For over 15 years we’ve traveled to Magee Marsh in early May to celebrate International Migratory Bird Day and watch warblers, thrushes, and other birds return north.
The boardwalk at Magee Marsh is packed with birders (people who watch birds) with their binoculars and cameras hoping to add another bird to their life list. It’s something I look forward to every year.
We join hundreds of birders each year who get up early and head out on the famous boardwalk. “Did you see the Northern Parula? It’s on the second loop to the right.”
Birders are an interesting group; people of all ages go birdwatching. They are some of the friendliest and most willing people to share and teach others I’ve ever met.
By the end of the day we all have “birder’s back” and welcome the opportunity to sit down in the car to review the birds we’ve seen.
This year we saw just over three dozen birds as well as snakes, turtles, and deer (and license plates from over 30 states and two Canadian provinces).
The surprise for the day was when four American White Pelicans flew overhead.
As we left Magee Marsh, I overheard a couple chatting in front of us.
The woman commented to her male companion,
We met some interesting characters today.
I wasn’t sure if she meant people on the boardwalk, or birds.
I’m not a birder (my husband is though) but I love the birds *and* the people!
Me too! Part of why I enjoy birding so much is the different people we meet. Have made some lifelong friends on birding adventures.