Midwest bird watching
  • Home
  • Birds
    • Backyard Birds >
      • American Goldfinch
      • American Robin
      • Barn Swallow
      • Baltimore Oriole
      • Black-Capped Chickadee
      • Blue Jay
      • Carolina Chickadee
      • Dark-Eyed Junco
      • Downy Woodpecker
      • Eastern Bluebird
      • Hairy Woodpecker
      • House Wren
      • Mourning Dove
      • Northern Cardinal
      • Red-Winged Blackbird
      • Rose-Breasted Grosbeak
      • Ruby-Throated Hummingbird
      • White-Breasted Nuthatch
    • Non-Feeder birds >
      • Waterfowl
      • Wading Birds, Shorebirds & Gamebirds
      • Raptors
      • Doves, Cuckoos, Nighthawks & Whip-poor-will
      • Warblers
      • Small Non-Warbler Perching Birds
      • Woodpeckers & Kin
      • Sparrows & Kin
      • Swallows, Hummingbirds & Swifts
      • Blackbirds
  • Blog
  • Resources
    • Book Reviews
    • App Reviews
    • Free Downloads
    • Other Resources
  • Videos
  • Presentations
  • Photo gallery
  • Contact
  • Birding Locations
  • Checklist
  • Eliminate Predators
    • Cats
    • Others
  • Attracting Birds
    • Bird Feeders
    • Nesting Boxes
    • Plants
    • Food
    • Tools
    • Water Supply

Is the Biggest Week really the biggest week?

5/11/2014

 
PictureBirding by ear with Michael O'Brien
I attended the Biggest Week in American Birding this year in northwest Ohio. It takes place at a stopover point for migratory birds that are attempting to cross the Great Lakes, so there are a wide variety of birds. But is it the "biggest week"? Yes! In many ways it is!

You will see a lot of bird species in a very short period of time, and most of those species will be in a small, easily accessible area. Often the birds will be at or near eye level and they will be close enough to easily identify. However, the number and proximity of birds is not what makes this the biggest week in my opinion. It is the biggest week because of the people.

Kim and Kenn Kaufman and the people at Black Swamp Bird Observatory have created an event that includes something for everyone. There are educational presentations, guided bus tours, auto tours, boat tours, bird hikes, and a large number of expert birders on hand in most locations to help you. When you attend the event, you'll be surrounded by enthusiastic birders of all levels from beginner to expert. There's an instant feeling of family as you run into old friends and make new ones.



You'll meet some extremely talented birders. For example, I met Deb Neidert, a guide who makes birding fun and exciting. I also got to go birding by ear with Mr. Michael O'Brien, co-author of the Shorebird Guide and the Larkwire app. He's an outstanding teacher and an unbelievably talented birder.


The entire event is designed to increase each attendee's love and appreciation of birds, and it certainly succeeds! The activities and enthusiasm continue to grow each year, making this the undeniable Biggest Week in American Birding!


Comments are closed.

    Author

    Alex Forsythe

    Archives

    May 2020
    April 2020
    July 2016
    May 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    October 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    February 2014
    November 2013
    October 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    May 2013
    February 2013
    December 2012
    October 2012

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.