05-02-2008, 08:20 PM
COLUMBUS, OH - Live raptor programs, songbird banding demonstrations and roving birding guides are a few of the features that will highlight International Migratory Bird Day, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, May 10, at Magee Marsh State Wildlife Area in Ottawa County.
In addition to bird watching opportunities at one of the nation's top-ranked birding locations, visitors also will have access to wagon tours of the marsh (10 a.m. to 2 p.m., weather permitting), decoy carving demonstrations, live animal displays including eagles, hawks, and owls, an optics exhibit, food tent and a free drawings.
Wildlife enthusiasts can view a wide range of birds from their automobiles or while walking the area's nearly two miles of paths and boardwalks. Birders can also take advantage of an observation tower overlooking the marsh. Additionally, they can walk the one-mile "Partnership Trail" that connects Magee Marsh to the Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge.
Magee Marsh State Wildlife Area has received national attention in Birder's World and Wild Bird magazines, each ranking the Ottawa County site as a "Top 10" best-birding location in North America. It is also designated as an Audubon Important Bird Area.
The Magee Marsh State Wildlife Area is located 17 miles west of Port Clinton on State Route 2 between State Routes 19 and 590. It is open to visitors from sunrise to sunset. The Sportsmen's Migratory Bird Center is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday year round. The center is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday from March through November. Call 419-898-0960, extension 31, for more information.
In addition to bird watching opportunities at one of the nation's top-ranked birding locations, visitors also will have access to wagon tours of the marsh (10 a.m. to 2 p.m., weather permitting), decoy carving demonstrations, live animal displays including eagles, hawks, and owls, an optics exhibit, food tent and a free drawings.
Wildlife enthusiasts can view a wide range of birds from their automobiles or while walking the area's nearly two miles of paths and boardwalks. Birders can also take advantage of an observation tower overlooking the marsh. Additionally, they can walk the one-mile "Partnership Trail" that connects Magee Marsh to the Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge.
Magee Marsh State Wildlife Area has received national attention in Birder's World and Wild Bird magazines, each ranking the Ottawa County site as a "Top 10" best-birding location in North America. It is also designated as an Audubon Important Bird Area.
The Magee Marsh State Wildlife Area is located 17 miles west of Port Clinton on State Route 2 between State Routes 19 and 590. It is open to visitors from sunrise to sunset. The Sportsmen's Migratory Bird Center is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday year round. The center is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday from March through November. Call 419-898-0960, extension 31, for more information.