Less-crowded Toledo area birdwatching spots

The boardwalk at the Magee Marsh Wildlife Area is the best place to view migrating songbirds for numbers and variety up close. It's easy birdwatching.

But the boardwalk can be scrunched-crowded in the first half of May, especially before Noon. On breezy southwest wind days, it's better to birdwatch the outside edge along the parking lot. Also, the trail between Magee Marsh and Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge provides ample space for the birdwatchers. On southwest wind days, like today, May 8, 2014, birdwatching on the east beach at Magee Marsh can provide excellent birdwatching without the crowds, unless a Kirtland's Warbler exists.

Plenty of other Toledo-area places exist to view migrating birds. These places lack the crowds. No one else may be present, birdwatching anyway. But a little more effort may be needed to cover more ground and to view more birds high in the canopy.

West Toledo

• Ottawa Park
• Woodlawn Cemetery
• Greenwood Park

Eastern Sylvania Township

• Wildwood Metropark

South Toledo

• Swan Creek Metropark

Northern Wood County

• Rossford Island View Park
• W.W. Knight Nature Preserve
• 577 Foundation

Western Lucas County

• Irwin Prairie State Nature Preserve
• Secor Metropark
• Oak Openings Metropark

Northeastern Lucas County along lake shore

• Maumee Bay Start Park boardwalk
• Reno Beach

Northwestern Ottawa County

• Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge, the wooded, shrubby area behind the visitors building

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