Northwest Ohio has become famous for experiencing spring songbird migration, even becoming known as the “Warbler Capital of the World”! On this trip, we will hit the classic hotspots and soak in the magic of migration. With hundreds of thousands of birds on the move, the diversity of species changes daily, which will keep us on our toes. The excitement of searching for rare migrants is electric, and there isn’t a better place to spend a week during peak migration!
We will keep things flexible to best take advantage of the conditions at hand. We will make a point to visit each of the top spots throughout our week, but which day and when will be dictated by the weather, migration, and the discretion of your guide. All nights are at the same hotel throughout, and the planned arrival and departure airport is Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW).
Daily Overview
18 May: Arrivals to Detroit Airport, and pick-up at 230pm, followed by a 1-hr drive. We may do a little late afternoon birding before check-in, but we will aim to begin dinner by 730pm. Night at our lodge near Toledo.
19 May: Transfer to Maumee Bay, birding en route or at Maumee Bay.
20, 21, 22, & 23 May: Our daily plan will remain flexible but we will hit a combination of the following locations and possibly others too:
Magee Marsh Wildlife Area: A place that will likely feature prominently during our week in Ohio, the famous Magee Marsh Wildlife Area is a true birding hotspot! The swamp forest habitat runs up against the shore of Lake Eerie, and creates a perfect stop-over site for migrating songbirds. We will wander down the 1.2 mile long boardwalk through the swamp forest, enjoying a wide array of migrant songbirds, especially warblers! A few warbler species we might see here include: Bay-breasted, Blackburnian, Blue-winged, Prothonotary, Mourning, Cape May, and Black-throated Blue Warblers. Some other migratory birds often make an appearance here, like Eastern Whip-poor-will and Black-billed Cuckoo. We also stand a good chance of finding a sleeping Eastern Screech-Owl or American Woodcock while working our way around the boardwalk.
Howard Marsh Metropark: In the afternoon, we may visit Howard Marsh Metropark, where we can find a few wetland species and migrant shorebirds like American Golden-Plovers, Dunlin, and both Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs. Howard Marsh also has a few resident Yellow-headed Blackbirds that we will look for. This charismatic marsh bird is typically a ‘western’ species, and will make for a fun addition to our Ohio trip.
Maumee Bay Lodge: Birding the grounds around the lodge can also be quite rewarding. Walking the 2.3 mile loop boardwalk through swamp forest is a great place to spot any overshoot migrants like Hooded, Kentucky, and Worm-eating Warblers. The forest here also holds Red-headed Woodpeckers, Eastern Screech-Owls, and Swamp Sparrows. The marsh on the east end of the property is a great spot to listen to American Bitterns sounding off with their unique “kerPLUNK”-ing calls.
Oak Openings Preserve Metropark: This unique metropark, located just west of Toledo, is one of the best sites to see a few specialties that aren’t common elsewhere in northern Ohio. The sandy soil and unique plant life make it very different to the more typical hardwood forest parks around Toledo. The biggest target for our visit to Oak Openings will be Lark Sparrow, followed by Henslow’s Sparrow and Summer Tanager.
Pearson Metropark: A remnant of Black Swamp, with a mix of old growth forest and wetland habitats, here we might bump into birds like Blue-winged Teal, Sora, American Woodcock, Broad-winged Hawks, Least Flycatcher, Black-capped Chickadees, Gray-cheeked Thrush, White-crowned Sparrow, with some of the more regular warblers here being, Nashville, Magnolia, Blackburnian, and Black-throated Blue.
24 May: Morning Birding & Departure. After another morning hitting the hotspots and trying to round up any species that have eluded us so far, after lunch we will head for the Detroit Airport with the plan to arrive by 4pm.
PRICE & BOOKING INFO
Tour Price/person*: $2875
Deposit: $1000/person
Single supplement: $550
Final Payment Due: January 17, 2026
Group size: 6 to 9 guests
Hillstar Nature strongly recommends all guests purchase travel insurance that covers Trip Cancellation, Trip Curtailment, Trip Interruption, and Emergency Medical and Medical Evacuation.
*Based on double occupancy at lodgings, with a group size of 6 to 9 registrants. Maximum group size is 9 registrants, plus guide(s) and driver(s). If there are fewer than 6 registrants, this tour may be cancelled or re-negotiated. Note that if you want a roommate we can try to find you one, but we cannot guarantee all guests a roommate. If none is available, you will be charged the single supplement.
The tour price (fee) includes:
All accommodations from Day 1 until Day 6.
All meals from dinner on Day 1 through lunch on Day 6.
All transportation from airport pick-up in Detroit on Day 1 to airport drop-off on Day 6.
All guiding services, access permits and entrance fees to birding areas included.
Tips for restaurant staff.
Excluded from your tour fee are:
International arrival and departure flights. We can advise, but do not book international flights.
Alcoholic beverages, beyond the 1 drink included with each dinner.
Personal expenses such as laundry services, charges for phone calls, additional expenses associated with travel such as insurance, visa fees, airport taxes, airline baggage fees, COVID tests, vaccinations, etc.
Tips for guide, or hotel/maid staff.
Documents
All guests traveling by air must have a Real ID or Passport in order to board a domestic flight.
CANCELLATION POLICY
Please review Hillstar Nature’s Terms and Conditions of Booking. If a guest/participant cancels registration:
● 120 days or more prior to the start of the tour, a refund is issued minus a $500/person processing fee.
● Between 119 and 90 days prior to the start of the tour, half of the tour fee will be returned to the registrant.
● 89 days or less prior to departure, no refund of payments or deposits are issued.