Magee Marsh - Any tips for a first-timer? (going in May '24)

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Carmel Nikon

Carmel Nikon

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I'm excited to be visiting Magee Marsh in Ohio for the first time for May migration (on 5/3 and possibly 5/4, a bit early but that's the timing I've got), and have gleaned helpful insights from Bill Majoros' book ("The Birds of Magee Marsh"). Based on tips in that book, I'm planning to skip the 800mm f/6.3 and instead bring my 400mm f/4.5 (with 1.4x TC 'just in case'). If I had a 600mm, that might be better ... or would it?

I've seen a number of BCG threads mention Magee, but none that have "tips for the first timer" type of advice. I'd be grateful for any suggestions on where to spend time (are the boardwalks the best bet for birds, vs other areas?), and on your thoughts on lens choice. I'm a bit cautious about whether the 8 foot MFD for the 400 4.5 may be a limiting factor...is that valid, or not a worry in your experience?

Thank you in advance for your thoughts and kind advice!
 
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Carmel Nikon said:
I'm excited to be visiting Magee Marsh in Ohio for the first time for May migration (on 5/3 and possibly 5/4, a bit early but that's the timing I've got), and have gleaned helpful insights from Bill Majoros' book ("The Birds of Magee Marsh"). Based on tips in that book, I'm planning to skip the 800mm f/6.3 and instead bring my 400mm f/4.5 (with 1.4x TC 'just in case'). If I had a 600mm, that might be better ... or would it?

I've seen a number of BCG threads mention Magee, but none that have "tips for the first timer" type of advice. I'd be grateful for any suggestions on where to spend time (are the boardwalks the best bet for birds, vs other areas?), and on your thoughts on lens choice. I'm a bit cautious about whether the 8 foot MFD for the 400 4.5 may be a limiting factor...is that valid, or not a worry in your experience?

Thank you in advance for your thoughts and kind advice!
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It will be my first time there also. I'll be there May 6-8. I'm following this thread! ;)
 
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Don't expect a wilderness experience LOL

Hand-held cameras are best, it can be crowded. Birds can be distant or in-your-face, a long lens with good MFD is beneficial.

I used a 600 GM last spring. At times I wanted a longer lens, at times I *almost* wanted a macro lens.

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The next time I go (not scheduled yet) the 300 GM + both TCs will be my primary lens for its compact size, hand-hold-ability and MFD.
 
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Appreciate your thoughts, Doug and Matt. While I won't bring a macro, the 186 idea is a great one...if only I had one. However, you sparked my thought to take along either a 24-120 f/4 or the 100-400 zoom on a second (Z6) body (I do have those). That way, if a prothonotary warbler lands on the railing right in front of me, I can switch cameras and get an image, vs running backwards to the MFD.

Excellent thinking - thank you!
 
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Bring your patience because there's usually a good number of people crowded into small areas. Like many other popular places, it tends to get way more crowded on weekends. I'll echo the notion that something like a 200-600mm zoom on the boardwalk is probably the best bet, because the birds are sometimes very close and the flexibility of a zoom will serve you well. I've found that working without a support or a monopod is the most effective because the birds can move very quickly, and the cramped quarters and time it takes to reset a tripod can prove to be problematic. Outside of the boardwalk, the longest lens you can comfortably work with will probably be the most effective.

Depending on his schedule, you might even bump into Steve like I did a few years ago.

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I suspect that the migration will be earlier this year as we’ve seen the return of blackbirds already (usually arrive mid-late March). Magee is an amazing place though its popularity affects the experience. There are several thousand acres of marsh and scrub, a few trails, and the infamous boardwalk. The boardwalk area is still the prime location for Warblers and can and will become impossibly crowded. Most people park and enter on the west end, near the center and the crowds here are generally the worst. It used to be that the east end offered the fewest crowds and a chance to commune though it too is busy. The pedestrian road near the parking lot can pay off and allow for a lot of sightings. It’s tough shooting these little guys/gals because they are quick and either near or far. In the past I brought a prime 500/600 + another lens like a 100-400/100-500 with a short MFD, though I haven’t been back since with my Nikon gear. Some folks stake out a territory while other photographers simply walk through. The big loop has been productive for me though areas can become hot/cold depending on multiple factors. There are a lot of nearby birding areas to explore and here’s a list of some of them… https://www.bsbo.org/local-birding-hotspots.html. Enjoy, and if I can get off my duff, perhaps it is time for another visit.
 
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Howard Marsh and Maumee Bay State Park and Otawa Wildlife Area are also well worth the visit and they are just minutes from Magee. To a lesser extent, Metzger Marsh can have good shore birds. At Magee, yes the boardwalks have good action but don't ignore the lake shoreline just across the parking lot from the boardwalk. We saw quite a few different species there too. Maumee Bay State Park's boardwalk is really nice. Large sections of it got damaged in a tornado a couple years back but when we were there in October, a lot of it had already been repaired.

I would bring a zoom as I think it is more useful than the prime since, as someone stated above, the birds can be anywhere from a few feet in front of you to pretty far out and up in the trees. I've been there 4 or 5 times at different times of year. I found the 200-500 to be a good range. Also,, if you're interested in such things, there are some sunset photo opportunities over the lake so don't forget a wide angle of your choice. In May, if you like macro, you can bring a macro lens and capture some insects and flowers all over the area.

Best advice I can offer is relax, take the crowds in stride, they are all there for the same reason you are, make some new friends and enjoy yourself. The other places I mentioned above will be less crowded if standing shoulder to shoulder with a bunch of your new best friends starts to get a little old.
 
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Great advice, AJR and Jeff - thank you! If migration is a bit early, perhaps I can move up my timing by a few days and miss the "weekend rush". If I didn't, my visit would be on a Friday afternoon and possibly Saturday, which may max out crowds. Would a Wednesday visit be better from a crowd-avoidance standpoint?

Metzger March and Maumee are great backup options as well, will check those out.

Jeff, I may take your (and Doug's) advice and bring that macro. Insects and flowers may be a fun diversion when the birds are resting or hiding. :)
 
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For timing of warbler migration, the Cornell BirdCast (birdcast.info) is invaluable. I used it when we lived in TX so I could hit the Upper Gulf Coast at the right time.

I just checked the rules for use of tripods on Magee Marsh boardwalk -- "They must be used as monopods May 1-15." I'm thinking of going even though it's a long day's drive for me. Somewhat related question: How about Point Pelee? It's on the Canadian side of Lake Erie -- where the warblers land after they leave Magee Marsh -- and may be less crowded.
 
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I don't think you'll regret making the trip. Wife and I have been to Magee the past two years. Both times in early May and on week days. I did find the boardwalk to be well populated but not unbearable by any means. As jeffnles1 said, we took it easy and met a few really nice people with whom we enjoyed some good conversation. I would not encumber myself by trying to use a tripod or even a monopod. This past year I took both my 80-400 and a 500 PF for use on a D500 crop sensor camera. Took the 80-400 off after about 1/2 hour, took it back to the van and went with the 500PF for the rest of the day. My thinking is: no matter your lens choice there will be times you wish for a different one. A short visit to the visitor center is interesting and informative. Food and drink are not available anywhere within the reserve as far as I know. We bring our own. We had a good time, and we hope to be there again this year.

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cchuck said:
How about Point Pelee? It's on the Canadian side of Lake Erie -- where the warblers land after they leave Magee Marsh -- and may be less crowded.
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I also visited Point Pelee last spring and it certainly was less crowded. The warblers are more dispersed, the Visitors Centre has the latest sightings and the other visitors will help you find the birds. I was a bit early last year so the birds were not at their peak. Lots of hiking trails. What I recall from my first visits to Point Pelee a couple of lifetimes ago was that when the birds are at their peak they're like ornaments in a holiday tree.

Note to US residents: there are no restrooms in the park, or in all of Canada. Ask where they are and Canadians will look at you like you're speaking a foreign language, which you are. In the Canadian language what you're looking for is a washroom. The park has several.

I typically camp at Wheatley Provincial Park. There are also several Air B&Bs very close to the park, some that include a park pass.

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Carmel Nikon said:
Great advice, AJR and Jeff - thank you! If migration is a bit early, perhaps I can move up my timing by a few days and miss the "weekend rush". If I didn't, my visit would be on a Friday afternoon and possibly Saturday, which may max out crowds. Would a Wednesday visit be better from a crowd-avoidance standpoint?

Metzger March and Maumee are great backup options as well, will check those out.

Jeff, I may take your (and Doug's) advice and bring that macro. Insects and flowers may be a fun diversion when the birds are resting or hiding. :)
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Maumee has had a Kirtland's Warbler visitor several times over the past few years and is also a good place to see a Screech Owl. I was suprised at how small Metzger was, but was able to nab a nice shot of a Canada Warbler there late in the afternoon a couple of years ago.

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SilverSurfer said:
Maumee has had a Kirtland's Warbler visitor several times over the past few years and is also a good place to see a Screech Owl. I was suprised at how small Metzger was, but was able to nab a nice shot of a Canada Warbler there late in the afternoon a couple of years ago.

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Wow. Amazing capture. For all the years I've spent in their range in No. MI, I've never laid eyes on one in person. Plenty of Pine Warblers, but no Kirtland's.
 
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Yes, you have to approach Magee as a "festival," and if you aren't ok with crowds of birders it won't be fun.
Unless they have changed the rules, on the boardwalks tripods are only permitted in a very small area, otherwise no. So as others have said, handheld is really the way to go.
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Carmel Nikon said:
I'm excited to be visiting Magee Marsh in Ohio for the first time for May migration (on 5/3 and possibly 5/4, a bit early but that's the timing I've got), and have gleaned helpful insights from Bill Majoros' book ("The Birds of Magee Marsh"). Based on tips in that book, I'm planning to skip the 800mm f/6.3 and instead bring my 400mm f/4.5 (with 1.4x TC 'just in case'). If I had a 600mm, that might be better ... or would it?

I've seen a number of BCG threads mention Magee, but none that have "tips for the first timer" type of advice. I'd be grateful for any suggestions on where to spend time (are the boardwalks the best bet for birds, vs other areas?), and on your thoughts on lens choice. I'm a bit cautious about whether the 8 foot MFD for the 400 4.5 may be a limiting factor...is that valid, or not a worry in your experience?

Thank you in advance for your thoughts and kind advice!
Click to expand...
As others already have mentioned, expect lots of people. I don’t know your level of patience but for me, the crowds kill the pleasure of the nature experience. I just can’t stomach it, so don’t go to Magee anymore. These days I tend to stick to other, less well known, locations along the Lake Erie shoreline during warbler season. Although it varies year to year, I usually don’t have much trouble finding plenty of warblers to watch and photograph.

Everyone’s shooting style is different, of course, but personally I like using shorter zooms when photographing warblers - my 70-200 gets plenty of use in May. Warblers are notoriously quick, flitting from branch to branch. Because of this, I sometimes find it difficult to use longer lenses to locate them and focus, although I will use a zoom in the 100-400 or 200-600 range sometimes. Other folks with faster reflexes than me probably do fine with long lenses. I tend to just find a good spot where warblers are feeding, and wait for them to come to me. If I’m reasonably stationary and quiet, I find that they don’t spook too easily, so that I can often get pretty decent shots with my 70-200.

Whatever you decide, best of luck, and enjoy! Spring can’t come too soon!
 
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ajrmd said:
I suspect that the migration will be earlier this year as we’ve seen the return of blackbirds already (usually arrive mid-late March). Magee is an amazing place though its popularity affects the experience. There are several thousand acres of marsh and scrub, a few trails, and the infamous boardwalk. The boardwalk area is still the prime location for Warblers and can and will become impossibly crowded. Most people park and enter on the west end, near the center and the crowds here are generally the worst. It used to be that the east end offered the fewest crowds and a chance to commune though it too is busy. The pedestrian road near the parking lot can pay off and allow for a lot of sightings. It’s tough shooting these little guys/gals because they are quick and either near or far. In the past I brought a prime 500/600 + another lens like a 100-400/100-500 with a short MFD, though I haven’t been back since with my Nikon gear. Some folks stake out a territory while other photographers simply walk through. The big loop has been productive for me though areas can become hot/cold depending on multiple factors. There are a lot of nearby birding areas to explore and here’s a list of some of them… https://www.bsbo.org/local-birding-hotspots.html. Enjoy, and if I can get off my duff, perhaps it is time for another visit.
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You are correct. I go up there pretty regularly and 4 weeks ago while i was taking photos of white pelicans at Ottawa I was surprised by how many red winged blackbirds I saw there.
 
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jeffnles1 said:
Howard Marsh and Maumee Bay State Park and Otawa Wildlife Area are also well worth the visit and they are just minutes from Magee. To a lesser extent, Metzger Marsh can have good shore birds. At Magee, yes the boardwalks have good action but don't ignore the lake shoreline just across the parking lot from the boardwalk. We saw quite a few different species there too. Maumee Bay State Park's boardwalk is really nice. Large sections of it got damaged in a tornado a couple years back but when we were there in October, a lot of it had already been repaired.

I would bring a zoom as I think it is more useful than the prime since, as someone stated above, the birds can be anywhere from a few feet in front of you to pretty far out and up in the trees. I've been there 4 or 5 times at different times of year. I found the 200-500 to be a good range. Also,, if you're interested in such things, there are some sunset photo opportunities over the lake so don't forget a wide angle of your choice. In May, if you like macro, you can bring a macro lens and capture some insects and flowers all over the area.

Best advice I can offer is relax, take the crowds in stride, they are all there for the same reason you are, make some new friends and enjoy yourself. The other places I mentioned above will be less crowded if standing shoulder to shoulder with a bunch of your new best friends starts to get a little old.
Click to expand...
Howard Marsh is a great place for migratory birds last year. We had black winged stilts, least bitterns and many others.
 
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Carmel Nikon said:
I'm excited to be visiting Magee Marsh in Ohio for the first time for May migration (on 5/3 and possibly 5/4, a bit early but that's the timing I've got), and have gleaned helpful insights from Bill Majoros' book ("The Birds of Magee Marsh"). Based on tips in that book, I'm planning to skip the 800mm f/6.3 and instead bring my 400mm f/4.5 (with 1.4x TC 'just in case'). If I had a 600mm, that might be better ... or would it?

I've seen a number of BCG threads mention Magee, but none that have "tips for the first timer" type of advice. I'd be grateful for any suggestions on where to spend time (are the boardwalks the best bet for birds, vs other areas?), and on your thoughts on lens choice. I'm a bit cautious about whether the 8 foot MFD for the 400 4.5 may be a limiting factor...is that valid, or not a worry in your experience?

Thank you in advance for your thoughts and kind advice!
Click to expand...
My wife and I have gone every year since 2016, braved the crowds, enjoyed the birds and took LOTS of photos. After the first time at Magee we decided we would either go up the week before or the week after the Biggest Week in American Birding, which I see is May 3-12 2024. We don't like the crowds much so last year we started in mid-April and ended the warbler wave at the end of June. We camp at Maumee Bay State Park and usually stay Monday through Thursday each week. Boardwalk and campground much less crowded at these times. Since the birds come through at different times you can see a great variety this way. If you do stay in the campground or lodge explore some of the walking trails. We say more warblers in the campground last year that we did at Magee Marsh. We also try to visit with the same schedule during the falll migration. The area around Magee has great places to bird and large varieties of species. You can see just about anything Ohio and Lake Erie has to offer in these areas.

I looked at our photos and we have had great luck with zooms and prime lenses. We used Sony gear last year and had good success with 100-400 and 200-600 Sony lenses. Now that we are back with Nikon we will be using primes again. Nikon z9 and z8s with 400mm f/4.5, 500mm f/5.6, 600mm f/6.3 are the primary weapons of choice now. The primes, although you can't get quite as close allow you to stay back from the crowds a little bit and usually the birds will come to you. Patience is always a good thing at Magee and generally most folks are pretty accommodating so you can get good looks and photos almost everywhere. I wouldn't take a 600mm f/4 or the 800mm f/6.3 since they are big when on the boardwalk and just limit your flexibility, at least in my experience. Off the boardwalk and around other areas bigger is always better!

For good lighting I like the back side of the boardwalk for the evening light as do many other photographers. Howard Marsh, on the west side, is great for long lenses and scopes in the morning if you want waterfowl. Howard Marsh East is great also for the evening light and again for waterfowl. Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge has many walking paths and is a good place to get away from the crowds and see waterfowl.

Sometimes it's just nice to relax and watch the birds instead of trying for that perfect shot. They will come to you at times you may not expect. Best of all, enjoy yourself! Next year you'll have a better idea of when and where you want to go.

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Ed, thank you for your photo and experiences. I had no idea there was a thing called "Biggest Week in American Birding", but there's a website for it and everything. Wow!
BWIAB link

I'm now convinced - I'll plan a Wednesday visit vs a Friday pm/Saturday outing during 1st week of May.
 
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