The Bird is the Word in Ottawa County

For a little over one week in May, bird watchers from all over the world flock to the Lake Erie Marsh region of Northwest Ohio to observe what's been dubbed 'The Biggest Week in American Birding.'

The bird festival takes place May 6 through 16, 2010 at the Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge, Magee and Metzger Marsh Wildlife Areas, and Oak Openings Preserve, and celebrates the area's rich migratory bird population. The festival's principle goal is provide a primarily cost-free event for bird enthusiasts, while providing education and raising awareness for conservation.

"They're always amazed," said Rebecca Hinkle, visitor services manager with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. "They'll hear about the place and when they finally come out, they're amazed by the variety of birds they can see." The marshes surrounding Lake Erie are known for their warblers and song birds, but are also home to eagles, owls, hawks, cranes and many others. Rebecca explained now is the time migratory species of birds make their way north from South America. Upon spotting the lush vegetation and vast lake, they can't help but stop and rest before continuing north.

"They pile up here along the lake shore so they'll rest and feed. And that's what's great; they're healthy," she said. They've also molted their feathers, revealing even brighter colors underneath. With only a pair of binoculars, a comfortable pair of walking shoes, a field guide and a keen eye, anyone can experience all the wilderness has to offer. The festival's joint effort among several public and private sponsors provides a variety of free services, including bird walks, tours and seminars, and some more special engagements for a nominal fee, like bus trips to bird hot spots and talks by Kenn Kaufman, author of one of the most popular birding field guides today. The refuge even loans out binoculars to those just wanting to try out birding without making an investment.

"The idea is to get more people into birding. It makes birding accessible to people," said Keith Barnes, one of the guides on loan from bird watching tour company Tropical Birding. The Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge sees 150,000 visitors annually, with 200 visitors daily and as many as 10,000 on an extremely busy day. And visitors to The Biggest Week in American Birding are just as varied as the birds themselves, coming from as far away as Texas, California, The Netherlands, and Guam.

"We're getting more and more new people every year, and that's what we're pushing for. If people love something, they're going to want to protect it," explained Rebecca. And there comes a time in every future bird watcher's life when they take notice and begin to care about these creatures.

"I call it the 'Eureka moment.' There are birds that, when you see it, you say 'Whoa!' said Keith, who's 'Eureka moment' came in the form of a vulture while in Africa, but you don't have to travel to another continent to experience some of the best birding in the world. Sometimes just a peek out your window will do.

"People can go in their gardens. They can sit by their kitchen sinks and observe birds right in their own backyards," said Keith.

"It's something you can do anywhere in the world. Name a city and I'll tell you a place where you can go birding," said Iain Campbell, another guide with Tropical Birding. However, he has a soft spot in his heart for Northwest Ohio this time of year.

"There's nowhere in the planet better than right here, right now."