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Nature & Wildlife

Bald Eagle
Walk quietly through our woods and marshes and spot some of our wildlife, including white-tailed deer, red fox, muskrat, turtles, pheasant and many different owls living alongside wildflowers, prairie grass, ancient trees and aquatic plant life

The air is always fresher here, the sunrises brighter, the water a fresh shade of blue, and the sunsets more stunning than just about anywhere else!  With no bright city lights, the nighttime sky reveals stars you may have never seen before.  Natural and man-made habitats allow us to live in harmony with the the Lake Erie Islands Region. 

Located at the junction of two migratory flyways, with more bald eagle nests than anywhere else in Ohio, The Lake Erie Islands Region offers some of the best bird watching in North America. 

Natural Areas

Black Swamp Bird Observatory
Black Swamp Bird Observatory, 13351 W. St. Rt. 2, Oak Harbor, 419-898-4070. Visit our nature center, located at the entrance to Crane Creek State Park and Magee Marsh Wildlife Area. A beautiful area where visitors can relax, watch birds at our feeders or walk to our new nature trail with easy access to all. Open year-round, the gift shop filled with local artwork, nature-themed books, toys, clothing, gifts, jewelry, maps, and more!  Website

Kuehnle Wildlife Area, Middle Bass Island. This 20-acre pond and adjacent area harbors an array of plant and animal life, including songbirds, wading birds, fish, turtles, salamanders and the rare Lake Erie water snake.

Magee Marsh
Magee Marsh Wildlife Area, 13531 St. Rt. 2, Oak Harbor, 419-898-0960.  One of the best wildlife-viewing areas in North America. With more than 2,000 acres of prime habitats and more than 300 species sighted in the past, Magee Marsh is an American birding "hot spot." The spring migration of warblers is spectacular; ducks, trumpeter swans, bald eagles, shorebirds, and raptors are also common.  Open dawn to dusk, year-round. Enjoy the indoor observation area and observation tower, trails through emergent marsh and forested beach ridge and boardwalk trails.  Website

Photo by Doreen Kirk
Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge, 14000 W. St. Rt. 2, Oak Harbor, 419-898-0014. Enjoy this 8,319–acre refuge including nine miles of hiking trails that wind through a variety of habitats that include marshes, uplands and forested wetlands.  Area bird watchers regard the refuge as one of the premier bird watching spots in the Midwest.  Trails open dawn to dusk, year-round.  Visitors Center open Monday through Friday 8 to 4. Restrooms, handicapped accessible, seven miles of pressed gravel trails.  Managed by United States Fish and Wildlife Service.  Website

Goose family
Sportsman's Migratory Bird Center,located at Magee Marsh Wildlife Area is open year-round Monday through Friday, 8 to 5 and Saturdays & Sundays March through November from 11 to 5 with special birding hours of 8 to 5 pm on Saturdays during April and May.  Restrooms, drinking fountain, handicap accessible.

Photo by ODNR
Because the Lake Erie Islands Region is a major migratory flyway, our miles and miles of natural shoreline are a magnet for both nomadic and established birds of all varieties.  Sightings of swans, bald eagles, countless ducks, hawks and families of Canada geese are commonplace nearly any day of the year.  Our “regulars” are complemented by dozens of surprise visitors at many “birding” locations throughout the area with different varieties arriving each month.  Don't forget the binoculars - they're a must-have!

 

 

 

 





Birding

Resting Swan
Because the Lake Erie Islands Region is a major migratory flyway, our miles and miles of natural shoreline are a magnet for both nomadic and established birds of all varieties.  Sightings of swans, bald eagles, countless ducks, hawks, and families of Canada geese are commonplace nearly any day of the year.  Our “regulars” are complemented by dozens of surprise visitors at many “birding” locations throughout the area with different varieties arriving each month.  Don't forget the binoculars - they're a must-have! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Birding by the Month

January
Swans, geese, bald eagle, northern shrike, mergansers, hawks, owls.

February
Great blue heron, swans, geese, bald eagle, pintails, gyrfalcon, owls.

March
Common loon, grebes, American bittern, brants northern shoveler, merlin, hawks, mergansers, soras, pectoral sandpiper.

April
Yellow-rumped, Nashville, western palm, swamp, black and white, black-throated, worm-eating, hooded, Louisiana, Kentucky, yellow-throated and prairie warblers; white-throated, swamp and song sparrow; hermit thrush; rub-crowned kinglets.

Early May
Yellow-rumped, magnolia, chesnut-sided, Nashville, black and white, and yellow warblers; Swainson's thrushes; ruby-crowned kinglet; white-throated sparrow; blue jay; common yellowthroat; orioles; tanagers, grosbeaks.

Late May
Magnolia,
Wilson's, mourning, Canada, and bay-breasted warblers; indigo bunting; cedar waxwing; American redstart; red-eyed vireo.

June
Flycatchers, eastern phoebe, swallows, blue-grey gnatcatcher, mockingbirds, loggerhead strike.

July
Lesser and greated yellowlegs, semi-palmated sandpipers, short-billed dowitchers, eastern phoebes, yellow warblers,
Baltimore orioles.

August
Mallards, blue-winged teals, yellowlegs, semi-palmated sandpipers, semi-palmated plovers.

September
Blue winged teals, green winged teals, rails, great egrets, terns, gulls, bald eagles, warblers, vireos, thrushes, white-throated sparrows.

October
Dabbling and diving ducks, Tundra swans, dunlin, American woodcock, white-throated sparrows, kinglets, thrushes, myrtle warbler.

November
Dabbling and diving ducks, herons, egrets, loons, northern harriers, rough-legged hawks.

December
Red-breasted merganser, goldeneyes, mallards, American black duck,
Canada geese. 





Welcome Birders to Ottawa County!

Lake Erie Wing Watcher Lodging Discounts

Discounts will be valid March 1-June 15, 2008 and September 15, 2008- March 1, 2009 unless otherwise specified.

 

Port Clinton/Catawba

 

A Touch of Italy

303 W. 4th St.

Port Clinton, OH 43452

419-732-3719

www.touchofitalybb.com

Individual Rate: $40 off per night per room.

Group Rate: same as above

Welcome sign, coffee for thermos, meeting place available with advance notice, meeting room (fee), small bird sanctuary, small pond, two bird baths, bird watching area maps, and knowledge of the best bird watching areas.

 

Beach Cliff Lodge                   

4189 N.W. Catawba Rd.

Port Clinton, OH  43452

419-797-4553

www.beachclifflodge.com

Individual Rate: 10%

Group Rate: 10%.

Welcome sign, coffee for thermos, and  23 acre Catawba nature park across the street.

 

Best Western

1734 E. Perry St.

Port Clinton, OH 43452

419-734-2274

www.putinbaybestwestern.com

Individual Rate: 10%

Group Rate: 15% ( 6 rooms)

Coffee for thermos, free wireless internet, HBO/cable TV, outdoor pool.

 

Commodore Perry Inn & Suites

255 W. Lakeshore Drive

Port Clinton, Ohio 43452

419-732-2645 fax # 419-732-6990

www.commodoreperry.com.

Individual Rate: $53.96

Meeting rooms, A/V, Welcome sign, Coffee for thermos. Restaurant onsite, Continental breakfast, box lunches.

 

Five Bells Inn

2766 Sand Rd.

Port Clinton, OH  43452

888-734-1555 or 419-734-1555

www.5bellsinn.com

Individual Rate: $75 per couple or per room.

2 bedroom cottage also available.

Meeting room for up to 25 people, TV/VCR/DVD, welcome sign, coffee for thermos, evening snacks, 2.5 acres for bird watching on property, lakefront view.

 

Fowl Foolers Lodge

4942 Fremont Rd.

Port Clinton, OH  43452

419-732-2147
www.fowlfoolers.com/lodge.htm

Rate: $30 per person , $100 per night minimum up to six people.

Our lodge sleeps up to 6 persons.  Meeting space for up to 10, TV/VCR, welcome sign, 2 coffeemakers.

 

Lakeland Motel

121 East Perry Street

Port Clinton, Ohio 43452

1-866-734-2101

www.lakelandmotel.com

Individual rate: 10%  off rack rate  Group rate 20% for 5 or more rooms. Welcome sign and coffee for thermos.

 

Marshall Inn

204  Monroe Street

Port Clinton, Ohio 43452

419-734-2707 or 1-877-376-5531

www.marshallinn.com

Individual rate: 10%  off  regular room rate.

Welcome sign, coffee for thermos, we will provide breakfast from 8– 9:30 am or send breakfast or box lunch as requested.

 

McKenna’s Inn Bed & Breakfast

5714 E. Pittsburgh St.

Port Clinton, OH  43452

877-410-5733 or 419-797-6148

www.mckennasinn.com

Individual Rate: $10 off deluxe room per night (may not be combined with other offers)..

Group Rate: Same as above.

Meeting room  for  8 available, A/V equipment, and coffee for thermos. Our location on a 6-acre wooded lot provides excellent birding opportunities.

 

Our Guest Inn & Suites—Downtown Port Clinton

220 E. Perry St.

Port Clinton, OH  43452

419-734-7111

www.ourguestinn.com

Individual Rate & Group Rate: March/April $29.99 + tax (Sunday-Friday), May $45 + tax, June $89 + tax, July/August $99 + tax, September $45 + tax, October-March, 2009 $29 + tax (Sunday-Friday)

Meeting place for up to 60 people, A/V available, welcome sign, coffee for thermos, All rooms have kitchenettes with microwaves and refrigerators.

 

Rt. 2 Lodge

3236 W. SR 2

Port Clinton, OH 43452

419-898-0622

www.rt2lodge.com

Individual rate:4 person minimum for 2 nights would receive 10% discount; 7 nights or more receives 20%

Group Rate: 10 people or more 2 night minimum receives 10%; 7 night stay receives 20%.

Coffee maker and coffee are supplied. We are located between Port Clinton and Oak Harbor about 2.5 miles east of Crane Creek State Park.

 

Sand Road Lake Front Lodging

2203 Sand Rd.

Port Clinton, OH  43452

419-732-3949

www.pclakefrontlodge.com

1 unit with King bed, overlooks lake– capacity 2  $65.00 per day. 1 unit two queen beds - capacity 4, $70.00 for 2+ $70.00 for 4. 1 apartment w/full kitchen, bedroom & deck facing the lake, Capacity 6, $65.00 for 2 + $10.00 per person extra. 1 cottage w/full kitchen, 2 bedroom & deck facing the lake, Capacity 8, $75.00 for 2 + $10.00 per extra person. Location & power for campers and / or motor homes, capacity 2, $30.00 for 2 + $2.00 per extra person. (Must have holding tank. Dumping stations are available locally at slight charge)

All units have bath, microwave oven, electric oven, electric coffee brewer, refrigerator, TV, VCR, & phone jack, all are smoke-free. Hi-speed internet access can also be provided.

 

Shade Acres Campground and Cottages

1810 W Catawba Rd.

Port Clinton, OH 43452

800-431-8449

www.shadeacres.com

Rate: $10 off per night valid April 15– May 24, 2008. 10% off valid May 25-October 15, 2008.

Small tented pavilion meeting area, Welcome sign, most rental units have own coffeemaker.

 

Sunny Side Tower Bed & Breakfast

3612 NW Catawba Rd.

Port Clinton, OH  43452

 419-797-9315, 888-831-1263

www.sunnysidetower.com

Rate: Individuals 15%

Groups: 20% (5 rooms).

Meeting space available, coffee for thermos, 17 acres of woods on-site with birding trails.

 

Super 8 Motel

1704 E. Perry St.

Port Clinton, OH 43452

419-734-4446

www.portclintonsuper8.com

Rate: Individual-10% off rack rate

Group: 15% 6 rooms

Coffee for thermoses, free wireless internet, HBO cable TV.

 

Tall Timbers Campground

340 S Christy Chapel Rd

Port Clinton OH 43452

419-732-3938

www.camplakeerie.com

Call for discounts.

 

White Caps Motel

2186 West Lakeshore Drive

Port Clinton, Ohio 43452

419-734-3816/ Fax: 419-734-0586

www.whitecapsonlakeerie.com

10% off weekday price, no weekend discounts, no holiday discounts. Coffeepot, refrigerator & microwave in all rooms. Visit our web site for more details.

 

Lakeside

Fountain Inn

236 Walnut Ave.

Lakeside, OH 43440

419-798-4461/ Fax: 419-798-5033

www.lakesideohio.com

Individual Rates: Our shoulder season rates. Call for details.

Welcome sign, coffee for thermos, meeting place, A/V available, “Continental Plus” breakfast for hotel guests.

 

 

Marblehead

 

Lake Point Motel

908 E. Main Street

Marblehead, Ohio 43440

419-798-4684

www.lakepointmotel.com

Individual and group rates:  10% regular low rates. Welcome sign, in-room coffee makers, refrigerators, picnic area nestled among the trees on the shore of Lake Erie.

 

Victorian Inn Bed & Breakfast

5622 E. Harbor Rd.

Marblehead, OH 43440

 800-501-3791 / 419-734-5611

www.victorianinnbb.com

50% off room rates (Sunday-Thursday) Whole house rental available.

Meeting room for up to 40 people. A/V available, coffee for thermos, Meals and body massages at additional cost.

 

Put-in-Bay

 

Ahoy Bed & Breakfast

361 Doller Avenue

Put-in-Bay, Ohio 43456

419-285-2469

www.ahoypib.com.

$50.00 rate per room March-May; $65 May-June (Sunday-Thursday)

Meeting room for 8. Complimentary bikes to get around the island.

 

Put-in-Bay Resort and Conference Center

439 Loraine Ave.

Put-in-Bay, Ohio 43456

1-888-742-7829

www.putinbayresort.com

Discount: Individual-$95.00 per night.

Groups: $95 per night including breakfast

Welcome sign available, coffee for thermoses, meeting place, A/V equipment, heated pool, swim-up bar, refrigerators in all rooms, discounts on golf carts.

 

Middle Bass Island

 

Middle Bass Island Inn B&B

80 Fox Road

Middle Bass Island 43446

614-436-4653/ 614-761-9175

www.middlebassinn.com

Individual Rate: 10% off current rates at that time.

Group Rate: 2 night stay minimum for discount

Discounts will be valid March 1-May 15, 2008 and September 15, 2008-March 1, 2009

6 bedrooms, 3,800 square feet total, 200 ft of Lake frontage.

 

St. Hazards Village on the Beach

1233 Fox Road

Middle Bass Island 43446

800-837-5211

www.sthazards.com

Call for discounts.

Meeting room available for 50 people. A/V available. Welcome sign and coffee for thermos.

 

 

Sandusky

 

Camp Sandusky

3518 Tiffin Ave.

Sandusky, OH 44870

419-626-1133

www.campsandusky.com

Individual Rate: 15%

Group Rate: 20%

Meeting place, Welcome sign, coffee for thermoses, pancake and sausage breakfast, group dinners.

 

 

 

 

 





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