This post is my how-to guide for birding BWIAB, the Biggest Week in American Birding. BWIAB is a great bird festival to attend whether you are a novice or an experienced birder. I’ve been to BWIAB 5 years in a row so I’m sharing my tips on how to maximize your birding experience plus my tips on where to stay, where to eat and where to go pee. While migration season 2026 is now behind us, it is not too early to start planning for next year.
Birding BWIAB − The Biggest Week in American Birding
BWIAB takes places annually in Oak Harbor Ohio for 10 days during the 2nd and 3rd weekends in May.
I discovered BWIAB totally by accident when I was on my Frittata Cross Country road trip in 2022. I started my journey from Sanibel Island in Florida in April. Worked my way down to the Florida Everglades and then up the east coast as far as Washington D.C. From there, I started making my way West. I didn’t have much of a plan from there.
It was migration season, so I decided to do some Googling on possible destinations for bird watching. BWIAB in Ohio popped up and I decided to check it out. Birding BWIAB in Ohio was a great experience, and I’ve made it a point to attend every year since.
Warblers Warblers Warblers
The main reason to try birding BWIAB is to see all of the adorable and colorful warblers that are making their way from Central/South America and Mexico to Canada for the summer. There is a wide variety of warblers that can been seen depending on weather conditions and your timing, but you will definitely see warblers. Other common cuties are vireos and Northern Parulas.
This festival is also a great time to see the end of the waterfowl and shorebird migration season, so you might spot things like Wilson’s Phalarope, Soras and Virginia Rails but also American Coots, Gallinules, Trumpeter Swans or Ibis (and potentially a lot more than that short list).
Magee Marsh − Oak Harbor, Ohio
The best strategy for birding BWIAB is to center yourself around Magee Marsh in Oak Harbor, Ohio. Oak Harbor is a lovely little midwestern community at the southern tip of Lake Erie. Lake life is the primary activity here, but for 10 days a year birders from all over descend upon it and perch for a few days.
Festivals are always good places to start when you don’t know the general area because you can basically just follow the crowds and take advantage of having all those extra sets of eyes. You also get tips on what the rare or unique birds are that have been discovered and where to look for them.
Birding BWIAB is some of the easiest birding I’ve done for that reason. Just looking for the people with the big cameras raised in the air and join the crowd.
How to Get to BWIAB
If you are birding BWIAB and are within driving distance, lucky you. I fly in from Dallas. I usually arrive at DTW in Detroit and rent a car. It’s an easy hour drive to Magee, and I can stop for groceries in Oregon on my way in.
You can also check flights into CLE (Cleveland) which is about the same distance from Magee.
Where to Bird at BWIAB
Magee Marsh Wildlife Area Boardwalk
Strategy: Any time of day, best in early mornings before the crowds and at dusk.
When you arrive at Magee Marsh Wildlife Area, drive in past the visitors center and continue along the causeway over the marsh. Drive slowly and keep your eyes open. I got a lucky shot at a baby sandhill crane this year on my way to the Magee boardwalk.
You will end up in a large parking lot. Look for the first entrance to the boardwalk on your left as you are driving in.
I recommend going deep into the far side of the parking lot and finding a spot closer to the other boardwalk entrance during the festival. There tends to be more action on that end of the boardwalk, and you’re closer to the Estuary Trails which can also be productive places to bird at BWIAB. There are porta potties throughout the parking lot with the bulk being at the far end by the second entrance.
It is essential to walk the entire boardwalk when birding BWIAB. You will likely see warblers up close and personal, in some cases not even requiring binoculars to view them. As you make your way along, you’ll often find other hidden gems like an owl at rest (word spreads about where things like that are) or a nesting bird. This year there was a robin’s nest so close to the boardwalk that you could video the mother coming and feeding the chicks with your cell phone plus nesting green herons near the marsh and a sleeping Whipporwhill just off the boardwalk in clear view.
To find the estuary trails, go back to the parking lot and walk towards the beach. You will see a foot path leading onto the sand leading towards the lake that then curves around to the left. Follow that for about 50 yards and it will bring you to the estuary trail. Typically the most activity for the least walking is to the right on that trail. If you go left, it circles all the way around to the first boardwalk entrance and parking lot.
I’ve gotten some of my most rare sightings on the right side of the estuary trail. Last year a Kirtland’s Warbler camped out for a few hours at the end where the path turns back toward the lake. This year, I got a Mourning Warbler on that trail, Wilson’s, Cape May’s, Magnolias and orioles plus there was a baby racoon in a tree hollow.
If time allows, I also recommend going back and parking at the visitors center as there are several trails that you can explore behind and to the side of the main building.
I always find these to be much less crowded than the boardwalk. This is my go-to for the quieter hours between 1 and 4pm.
This year, I got a Golden Wing Warbler and a female Kirtland’s on the loop trail behind the visitor’s center. I also spent about 2 hours in the darker wooded trail off the parking lot and got a Hooded Warbler, several thrush species, Black Throated Greens, Black Throated Blues, Chestnut Sided and a green heron.
Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge
Strategy: Try it early in the morning or at dusk. I often drive it after lunch to take a break from being on my feet but it is hit or miss at this time.
This drive-thru preserve is just down the street from Magee Marsh. Great when you need to get off your feet for a while. The wildlife drive can take up to 2 hours, but there are a few places to exit along the way if you want to cut it short.
The marsh has changed over the past five years so it is hit or miss, but you’ll likely see bald eagles and juvenile bald eagles here during the spring season. It is possible to see some shore birds at various view points, trumpeter swans, ducks, grebes, gallinules, bitterns and other waterfowl. I’ve seen Sandhill Cranes here. There tend to be a variety of tough to spot marsh wrens, dickcissels and other tiny marsh birds so keep an eye out! I have also found warblers at the stand of trees just as you exit the drive-across marsh.
There are bathrooms at the visitor center before you start the drive and one porta potty halfway through.
Howard Marsh Metropark
Strategy: Early morning for photographers for best light. Once the sun gets overhead, this is a tougher spot for birding.
Once you leave the Ottawa drive thru, you are almost at the Howard Marsh Metropark. Turn right when you hit the main road and continue about 2 miles – watch for the sign to turn right and the entrance is on the right (or just plug it into your GPS).
There is a large pond in front as you are driving in which can have a variety of things to see. Continue to the parking lot and you will see that you can walk out quite a ways further back to a viewing platform. There are also some sidewalks along the far side of the parking lot that are raised up on a hill and allow for viewpoints of both field and water habitats.
This year there wasn’t much but I did see Caspian terns. A few years back I also got the yellow headed blackbird here and a bobolink. One porta potty in the parking lot.
Don’t forget to check the second part of this metro park across the street. As you are pulling out of Howard Marsh, turn right and then drive about .2 miles. You’ll see another Metropark sign on your left. It’s worth a stop there to see what is out and about. There is a raised boardwalk covering the part of the marsh closest to the road. If it’s a nice day and you want to stretch your legs, you can walk all the way around the marsh as sometimes there are surprises at the far end.
I’ve seen the Wilson’s Phalarope and a NeoTropic Cormorant here. My friends saw Great Crested Grebes here one year.
Metzger Marsh Wildlife area
Strategy: Early morning and dusk, but really all day. Slowest from 1 to 4pm.
This is a hidden gem spot that a lot of people write off. It doesn’t look like much but I’ve had tremendous luck here every year. Metzger is essentially behind the Howard Marsh Metropark. The turn for it is actually before the turn for Howard when you are coming from either Magee or Ottawa. The road will take you down past a local yacht club.
Once you pass the yacht club, the road turns to the left. Start looking on your right as you hit the marsh. There have been trumpeter swans here for the past several years. This year I saw a glossy ibis and some wood ducks.
Continue driving until you hit the parking lot at the end. There are some short trails into the wooded area here, and you can walk up on the grassy levee that borders Lake Erie. This spot can be extremely productive first thing in the morning. Photographers love it because they can set up a tripod and just sit for a few hours without having to move too much.
Between the levee and the woodsy trails, I’ve seen just about every warbler here. This year a Canada warbler set up shop for a few days. Also got blackpolls, red eyed vireos, black and whites, and Magnolias. The big stars this year were a female Cerulean, a Canada Warbler that stuck around for a whole day and a yellow billed AND black billed cuckoo in the same tree.
This can be a great spot for late afternoon as birds will stage here before making the short trip across Lake Erie at dusk.
There is typically one porta potty in the parking lot.
Pearson Metropark
Strategy: Optional stop that is probably best early morning.
This large metropark is about 20 minutes drive from Howard Marsh, back towards Toledo in the town of Oregon. Many people who are birding BWIAB will stay at a hotel in Oregon as that is the closest place to get a Hampton Inn or similar place to stay. It’s worth it to check out Pearson if you are coming from that direction.
I checked it out for the first time this year. There are several parking lots as you drive the one-way street through the park. I was told lots 2 and 3 are good places to park and get out and walk the trails into the woods.
I ended up driving a little further in to find a bathroom (there are public facilities near the playgrounds at two different places) and walked around a bit. It’s harder birding than the places mentioned above simply because it is densely wooded and there are not many other birders around.
I actually saw a very tough to see warbler here – the Orange Crowned – but I didn’t get the photo to prove it. My Merlin was picking up lots of Indigo buntings here but I never saw one. If warblers are your aim when birding BWIAB, stick to Magee and Metzger.
Maumee Bay State Park
Strategy: See below, skip until they rebuild the marsh boardwalk.
The festival registration and headquarters is actually located at Maumee Bay State Park which is about 20 minutes from Magee and halfway back to Oregon. There are basic hotel and cabin accommodations here and in past years you could bird in a marsh behind the buildings. Unfortunately multiple years of winter storms have devasted that area and it was completely closed this year as they try to figure out how to rebuild the boardwalk.
Without that marsh, the only reason to visit this site is to either attend a lecture, visit the vendors booths or to sleep. The restaurant on site is terrible and has consistently terrible service from what others tell me.
Where to Perch when Birding BWIAB
I highly recommend planning to stay at least 3-4 days when birding BWIAB. I have stayed as much as 8 days which was interesting because I had totally different birds between the first and second half of the trip.
The two largest towns offering hotel accommodations are Oregon and Port Clinton. Oregon is about 20 miles from Magee Marsh back toward Toledo and offers plenty of basic restaurants, groceries, gas, etc. Port Clinton is 20 miles to the east toward Sandusky/Cleveland. It is slightly less appealing in my opinion. I stayed at a Hampton Inn here on my first trip but would recommend Oregon over Port Clinton.
As mentioned above, Maumee Bay State Park is an option for lodging about halfway between Magee Marsh and Oregon. I stayed in one of their cabins during my second trip. It was as you would expect for a state park cabin – it was actually quite big and had a kitchen, but it was very basic.
Being an accommodation snob, I decided to search out AirBnB and see if I could find anything. In my opinion, this is the way to go especially if you are someone who doesn’t mind grabbing a few groceries and catering in.
I have found a couple of very cute lakefront condos just 5 miles from Magee heading toward Port Clinton. I also have several houses saved on my AirBnB wishlist in the general area that were all reasonable though they would be more than a Hampton Inn.
To me, it’s worth it to have a little more space than a hotel room. In the event you get a rainy day or want to take a break during that 1pm to 4pm stretch when the birds are quiet, it’s just nice to have a living room versus being stuck on a hotel bed.
I am also a fan of grabbing a cooler and some groceries so I can pack some sandwiches and cold drinks for the long days in the field.
Where to Eat While Birding BWIAB
Oak Harbor Ohio is not a foodie paradise. That said, after 5 years I have identified a few places that give me options on nights I stay out late and don’t want to cook.
My recommendations are mostly heading toward Port Clinton from Magee Marsh. As mentioned above, the town of Oregon has plenty of fast food and basic restaurants to choose from.
Barnside Creamery
Visiting Barnside Creamery has become one of the things I look most forward to when birding BWIAB. It’s only about 2 miles east of Magee Marsh. This mom-n-pop ice cream stand is window-service only and they take cash only (what’s cash ?!?) I usually go here daily during my trips during the downtime around lunch. They have a few food options (hot dogs, pulled pork sandwich, potato salad, chicken salad) if you don’t want to pack a picnic.
More importantly, they make all kinds of ice cream sundaes including a version of my all-time favorite Friendly’s Reese’s Pieces Sundae.
They have a couple of picnic tables but NO BATHROOMS are available here, so go pee at whatever reserve you are visiting before you go.
Porky’s Pizza Trof
Grungy local pizza joint about 5 miles from Magee Marsh toward Port Clinton. It gets packed on Thursday, Friday and weekends so be aware. Large menu of all the things you would expect at a pizza joint. Cold beer.
Wild Wings Restaurant & Lounge
Wild Wings (not the chain) is located about 5 miles from Magee heading back toward Port Clinton, just before Porky’s. It’s behind the Marathon gas station and across from Dollar General.
This place is fairly new (last 2 years). It is essentially pub food but with a few slightly more elevated options. Service is consistently bad but tolerable. It can get very crowded on weekends but they have a lot of outdoor seating if weather is nice.
Kozy Corners
This mom-n-pop no-frills restaurant advertises itself as Mexican/American. I don’t recall any Mexican items on the menu. Kozy Corners is halfway between Magee/Ottawa and Metzger/Howard. They have a basic menu with pizza options and a few plate specials like meatloaf or fried perch. Not my kind of place, but they are known for their selection of homemade pies which are worth checking out at least once.
Most of the restaurants mentioned above will serve you until 8/8:30pm so if you are doing some late day birding at BWIAB you can still grab a bite on your way home.
Jersey Mike’s
For the past few years I have stopped for groceries at the Kroger in Oregon. Usually they have pre-made mini sandwich trays and I’ll pick those up for packing lunches. This year, I hit them on Mother’s Day so the sandwich trays were all sold out.
I noticed a Jersey Mike’s in the same parking lot and decided to go buy a couple of giant subs from them instead. OMG they were so delicious. I just had them put the juice on the side and had them cut a couple of giant subs into smaller pieces. I put them in Tupperware as soon as I got to my condo and I’m telling you those sandwiches were as delicious on Day 8 as they were on Day 1. This is going to be my lunch plan from now on!
Birding BWIAB − Final Thoughts
In my opinion, BWIAB is the best bird festival to check out during spring migration season in the United States. It gives you an opportunity to visit a quaint American community and see a large variety of birds without having to work that hard. Every year I ask myself whether I will want to come back again, and for the last 5 years the answer has been “yes”. I’m already booked for next year.
Eastern Kingbird 
Ovenbird 
Mourning Warbler Northern Parula 
Common Yellowthroat Wilson’s Warbler American Robin and Chicks Bay Breasted Warbler Golden Wing Warbler Blackburnian Warbler Black Throated Green Warbler Yellow Rumped Warbler American Redstart Blue Gray Gnatcatcher 
Black and White Warbler Black Throated Blue Warbler
Other Places to Bird During Spring Migration
I decided to try birding High Island in South Texas this year for the first time. This area is widely known as a hotspot during late April as birds tend to drop here after their long flight across the Gulf of Mexico.
If you are interested in exploring that area, read my post on Birding High Island.
Ready for more colorful birds??? Maybe it’s time to go to Costa Rica. I have been to Costa Rica for birding 6 times. Visit my Costa Rica travel page for more information.
