We returned home yesterday from spending five days in northwest Ohio, birding at Magee Marsh and Ottawa NWR, and enjoying programs during the Biggest Week in American Birding. We had heard from many birding friends that Magee Marsh was amazing, but we still managed to underestimate the birding there… it was truly PHENOMENAL. We can’t wait to go back! This is the first of several posts on our time there… starting with some bird banding.
Baltimore Oriole
On Saturday morning we spent some time at the Black Swamp Bird Observatory banding station (which we also visited last fall) and got to see some beautiful birds in the hand.
Indigo Bunting
Nashville Warbler
The audience was large and several banders and volunteers showed the birds while explaining the process and what we learn from bird banding.
Traill’s Flycatcher
Magnolia Warbler
BSBO director Kim Kaufman explained that birds have a preen gland which secretes oil used in preening. And then she showed it to us, using a Gray Catbird she had in the hand, which was very cool.
White-crowned Sparrow
Yellow Warbler
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