumee Bay,
we will offer a second morning pick-up at OurGuest Inn & Suites in Port Clinton to
accommodate those with lodging in the Port Clinton,
Fremont, Marblehead area instead of driving west all the
way to Maumee Bay to board the bus. (Yeah, we’re
thoughtful like that!) ;-)
ALSO: Each
bus will be numbered, so be sure to match your
bus number listed on your itinerary with the
numbered bus in the parking lot.
Oak Openings Preserve,
Bus #3
Date:
May 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, & 11
Time: 6 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Where: Meet at the Maumee Bay Lodge &
Conference Center parking lot by 5:45 a.m.
Fee: $40
Registration required
This trip to the Toledo Metroparks’ Oak Openings
Preserve has become a HUGE hit, so this year
we added 3½ more hours to allow more
time to bird this unique area! Known for its oak
savannahs and ancient sand dunes, expert guides
will help you find an assortment of migrating
warblers as well as locally rare breeders
including Lark Sparrow, Summer Tanager and Blue
Grosbeak. With the extra hours, we will also
check out the nearby Kitty Todd and Irwin
Prairie Nature Preserves. Bring a brown bag
lunch or, if you’re staying at Maumee Bay
Lodge, you can pre-order a boxed lunch the night
before by visiting the dining room.
Local Hotspots
-
Half-day Birding Trips,
Bus #1 & Bus #2
(Please note that we are offering morning AND
afternoon Local Hotspots trips each day!)
Date: May 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, & 11
Time: Morning Trips - 7 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Time: Afternoon Trips - 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Where: Meet at the Maumee Bay Lodge &
Conference Center parking lot by 6:45 a.m.
Fee: $20
Registration required
These trips will take participants to search for
migrants in some of the lesser-known birding
hotspots that all the local birders know about.
Our expert field trip leaders will be scouting
all these areas daily and will take 13 lucky
birders per trip to chase the latest arrivals.
The Big Day Bus,
Bus #4 & Bus #5
Date:
May 5, 7, & 11
Time: 6 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Where: Meet at the Maumee Bay Lodge &
Conference Center parking lot by 5:45 a.m.
Fee: $40
Registration required
On your mark. Get set. BIRD!
Do you have a competitive streak? Love a bit of
fast-paced, exciting birding? Then this is your
trip! Led by expert birders, we’ll send out two
buses for a “friendly” competition to see which
bus can spot the most species. These full-day
trips will focus on the local birding hotspots
depending on where the latest arrivals are. Did
we say, “friendly?” That might change,
considering that participants on the winning bus
will receive prizes donated by our sponsors!
;-) Bring a brown bag lunch or, if you’re
staying at Maumee Bay Lodge, you can pre-order a
boxed lunch the night before by visiting the
dining room.
Catawba/Marblehead Birding Trips,
Bus #5
Date:
May 6 & 9
Time:
6 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Where:
Meet at the Maumee Bay State Park Lodge parking
lot at 5:45 a.m.
Second pickup at OurGuest Inn and Suites in Port
Clinton at 6:40
a.m.
Fee: $40
Registration required
While
the beach ridges of Magee Marsh and Ottawa NWR
are well known for their massive bird
concentrations, much less attention has been
given to migrant traps on the peninsula. This
trip will visit birding hotspots that all the
local birders know about. Natural areas with
names such as Cedar Meadow Preserve, Catawba
Point Preserve, Meadowbrook Marsh, and East
Harbor State Park will provide a variety of
habitats for a surprising diversity of bird
species. Warblers, finches, thrushes, and more
all build up along the peninsula preparing for
their island crossing that must come.
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BIGGEST WEEK
EXCLUSIVE
BIRDING
OPPORTUNITIES |
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The
Biggest Week teams up with Black
Swamp Conservancy & Black Swamp Bird
Observatory to bring you these
EXCLUSIVE birding opportunities!
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NEW
TRIPS FOR 2012!
South Bay - Private Lands Birding,
Bus #4
Date: May 4, 8, & 10
Time: 6 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Where:
Meet at the Maumee Bay Lodge & Conference Center
parking lot by 5:45 a.m.
Second pickup at OurGuest Inn and Suites in Port Clinton at
6:40
a.m.
Fee:
$40
Registration required
This trip will center on the Green Creek Hunt
Club Marshes located along the upper reaches of
Sandusky Bay. The property is permanently
protected by a conservation easement held
by Black Swamp Conservancy. Well known for large
movements of landbirds along Green Creek and its associated
swamp woods, this area also has a wide variety
of wetlands and grasslands available to explore.
Our expert field trip leaders will be scouting
other neighboring private holdings daily to
provide for a great diversity of birds each
trip. Green Creek is a fine example of how hunt
clubs provide great habitat, not only for
waterfowl, but also amazing concentrations of
songbirds and other wildlife.
Northwest Bay - Private Lands Birding,
Bus #4
Date: May 6 & 9
Time: 6 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Where:
Meet at the Maumee Bay Lodge & Conference Center
parking lot by 5:45 a.m.
Second pickup at OurGuest Inn and Suites in Port
Clinton at
6:40
a.m.
Fee: $40
Registration required
Expert guides will take you to visit Peninsula
Farms, a private complex of grasslands,
woodlands, and wetlands along the Sandusky
River. The farm is permanently protected by a
conservation easement held by Black Swamp
Conservancy.
Home to a pair of Bald Eagles and a wide variety
of nesting birds, it is a hidden treasure for
migrating landbirds. The backwaters of the river
and associated thicket habitats provide all the
necessities of migrants looking for a great
stopover habitat. Come prepared to hike trails
and get up-close and personal with our
feathered friends.
Top-Secret Locations! -
Private Marsh Birding Trips,
Bus #5
Date: May 4, 8, & 10
Time: 6 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Where:
Meet at the Maumee Bay Lodge & Conference Center
parking lot by 5:45 a.m.
Second pickup at OurGuest Inn and Suites in Port
Clinton at
6:40
a.m.
Fee: $40
Registration required
Our expert guides will blindfold you
until we reach our destination (just kidding!).
;-) The guides will lead you through a variety
of wetland, swamp forest, and grassland habitats
as you explore these private properties for
migrating songbirds, nesting specialties such as
Bald Eagle, King Rail, Prothonotary Warbler, and
a variety of marsh and waterbirds.
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