Ohio’s Coastal Trail became my go-to, rainy day activity as I visited places along Lake Erie and wished the rain to stop! In Arizona I would have loved to see all this rain. In Ohio, with my hopes of observing migrating warblers during my 2 days here, I was not a happy camper! Time to be flexible…
The first day I arrived at Magee Marsh; the only wild shore and marsh in northwest Ohio. I walked the entire bird trail. Many people were here also because in 5 days the big birding event will be happening here. Specifically, people from all over the world are also wanting to see the migrating warblers. I had no plans to attend the event, since I had more travel ahead, but hoped to see a new warbler for my life list. Day one, no new bird.
Day two: pouring rain last night and expectation of rain all this day. As it was raining in the morning, I chose breakfast with coffee at a local restaurant … no sense trying to battle the cold and wind to brew my own coffee! If you’re in Perrysburg, Ohio, stop in Hang Over Easy for breakfast or lunch … good food!
I decided to drive east, then backtrack west along Lake Erie’s coastline to return to Magee’s Marsh. White-caps were on the lake. Cold, blustery wind and probably the fastest sight-seeing I had ever done. First, Marblehead Lighthouse, since 1822, … impressive building, but closed. I learned it is one of Lake Erie’s most – photographed landmarks. During the summer you can climb the 77 steps to its top for a good view of the lake and Marblehead Peninsula.
Second, Great Egret Marsh Nature Preserve. I discover it is a Nature Conservancy property. I walked the overgrown 1.2 mile trail. No one thinks winter is over here to mow it quite yet. I saw some birds … egrets, herons and strong fliers coping with the rain and wind.
Third, restored Port Clinton’s historic lighthouse from 1896, active for 30 years and decommissioned in 1952. It is the shortest lighthouse, 26 feet, in Ohio. If you are in the area, their annual celebration is August 16, 2025.
Finally Magee Marsh! I stopped at the visitor center. There are excellent displays and worth a stop. By the time I walked a section of the bird trail, it stopped raining!! For about an hour, on a half mile section, here are some of the birds I saw. Unfortunately, no new birds for me!
Next day I drove to Presque Isle., further east on the Lake Erie coastline. A couple I met, at the campground I stayed, told me of a coffee-chocolate place, Romolo’s Chocolates. Of course, a hot mocha hit the spot after another day’s driving in the wind and rain. (I mention wind because with a van I feel every gust!) Anyway, plenty of chocolate to choose at this one-and-only place. A guy in the parking lot jokingly asked if I drove all the way from Arizona to this chocolate place in Erie, Pennsylvania … no, but almost! He kindly gave me a map of Presque Isle and I headed off in the wind and rain! In between raindrops, I hopped out to see what birds were around. Not many! Hardy red-breasted mergansers for the most part.
The Tom Ridge Environmental Center was my next stop since I usually have good weather and skip stopping here. But with the lousy weather, it was good to step indoors and see their displays. Really nice place and I walked up their tower which allows you to look out over Lake Erie from this part of its coast. No warblers are going through here, except for yellow warblers and yellow-rumped warblers. So many warblers are migrating on the western coastline of Ohio, not here. However, many terns, mergansers and diving birds are here.
North East, Pennsylvania has about 14 wineries in the area. My Harvest Host location for the night was at one. Apparently there is a microclimate that does well for growing grape vines … who knew? And now you know!
