Registration for the Biggest Week has been open for over a week now and a record number of people are already signed up. Trips and talks are selling out but there are still plenty more left. If you are planning on going, sign up today – registration is easy! Just go to the Biggest Week website and sign up online.
Baltimore Oriole near the Magee boardwalk
Whoa! Back up for a second – did I just say that a lot of people have signed up already? Doesn’t that mean that it will be crowded? Maybe. More so on the Magee boardwalk than anywhere else – but keep in mind – more people means more eyes. More eyes means that no bird goes unnoticed. See that Black-billed Cuckoo over there? No? The person next to you did and I bet they will announce it and help you find it. You will be surrounded by birders. Surrounded by people who are enjoying themselves and who all have a common interest.
It can get crowded on the boardwalk, but remember that you all have the same motive!
I am not a person who likes crowds. I try to avoid them. This crowd, however, I like. If it weren’t for them, I would have missed this bird that was basically out in the open – if you knew where to look.
Eastern Screen-Owl over the boardwalk
If you find that it is too crowded on the boardwalk, you can always venture out to other areas around it without having to get in your car. Magee has plenty of trails along Lake Erie and the surrounding marsh.
Palm Warbler at Magee, but not on the boardwalk
Many great birds showed up specifically in these spots.
This Yellow-bellied Flycatcher was on a trail near the lake
There are also other great places in the area that are very birdy – Maumee Bay, Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge, Metgzar Marsh, Pearson Metropark, Oak Openings… I birded all of these last year! You can go on your own or sign up for guided field trips.
Chances of seeing a Summer Tanager at Oak Openings are much higher than at Magee
At the end of a long day of birding, there is still plenty to do. Keynote speakers are giving talks every night at Maumee and Ottawa. Socials, which are included with your registration, offer free refreshments and music, book signings, raffles and even a bird tattoo contest. Meet new friends or even some well known birders who may be lurking around.
Barn Swallows at the visitor center
New this year is a CafePress shop full of awesome gear featuring the Biggest Week logo. All proceeds will go right back into the Black Swamp Bird Observatory research and education. Interested? Head on to the brand new CafePress store – there is plenty to choose from!
Check out the Biggest Week CafePress store!
You can also opt to donate $10 during registration to the Save the Golden-Wing Project to offset your travel carbon footprint—and support creation of a habitat corridor in Nicaragua for overwintering Golden-winged Warblers. Speaking of Golden-winged Warblers… if you haven’t seen one, this may be your chance!
One of a few Golden-winged Warblers I saw at Magee
The Biggest week is not just about birding. You will meet many people and can make new friends. I’ve met so many great people during this festival who I still keep in touch with. I am looking forward to seeing them and finding birds together in May!