Point Pelee and Ohio
Waves of Migrating Birds

Approximate dates: May 7-15, 2011

Some of the continent's finest spring birdwatching awaits us at Point Pelee National Park in Ontario and McGee Marsh in northwestern Ohio. Our goal is 30 species of warbler, including Prothonotory, Cerulean, Hooded (above), Kentucky, and perhaps Kirtland's (shown to the right from Pt. Pelee). But the waves of migrants at these hotspots will include tanagers and thrushes, orioles and grosbeaks, pouring from the skies.

This trip is also an opportunity to spend quality time with shorebirds and hawks. We've seen King Rail and Trumpeter Swan on this outing. And chances are good that something odd -- like a Ruff or a Western Tanager (Bryan has seen both at Pt. Pelee) -- will make an appearance.

The trip begins near Toledo, Ohio, on May 7, where we usually get walkaway looks at Cerulean and Hooded warblers, among many others. We'll bird Crane Creek State Park (McGee Marsh), where sonbirds are often within arm's reach.

From there, we'll drive to the legendary Pt. Pelee, a penninsula pointing south into Lake Erie. It is the first landfall for countless neotrpoical migrant songbirds crossing the lake. We'll hope for a fallout, but we can always expect to get close to warblers and other songbirds tired out from the crossing. The shorebirding around Pt. Pelee can be excellent. We're also planning a trip to Rondeau Provincial Park, which is a reliable spot for nesting Prothonotory Warbler and other rarities.

Logistics: This outing is limited to 10 participants. (Note that Vermont Bird tours now limits our group sizes to 10 birders on most trips, which provides a high-quality experience for everyone.) Your options are to fly in and out of Toledo, Ohio, or to car-pool from Vermont. The fee for this outing is not yet set, but will be priced better than similar trips to the region offered by the major tour companies (and our group is most often smaller).

If you're interested in this outing and would like periodic updates on its status over the next year, please send an email to Bryan.