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TOP 5 VIEWING SITES
• Magee Marsh Wildlife Area, Ottawa County
• Metzger Marsh Wildlife Area, Lucas County
• Pipe Creek Wildlife Area, Erie County
• Pickerel Creek Wildlife Area, Sandusky County
• Ottawa NWR, Ottawa County
2012 UPDATE
The great egret is an Ohio Species of Concern that nests in the western basin of Lake Erie on West Sister Island NWR, Turning Point Island, and Green Island. This species can be observed statewide in marshes, rivers, and swamps during migration and throughout the summer. West Sister Island makes up the largest colony in the U.S. Great Lakes and has been stable in recent years; the 2012 estimate of 740 pairs was 40% below the 2011 estimate of 1280 pairs. In 2012, 201 pairs were counted on Turning Point Island and 103 pairs were found at Green Island, thus a total of 1,044 pairs on the Lake Erie islands. Nesting pairs have also been reported at 5 locations inland from Lake Erie.
Survey details and historical data can be found in the Wetland Species Overview section of the Wildlife Population Status and Hunting Forecast.
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