OTTAWA COUNTY, Ohio — For the 13th year, bird lovers from around the globe will be flocking to northwest Ohio for what is called some of the best bird watching in the world at the Biggest Week in American Birding.
Once again, an estimated 90,000 visitors from across the country and the world will be making their way to the Lake Erie shore to see the beautiful migratory warblers and other birds who take a rest before crossing the lake.
The 10-day event injects about $40 million a year into the northwest Ohio economy.
Kimberly Kaufman, executive director for the Black Swamp Bird Observatory, said new for this year's event is an app to use in the field to keep track of your sightings and learn where some of the best viewing spots are.
"This year we have more free events," Kaufman said. "Both weekends there are free events, beginning with workshops for families. You don't even have to register, you just show up for those."
With Central American weather not affected as much by our early spring bloom, the birds are still making their migration on schedule.
But the early bloom does mean it may be a little more difficult to spot these tiny, colorful warblers.
"It can be a little bit harder to see the birds than it typically is, but you can still see them in spectacular fashion here," Kaufman said.
Kaufman said the event has something for everyone with any birding experience and is offering events from Oak Openings to the west, all the way to Huron in the east.
Including multiple accessibility field trips for folks who normally wouldn't be able to make it out to the boardwalk at Magee Marsh.
"We have free, accessible field trips led by blind birders, birders in wheelchairs," Kaufman said. "No matter how you enjoy birds from whatever perspective, we have something for you and we're really proud to offer those free, no charge. You can go to the Biggest Week website and learn more about how to register."
But if you can't make it to the Lake Erie shore, you can try to draw some of these warblers to your own property.
"These won't come to bird feeders," Kaufman said, "But if you put moving water in your yard, you are very likely to attract some of these little warblers to your yard. Just a simple little dripper will attract the birds."
And for the first time in the history of the Biggest Week in American Birding, they will be leaving their registration open for the entire run of the event.