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

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Never been to Magee, but I heard a lot of about this amazing place for warblers and I always want to go. What is the best time to visit? Also from the pictures posted, it seems background is quite busy which I know it is common for many warblers. I wonder if there are beautiful flower trees there (like redbud, dogwood, etc) so that to have some opportunities photographing birds perched with clean and nice backgrounds?
 
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mosoaringwings said:
Never been to Magee, but I heard a lot of about this amazing place for warblers and I always want to go. What is the best time to visit? Also from the pictures posted, it seems background is quite busy which I know it is common for many warblers. I wonder if there are beautiful flower trees there (like redbud, dogwood, etc) so that to have some opportunities photographing birds perched with clean and nice backgrounds?
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Generally the 2nd week of May is good. They have an event called "The Biggest Week in Birding" that lines up nicely with the best time. Search for it on Google.

Backgrounds are usually an issue with wild birds unless you're lucky or drawing them in to clean purches through food or calls.

A lot of those great images you see aren't really happenstance.
 
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SilverSurfer said:
Generally the 2nd week of May is good. They have an event called "The Biggest Week in Birding" that lines up nicely with the best time. Search for it on Google.

Backgrounds are usually an issue with wild birds unless you're lucky or drawing them in to clean purches through food or calls.

A lot of those great images you see aren't really happenstance.
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Thank you very much!
 
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Carmel, I know I'm late to the party but I just thought that I would confirm what many have said above and that is forget tripods at least on the boardwalk. I will add the photo showing the big crowd is misleading as what happens is that someone spots something and other people stop walking to see what it is and before long you have this big crowd. They soon break up as the birds don't stay in one place very long. Last year I shot with my Z9 and a 500mm PF. I needed the 500mm many times for birds in the distant trees and was able to get most birds that were fairly close, but I really needed a zoom. So this year I'm bringing a 180-600mm with a TC just in case i need a longer shot. I'm sure I'll use every bit of the 600mm. Last year was a terrible year because a cold front held the birds up south of us and they didn't cross at the usual time. Let's hope this year is better.
 
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Jim, great advice (and thanks to the MANY excellent suggestions across this thread!). And helpful perspective on the flash mob crowds that form and disperse on the boardwalk.

I don't have a long zoom, so am thinking long prime (500 PF or 400 f/4.5) plus a zoom, on two bodies, are probably the way to go. I'm fortunate in that I have business reasons to be in the area each year in May, so the mistakes and learning from my choice this first time can help me get smarter for future visits.

Fingers crossed that the relatively warm winter will have the birds eager to be in the area while I'm there (1st week of May) getting ready for their big flight across Lake Erie. Hopefully I'll see you and other BCG'ers there!
 
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Carmel Nikon said:
Jim, great advice (and thanks to the MANY excellent suggestions across this thread!). And helpful perspective on the flash mob crowds that form and disperse on the boardwalk.

I don't have a long zoom, so am thinking long prime (500 PF or 400 f/4.5) plus a zoom, on two bodies, are probably the way to go. I'm fortunate in that I have business reasons to be in the area each year in May, so the mistakes and learning from my choice this first time can help me get smarter for future visits.

Fingers crossed that the relatively warm winter will have the birds eager to be in the area while I'm there (1st week of May) getting ready for their big flight across Lake Erie. Hopefully I'll see you and other BCG'ers there!
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In my experience a pair of zooms are most practical (think 70-200, 70-180, etc.) and 180-600. Alternatively, the 400 or 500 +- TC plus a shorter zoom. Maybe we should post a series of anticipated dates of travel, if people are thinking of connecting?
 
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ajrmd said:
In my experience a pair of zooms are most practical (think 70-200, 70-180, etc.) and 180-600. Alternatively, the 400 or 500 +- TC plus a shorter zoom. Maybe we should post a series of anticipated dates of travel, if people are thinking of connecting?
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AJ, based on the discussion here, I agree. I'm thinking one prime (400 or 500) and one zoom (hopefully a 70-200 or 100-400).

I'll be there on Wed, May 1 (if weather is good), or Fri pm May 3 (if May 1 is a wash-out), or if I'm lucky, both dates. Happy to meet up with anyone else that will be there. If there is a chance of a meet-up, should we wear some kind of identifying BCG garb to make it easier to spot each other? Or connect prior, exchange mobile numbers and set up a group chat the day of?
 
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tuned in for details.

I've been to Magee Marsh a handful times for Short Eared Owls, and Great Horned Owls - but it's always been outside of migration. I'm told migration turns the place into an insane tourist destination. I'll be going during migration for the first time this year.

from my experience out of season - a 400 2.8, 600 4, or 800 6.3 are all fine. from hearing what others have said about crowded boardwalks, people everywhere, etc. I'll probably opt for the 600 6.3 as my weapon of choice when I go this year during migration
 
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Carmel Nikon said:
When do you go for Owls?
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I've had good luck basically anytime from October - April

It's not "actually" Magee, but Howard Marsh Metropark nearby has TONS of Short Eared Owls. Before I found a couple of better spots, that was my go to. Can easily see 4+ at one time there.

And Ottawa Wildlife Refuge has a mated pair of Great Horned Owls that return year after year with offspring. I've heard that another pair of GHO have taken over an eagle nest there this year.
 
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Wonderful - thank you! I'll be back in the area in August, sounds like Howard Marsh may be a very worthwhile visit.

I'm really excited to explore and learn the rhythms of wildlife in these marshlands off Lake Erie. It's great to discover there's more than just the May migration to look forward to!
 
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Carmel Nikon said:
Wonderful - thank you! I'll be back in the area in August, sounds like Howard Marsh may be a very worthwhile visit.

I'm really excited to explore and learn the rhythms of wildlife in these marshlands off Lake Erie. It's great to discover there's more than just the May migration to look forward to!
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If you're there in August, don't forget creatures other than birds. Plenty of frogs, turtles, snakes, deer (especially Maumee Bay State Park), mink, muskrats, dragonflies, fireflies at night etc. At Howard Marsh, the yellow headed blackbirds can frequently be found in the cattails just past the boardwalk (look for folks with tripods set up). Also look for sora, Virginia rails and American Coots at Howard. There is a walking path all the way around but the side closest to the parking area seems to have everything you would want. Ottawa is great, especially if the roads through the WMA are open (not always the case) to vehicle traffic. If not, the walk is nice.

We live about 4-5 hours south and west of there but we manage to get to that area at least once a. year and try to get there a couple times a year. Far more to see than just the couple weeks of warbler migration.

Other than the lakeshore and a couple light houses, don't be looking for grand landscapes or a wilderness experience. It's not truly urban but it is not wilderness either. A few miles west you have Toleo and Oak Openings Metropark is a nice walk through the woods. We found some orchids (Ladies Tresses) when were there in September 2021. They were not too far from the main trail.

Hope you enjoy your time there. Like any other outdoor photo adventure, keep an open mind and be somewhat opportunistic with your photo subjects shooting what presents itself on that particular day and in that particular location.
 
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For those of you that use two cameras, each with a different lens, how do you carry them?

Or do you have one camera body and just switch between 2 lenses?
 
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I'm reviving this thread.......we are getting close to May! I'll be shooting in the area May 6,7 and 8th. We are staying at the Maumee Campground.

Any reports out there? Sightings?
 
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BillNaiman said:
I will be there the same time as you. In addition, since I live only about 90 minutes away, I plan to do 1 or 2 visits the week of April 29.
Some pics from previous years: https://www.billnaimanphotography.com/p519552642
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Oh my GOSH! Your images are just stunning! WOW! You must have a very good camera.....................:ROFLMAO:

Wish I could just follow you around so I could see what you see!
 
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getting excited to give this spot a test soon. I'll probably bring my 186, 400TC and 800PF and see which lens(es) get the most use.

the first weekend in May is for sure free for me, and I think I can swing the second weekend as well.

luckily I only live 2 hours away so I can also go everyday during/after work if it ends up being good
 
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I will check things out the first morning....probably with the Z8, 400 f4.5 with 1.4 tele.

I'm hoping to do some tripod work with my 600mm TC. So PLEASE give me suggestions on where in the area might be best to shoot on tripod.
 
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Will be my first time...I'll be there the morning of Wed, May 1...possibly can also do a return visit on Thurs pm May 16 (by then, with the crowds!). I'm lucky to have work reasons to be in the area in May.

Still firming up a plan, but for lenses I'm thinking a pair: 400 f/4.5 and a either a 70-200 f/2.8 or a 135 Plena. May also bring a backup 105 macro for insects and such. The two main lenses will be on a Z6 and Z8. Since I don't have a firsthand feel for the boardwalk scene, bird habits, etc., I'm figuring this will be a trial run in some ways, but the suggestions already offered here will help me better enjoy this first visit!
 
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Carmel Nikon said:
Will be my first time...I'll be there the morning of Wed, May 1...possibly can also do a return visit on Thurs pm May 16 (by then, with the crowds!). I'm lucky to have work reasons to be in the area in May.

Still firming up a plan, but for lenses I'm thinking a pair: 400 f/4.5 and a either a 70-200 f/2.8 or a 135 Plena. May also bring a backup 105 macro for insects and such. The two main lenses will be on a Z6 and Z8. Since I don't have a firsthand feel for the boardwalk scene, bird habits, etc., I'm figuring this will be a trial run in some ways, but the suggestions already offered here will help me better enjoy this first visit!
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I'll be interested how the Plena might perform in this environment. I'm trying to find a reason to get one! LOL!
 
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Butlerkid said:
For those of you that use two cameras, each with a different lens, how do you carry them?

Or do you have one camera body and just switch between 2 lenses?
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I have two carriers for using two cameras. For smaller camera/lens combinations, a Black Rapid dual camera model is OK. However, I'm not crazy about the Black Rapid with two large lenses - the Z8 with one lens and the Z9 with the other lenses (eg some mix of 100-400, 180-600, 600 PF, 800 PF). For those combos, I use a Holdfast Gear MM2. It handles the weight much better than the Black Rapid, however the Holdfast MM2 is rather expensive. The heaviest load I have carried with the MM2 is the Z9/800PF and Z8/180-600.
 
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Karen, if you're in the Maumee campground, don't overlook the boardwalk right there in the park and also look for shorebirds along the lake and the ponds out front of the lodge. Warblers are the main attraction but not the only birds migrating through there during this time of year. Have fun, looking forward to seeing your pictures and reading about your adventures.
 
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jeffnles1 said:
Karen, if you're in the Maumee campground, don't overlook the boardwalk right there in the park and also look for shorebirds along the lake and the ponds out front of the lodge. Warblers are the main attraction but not the only birds migrating through there during this time of year. Have fun, looking forward to seeing your pictures and reading about your adventures.
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Thanks, Jeff. I'm definitely NOT a birder. I'll target just about anything that moves! ;) I REALLY want a chance to enjoy my 600mm TC during my time in this area. The rest of my 4 weeks on the road will be spent doing architectural photography! o_O
 
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