Biggest Week Van Trips
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We're proud of the quality of our van trips. Our small groups (only ten people per van), wonderful leaders, and great value make for excellent birding and memories. Two experienced leaders will share the best birding in the region with everyone on the trip, keep the group on pace, and safely transport the group between sites. Van trips require the participant's ability to enter and exit a 15-passenger van without assistance on multiple occasions. The leader will provide a wooden step due to the van's clearance. Some locations may involve up to 1.5-2 miles and 2-3 hours away from the van at a time. Please see the accessibility section of the site guides linked next to each trip.
Some of our trips offer pickup for participants staying in Port Clinton. Please arrive at the pickup location no later than 6:30 a.m. Click HERE for a map to the parking lot.
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Please note: All van trips will leave from and return to Maumee Bay Lodge and Conference Center. Each van will be numbered, so be sure to match your van number listed on your itinerary with the numbered van in the parking lot. Vans will be lined up in numerical order each morning.
Boxed lunches are available by filling out a form at the front desk of the Maumee Bay Lodge the day before. You will pick up your lunch from the front desk in the morning before boarding the van. You do not have to be a registered guest of Maumee Bay Lodge to order a boxed lunch.
Boxed lunches are available by filling out a form at the front desk of the Maumee Bay Lodge the day before. You will pick up your lunch from the front desk in the morning before boarding the van. You do not have to be a registered guest of Maumee Bay Lodge to order a boxed lunch.
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We're excited to partner with Kowa and Land Sea & Sky for this year's van trips!
Kowa and Land Sea & Sky graciously provided spotting scopes for Biggest Week participants to use while on a van trip. Each van was equipped with one Kowa spotting scope in addition to any scopes leaders brought. |
We're excited to provide accessibility information for our field trips with new icons listed next to each trip. Please use the dropdown menu below to access the full key of these icons.
Key
This field trip visits one site.
This trip has flat terrain.
This trip includes accessible trails.
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Site information is unpredictable. Leader's often choose the locations the day of the trip.
This site is wheelchair accessible.
This trip visits accessible locations.
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This trip has restroom facilities.
This field trip visits multiple sites.
This trip has uneven terrain.
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Big Day
Click the image above to read the site guide for this field trip!
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Activity Level: Moderate
Time: 6:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Where: Board the vans in front of Maumee Bay Lodge and Conference Center by 5:45 a.m. Fee: $75 Registration Required Limited to 10 participants per van Our Big Day Vans are a great way to enjoy the thrill of spring migration. With so much diversity in species and habitats in the region, these field trips allow you to experience as much as possible. Leaders will work to provide participants with the greatest number of species possible while also working to ensure that participants can enjoy the birds at a comfortable yet fast and competitive pace. A suggested route is provided to all leaders for the day However, leaders have the opportunity to modify this route based on knowledge of the region and what sites are the most productive at the time. Please note this is a relatively fast-paced field trip with a friendly competitive feel.
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Birding the Lakefront
Click the image above to read the site guide for this field trip!
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Activity Level: Moderate
Time: 6:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Where: Board the vans in front of Maumee Bay Lodge and Conference Center by 5:45 a.m. Fee: $75 Registration Required Limited to 10 participants per van One of the most exciting parts of spring along the Lake Erie shores is that you never know what you’ll find! This field trip covers several of the top hotspots along the lakefront. Designed with diverse habitats and birds in mind, this trip covers beaches, woodlands, open habitats, and marshes. These sites are essential for migrant and breeding species. This trip will target an array of warblers, waterfowl, shorebirds, gulls, terns, waders, and much more! This field trip starts at the home base of The Biggest Week in American Birding, Maumee Bay State Park. The trip will then visit Mallard Club Wildlife Area, Howard Marsh Metropark, and Metzger Marsh Wildlife Area. Each of these sites provides excellent marsh habitat that is managed differently and is sure to diversify the species total for the day.
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Birding the Maumee River
Click the image above to read the site guide for this field trip!
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Activity Level: Moderate
Time: 6:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Where: Board the vans in front of Maumee Bay Lodge and Conference Center by 5:45 a.m. Fee: $75 Registration Required Limited to 10 participants per van The Maumee River was originally known as the Miami of the Lakes. But the pronunciation of “Miami” devolved into “Maumee,” which was allowed to stand to prevent confusion with the Miami River in southern Ohio. Early settlers described the river’s color as coppery and clear. The river is lined with parks, and fishing access sites provide stopover habitat for many migrant species. This field trip covers many sites that are not birded as often, allowing the group to find good birds off the beaten path. Many of these riverside sites are covered in mature Cottonwood trees, which are great at attracting insect- eating birds. Several species of egrets and herons use the rivers for hunting and nesting.
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Catawba / Marblehead
Click the image above to read the site guide for this field trip!
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Activity Level: Moderate
Time: 6:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Where: Board the vans in front of Maumee Bay Lodge and Conference Center by 5:45 a.m. Fee: $75 Registration Required Limited to 10 participants per van Port Clinton Pickup: Please arrive at the pickup location no later than 6:30 a.m. Click HERE for a map to the parking lot The Catawba Island / Marblehead Peninsula region can be one of the most exciting sites to bird in Ohio during spring migration. The right weather patterns can funnel incredible numbers of birds into the hotspots in the area. This field trip will cover several of the best migrant trap hotspots, marshes, and lake access points highlighted by East Harbor State Park - the primary stop for the morning. The diversity of habitats and nature of migrant trap woodlots can lead to an exciting and extensive list of species possible for this trip. Additionally, the group will have the opportunity to visit the historic Marblehead Lighthouse and view the only natural US population of the rare Lakeside Daisy! It’s sure to be an exciting day!
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Leader's Choice
Click the image above to read the site guide for this field trip!
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Activity Level: Moderate
Times: 6:00- 10:00 a.m. (morning session) / 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. (afternoon session) Where: Board the vans in front of Maumee Bay Lodge by 5:45 a.m. or 10:45 a.m. Fee: $50 Registration Required Limited to 10 participants per van; one van in the morning, one van in the afternoon As the name suggests, our Leader’s Choice Van Trips allow the guides to pick where they want to go! Guides may choose to visit a park that they know well and want to share their knowledge of the location or pick their location based on recent reports or birding trends throughout the festival. This is a great trip to catch all of the hottest birding trends during The Biggest Week In American Birding. If one site has been particularly good for shorebird diversity, leaders may choose to visit there. If there have been consistently good migrant flocks at another location, they may choose to visit that site.
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Metroparks Toledo
Click the image above to read the site guide for this field trip!
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Activity Level: Moderate
Times: 6:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Where: Board the vans in front of Maumee Bay Lodge and Conference Center by 5:45 a.m. Fee: $75 Registration Required Limited to 10 participants per van The Metroparks Toledo system is one of the most impressive city-funded park systems around. The Biggest Week In American Birding is excited to partner with this great team and visit these sites. Many of the field trips visit one of their properties. This field trip in particular focuses on two of the larger, yet lesser-birded properties by visitors to the area: Secor and Wildwood Preserve Metroparks. Additionally, this trip visits both parts of the popular Pearson Metropark. The habitat preserved in these parks allows the group to try for certain species that are otherwise rare or absent in the rest of the festival’s region such as Louisiana Waterthrush, Hooded and Yellow-throated Warblers, and Barred Owl.
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Oak Openings Preserve Metropark
Click the image above to read the site guide for this field trip!
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Activity Level: Moderate
Times: 6:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Where: Board the vans in front of Maumee Bay Lodge and Conference Center by 5:45 a.m. Fee: $75 Registration Required Limited to 10 participants per van Oak Openings Preserve Metropark is the crown jewel of the Metroparks Toledo system. The preserve is the largest of the Metroparks Toledo system at 5,000 acres. Oak Openings Preserve Metropark is known for its oak savannas and ancient sand dunes, making for a very special habitat for breeding and migrant songbirds. On this tour, The Biggest Week In American Birding guides will help you find an assortment of migrating warblers as well as locally rare breeders. Many of the species found here are difficult to find in the lakefront birding hotspots.
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Off the Beaten Path - Wood / Sandusky Counties
Click the image above to read the site guide for this field trip!
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Activity Level: Moderate
Times: 6:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Where: Board the vans in front of Maumee Bay Lodge and Conference Center by 5:45 a.m. Fee: $75 Registration Required Limited to 10 participants per van As the name suggests, this trip covers many of the best Wood and Sandusky County parks. While birders often think of the lakefront hotspots this time of year, there are wonderful and well-maintained parks inland that most do not visit. The habitat is perfect for many migrant and resident species. This trip visits Creek Bend Farm, Ringneck Ridge Wildlife Area, and White Star Park, all in the Sandusky County Park District. Cedar Creeks Preserve and Nature Trails Park are part of the Wood County Park District. This field trip quickly became a favorite for both participants and leaders. With excellent quality parks, well-maintained habitats, and a great time of year, this trip will surely make for a great day!
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Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge
Click the image above to read the site guide for this field trip!
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Activity Level: Moderate
Times: 6:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Where: Board the vans in front of Maumee Bay Lodge and Conference Center by 5:45 a.m. Fee: $75 Registration Required Limited to 10 participants per van One of the most beloved birding hotspots in the region is Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge. Many birders enjoy the wonderful auto tour, woodlot trails, and beautiful visitors center. But did you know there is much more to this refuge? There are additional properties all around the region that are owned and managed as part of Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge, and this van trip sets out to bird the well-known and lesser-known parts of the refuge! The wide array of habitats this trip covers allows for a diverse and exciting species list, including many migrant songbirds, waders, water birds, shorebirds, raptors, and much more!
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Private Lands
Click the image above to read the site guide for this field trip!
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Activity Level: Moderate
Times: 6:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Where: Board the vans in front of Maumee Bay Lodge and Conference Center by 5:45 a.m. Fee: $75 Registration Required Limited to 10 participants per van Port Clinton Pickup: Please arrive at the pickup location no later than 6:30 a.m. Click HERE for a map to the parking lot This field trip provides the ONLY birding access to two excellent private properties. These sites are otherwise closed to the public. Black Swamp Bird Observatory is proud to partner with the team at Winous Point Marsh Conservancy and the Harder family at Earth Heart Farms. Since 1856, Winous Point has been one of Ohio’s largest and most active conservation organizations for waterfowl and wetland protection and management. What started as one of the country’s most prestigious hunt clubs has since founded a non-profit conservancy focused on being leaders in marshland protection, management, and celebrating biodiversity in NW Ohio. Earth Heart Farms is a family-owned property with owners who took it upon themselves to provide habitat for wildlife. The result has been an excellent location for migrant and breeding birds! We want to thank these important partners for allowing us to share their properties with participants of the Biggest Week!
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Pointe Mouillee State Game Area
Click the image above to read the site guide for this field trip!
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Activity Level: Moderate
Times: 6:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Where: Board the vans in front of Maumee Bay Lodge and Conference Center by 5:45 a.m. Fee: $75 Registration Required Limited to 10 participants per van Pointe Mouillee State Game Area is one of the largest freshwater wetland restoration projects in the world. At over 4,000 acres, this site is one of the prime locations for migratory and breeding waterfowl, waders, and shorebirds. In the winter, this site is home to a large number and diversity of waterfowl. This is the only out-of-state field trip currently offered at The Biggest Week In American Birding. This location is open to the public for walking and biking the miles of dike road trails. However, The Biggest Week In American Birding has special permission to take our vans into this incredible birding location!
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Sandusky Bay / Pickerel Creek
Click the image above to read the site guide for this field trip!
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Activity Level: Moderate
Times: 6:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Where: Board the vans in front of Maumee Bay Lodge and Conference Center by 5:45 a.m. Fee: $75 Registration Required Limited to 10 participants per van Port Clinton Pickup: Please arrive at the pickup location no later than 6:30 a.m. Click HERE for a map to the parking lot The south side of Sandusky Bay has multiple excellent birding sites that host a diverse array of migrant and breeding birds. The wooded sections of these sites provide an ideal stopover habitat for migrant songbirds, including warblers, vireos, tanagers, orioles, and more. Depending on water levels, marsh habitat and lakefront viewing will help diversify the day with waders, waterfowl, gulls, terns, American White Pelicans, and shorebirds. The beautiful parks and diverse habitats make for a great day of birding.
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The Wilds of Erie County
Click the image above to read the site guide for this field trip!
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Activity Level: Moderate
Times: 6:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Where: Board the vans in front of Maumee Bay Lodge and Conference Center by 5:45 a.m. Fee: $75 Registration Required Limited to 10 participants per van Port Clinton Pickup: Please arrive at the pickup location no later than 6:30 a.m. Click HERE for a map to the parking lot The Wilds of Erie County trip covers two of the best birding sites in the county: Pipe Creek Wildlife Area and Sheldon Marsh State Nature Preserve. Both sites can be excellent migration sites and can yield a long, diverse list of birds! The marsh units at Pipe Creek and the woodland area at Sheldon Marsh also provide nesting habitats for many species of songbirds and marsh birds. The dense, wet, wooded areas at both sites can provide opportunities for many of the more difficult or highly sought-after species in the area.
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A percentage of the funds raised for The Biggest Week In American Birding's Van Trips will go towards the Barb Padgett Migratory Bird Research and Education Fund. Barb Padgett was an avid birder, conservationist, political activist, and beloved social media personality.This fund will provide support for Black Swamp Bird Observatory's long-time migratory songbird research and our youth birding and nature programs, aspects of our mission that Barb cared deeply about. CLICK HERE to donate to the Barb Padgett Migratory Bird Research and Education Fund.