ODNR Division of Wildlife - Experiencing Wildlife - Birding

Ohio's Premiere Birding Opportunities

Prime birding spots in state parks, wildlife areas, forests and nature preserves

White-eyed vireo

White-eyed Vireo

Ohio offers some of the best birding sites in the country, particularly along the Lake Erie shoreline. Ohio State Parks, nature preserves, forests and wildlife areas are spectacular locations to view many species of birds, including bald eagles, owls, waterfowl, and shorebirds among many more.

Magee Marsh State Wildlife Area in Lucas and Ottawa counties is recognized as one of the nation’s premier birding destinations. It offers thousands of acres along the western Lake Erie shoreline ideal for viewing the spring migration activities of warblers, tanagers, orioles and grosbeaks.

Scarlet tanager

Scarlet Tanager

A handicap-accessible boardwalk, known as the bird trail, is next to the Sportsmen’s Migratory Bird Center at Magee Marsh and provides access to one of the best birding areas in the marsh. For more events and bird counts, visit the Friends of Magee Marsh Web site.

The wildlife area road and trails will be closed during the Controlled Youth Deer hunts scheduled during the youth deer gun season. On the other weekends during this time period, hunters, anglers, and wildlife viewers will be permitted access to the beach area and wildlife trails on Saturdays from 12:00 noon until sunset and Sundays from sunrise to sunset.

Read about Magee Marsh in the American Birding Association's Birding magazine.

International Migratory Bird Day is the second Saturday in May at Magee Marsh and is an ideal day to visit. Magnificent bald eagles, herons, and waterfowl are among the many bird species observed there.

Other outstanding birding sites along Lake Erie include:
East Harbor State Park in Ottawa County with its scenic wetlands is sure to offer nature enthusiasts an abundance of wildlife to view, including ducks, geese, gulls, terns and other migratory waterfowl.

Eastern bluebird

Eastern Bluebird

Sheldon Marsh State Nature Preserve in Erie County is a diverse habitat offering an extensive species list. Unusual species such as the golden-winged warbler and the more common ducks and shorebirds often are found here.

Headlands Dunes State Nature Preserve in Lake County features sandy beaches, dune grass and open water, attracting dozens of migrating bird species, including raptors, ducks and warblers. The preserve is the best remaining example of its kind in the state.

The adjacent Headlands Beach State Park also is a good birding location.

Maumee Bay State Park in Lucas County offers a spectacular two-mile elevated boardwalk through prime birding habitat, including swamplands and marsh, as well as an observation tower. The park’s scenic meadows, woods and marshes are teeming with wildlife.

Birders also should consider visiting the following public areas throughout Ohio: Killdeer Plains State Wildlife Area in Wyandot and Marion counties, Grand Lake St. Marys State Park in Auglaize and Mercer counties, Killbuck State Wildlife Area where Holmes and Wayne counties meet, Shawnee State Forest in Scioto and Adams counties, and the Hocking Hills region in Hocking County.

Learn more about birding