It’s probably safe to say that every US birder enjoys seeing and hearing warblers, especially during spring migration. We start this trip in northwestern Ohio, near the site that is most famous for spring birding – Magee Marsh. Hundreds of birders converge on this destination every spring, expecting to be rewarded with up-close sightings of Blackburnian Warblers, American Redstarts, Prothonotary Warblers, Black-throated Blue Warblers: perhaps two dozen or more species in a single day! The warblers are always joined by a fine assortment of vireos, thrushes, flycatchers and other songbirds.

With so many other birders in the area, reports of rarities spread almost instantly. You can expect to find yourself moving along the boardwalk to chase something that was just sighted by other birders not far away.

This area has a fantastic assortment of additional birding sites as close as just five minutes away, covering different types of habitats. Each has the potential for finding new bird species, and our guides will be sure to have you visit at least a few of these.

After three full days in Ohio it will be time to head north into Michigan. The main reason we go north is to see Kirtland’s Warblers, but there are several species more likely to be seen here than back in Ohio. As we bird around Michigan, we will be looking for Upland Sandpiper, Virginia Rail, Sora, Black Tern, Willow Flycatcher, Sedge Wren, Yellow-headed Blackbird, Brewer’s Blackbird, Clay-colored Sparrow and Evening Grosbeak!