Doug Herr
Well-known member
Noted, thanks!
Magee Marsh - Any tips for a first-timer? (going in May '24)
- Thread starter Carmel Nikon
- Start date
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Wow! To those who contributed -- thanks for all the helpful info!
We will be camping at Maumee, too!
It feels like there is BCG meet-up potential around this early May bird migration venue! Perhaps we can entice Steve to join us as well? 
TRW
Member
Lots of great birding at Magee and neighboring marshes, Sheldon, Howard, Ottowa, are all super productive during the migration. Last few hears tripods were verboten on the boardwalk but monopods were fine. I’m planning to be there on and off during the migration and will be there for the Big Week. BTW optics alley at the Black Swamp Bird Observatory during the big week is a super place to try and compare optics.
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Some rambling notes on Magee. I live about 90 minutes away so it is a relatively easy outing.
- Try to avoid weekends if at all possible.
- For the last few years, tripods on the boardwalk must be used as monopods. I find hand held shooting to be best since subjects move frequently, can be at eye level, 5-20 ft above eye level, to your right, left, and rear.
- I try to make 4 boardwalk passes each day I am there. 2 are in the early morning light before the crowds thicken. 2 are in the late afternoon light after crowds lessen. Late afternoon light can be surprisingly good.
- For the two passes in the AM and PM, I can return to my car in between the passes to switch lenses if I think it will be helpful.
- During the crowded times, I walk the lake trail as well as visit Metzger, Ottawa, Sheldon, etc... as mentioned by others earlier in this topic
- I have not found any particular lens to be the optimal lens. Birds can be within a few feet or far enough the even the 800PF won't fill the frame
- If you are able to carry two cameras, that can be a big help, pairing your longest lens ( up to 500mm -> 800mm) and a zoom that has a shorter minimum focus distance, like to 100-400 or 70-200. The 180-600, based on its quality and versatility is a good single lens option. If you can carry a two camera load with the 180-600 and 800, go for it. I did some off boardwalk trails with that load and the range of coverage came in handy.
- The foliage will vary during the peak migration period. Earlier during the peak migration when there is less leaf prominence, it will be easier to isolate subjects, but there are fewer birds. Once the area has leafed out significantly, there are more birds, but shots are more difficult.
- Here's a link to a gallery I have which contains images from the migration period. All images are from the areas discussed in the this topic. Most images were from Magee, even though the image name does not include "Magee".
- Try to avoid weekends if at all possible.
- For the last few years, tripods on the boardwalk must be used as monopods. I find hand held shooting to be best since subjects move frequently, can be at eye level, 5-20 ft above eye level, to your right, left, and rear.
- I try to make 4 boardwalk passes each day I am there. 2 are in the early morning light before the crowds thicken. 2 are in the late afternoon light after crowds lessen. Late afternoon light can be surprisingly good.
- For the two passes in the AM and PM, I can return to my car in between the passes to switch lenses if I think it will be helpful.
- During the crowded times, I walk the lake trail as well as visit Metzger, Ottawa, Sheldon, etc... as mentioned by others earlier in this topic
- I have not found any particular lens to be the optimal lens. Birds can be within a few feet or far enough the even the 800PF won't fill the frame
- If you are able to carry two cameras, that can be a big help, pairing your longest lens ( up to 500mm -> 800mm) and a zoom that has a shorter minimum focus distance, like to 100-400 or 70-200. The 180-600, based on its quality and versatility is a good single lens option. If you can carry a two camera load with the 180-600 and 800, go for it. I did some off boardwalk trails with that load and the range of coverage came in handy.
- The foliage will vary during the peak migration period. Earlier during the peak migration when there is less leaf prominence, it will be easier to isolate subjects, but there are fewer birds. Once the area has leafed out significantly, there are more birds, but shots are more difficult.
- Here's a link to a gallery I have which contains images from the migration period. All images are from the areas discussed in the this topic. Most images were from Magee, even though the image name does not include "Magee".
I really enjoyed your gallery! Delightful images!
I went for the first time a couple of years ago, the first part of May, and one week before the "Big Week." It was already crowded (more than I would've thought) and at times difficult to position oneself to get a good photo. You can't take a tripod anymore, so you're limited to a monopod. I had just switched from Nikon to the Canon R5/RF100-500 and I was literally just learning the function of that camera when I went. That said, I found the 100-500 to be more than adequate for 90% of my shots. Some eagles were nesting there that I might've gotten better with an 800mm, but apart from that, what you're contemplating taking should be adequate. I don't know where you are coming from, but I came from Greenville, SC, and I was surprised at how cold it was there the first week of May--so pack warm clothes--you may need them. The wind coming off Lake Erie is brutal. Just down the road a mile or so is the Ottawa NWR, another great birding site, and an 800mm could come in handy there. Pack a lunch--you're pretty far from anything at Magee Marsh/Ottawa NWR, and it's a good drive back to a place where you can get something to eat (I stayed in Oregon, OH--to the west of Magee Marsh). The warblers weren't as plentiful as some have claimed when I went, but I still got some fantastic shots of yellow, black and blue, yellow-rumped, and magnolia warblers. Plus, assorted other wading birds/small birds. Good luck and good shooting!
Charlie, I'm not sure to what year you are referring, but I do agree that about 3 years ago it was exceptionally chilly with a biting wind from the north. And, yes, that year the migrants, for the most part, were late in coming north. Most likely they still were further south and waiting for more favorable winds for their flight over Lake Erie.
A down side that happens most every year, is that the larger population arrives concurrent with some sustained warmer weather, foliage emergence, and insect activity. The thicker foliage does make subject isolation more challenging.
Thanks
I went in May (4, 5, 6) 2022; as I recall we were there just under a week before the big week. It was cold/rainy all three days. I think we saw the sun peek through just a few times. I know an avid birder here locally who is originally from the Toledo area and he said it was always hit or miss--he said he rarely got there at "peak" times. He said a better place is in Canada almost due north of Magee Marsh--I forgot the name of the place but he said that was always more fruitful (for him) in spotting a multitude of warblers.
DonM
New member
Pt Pelee National Park is the Canadian equivalent on the other side of the lake.
Is visiting Pt Pelee worth a day trip?
It is worth it. One of the best in Canada for song birds. May the best time. Summer not much to spot
We, my spouse and I, don't have a lot of experience. We went to both places last year for our first time. I would say that the trip was definitely worth it, but not for a single day. We spent 5 days at Pt. Pelee and about 7 days at Magee. Easy t to do if you have the time. We saw a greater variety at Pt. Pelee, but we got closer to the birds at Magee. At Magee the trees are not as tall and the birds seem to be more concentrated. At Pt. Pelee, the trees were taller and a little more spread out, but greater variety. I can't say this is in general or not, because of our limited experience. If you are going for only 3-4 days, it will be an overwhelming experience. We are probably going back this year, but haven't decided for sure yet.
We are camping. If I had known, I could have made reservations and done something similar. Next year.....
We went last year for the first time. We found the "crowds" along the boardwalk in limited areas and not the entire walkway. The walkway is over a mile with some loops and side split off's. The crowds and volunteer guides were helpful in that they were able to point out specific hard-to-spot birds and were generally very polite. The nesting Am. Woodcock we saw wouldn't have been possible without the crowd!
Doug Herr
Well-known member
May 8? We might have rubbed shoulders.
You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.
Same bird -- different day. My photos are taken on the 6th.
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DripDryMcFleye
Well-known member
I also got a shot of that same woodcock. I had to ask what everybody was looking at. I couldn't find it until a young lady showed me the shot she had made with her phone. Happily, I have found most people there to be friendly.
Larry Shuman
Well-known member
I've been at Magee for years and years. The year 2023 was the worst I've seen in years. The whole month of May was cold wind out of the northwest and more cold wind out of the northeast. This virtually shut the door on anything flying north. Now that said there some birds that made it there. I got a few images but you could work the entire boardwalk and NOT see a bird all morning. Or a Palm or Pronthonotary might bop out in front of you for a second or two. I don't want you folks to get excited about coming then get dissapointed when the weather is crap. Cold and windy. Its best to begin to look at weather patterns before leaving for Magee. Do not beleve the hipe coming from the commerical establishments on weather patterns. I use eith a 300mm F:4 or a 200-500mm F:5.6 AF and either a D810 or D800E wit SB-910 fill flash. Here are a coupe a images from last year.
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Lovely images, Larry!
I plan to arrive there early in the morning. But - how easy is it to find a parking place mid-day or late afternoon?
Larry Shuman
Well-known member
There are 3 parking lots. You'll drive past the 1st one turn into the second one that goes into the 3rd one, On your way thru the 2nd one you'll pass the parking lot eagle nest.
I have been considering going as well and appreciate your advice. The photos on your website are superb.