There's a special place called Maggi Marsh in Ohio where warblers and the humans who love them

converge every spring.

This site is a 2,000-acre complex of wetlands and forest on the southern shore of Lake Erie.

In late April and early May, up to 37 New World Warbler species pass through McGee Marsh as they migrate

north into the boreal forests of Canada. These birds have come all the way from Mexico,

Central America, and South America. Crossing Lake Erie is no small feat for a tiny bird, so the

warblers often stop to rest and refuel at McGee Marsh.

Some will stick around to nest here, but most of them will continue northward over the lake.

Every year, hundreds, and even thousands of birders come from all over North America and all

over the world, actually, to visit McGee Marsh during peak

warbler awesomeness. Birders and photographers crowd onto the wooden boardwalks to get close-up

looks at colorful birds like blackthroated blue warbler, bay-breasted warbler, prothonitary warbler,

Canada warbler, chestnut-sided warbler, and a whole mess of other species.

Sometimes the crowd of birders packs in so tightly on the creaking boardwalk that people are elbowing each other and jostling around to get a good look or a photo when a warbler hops onto the scene.

It's often possible here to see these little birds at eye level and close

up, which is a rare experience elsewhere. The gathering at McGee Marsh is basically like Woodstock

or Lollapalooza for birders. People actually call it warbler stock. So when a gorgeous warbler lands

near the boardwalk, everyone gets worked into a frenzy. A mosh pit

starts up and basically all hell breaks loose. Crowdsurfing, fist fights, beer bottles, and

giant camera lenses getting smashed on people's heads, lots of yelling and screaming. Well,

that's what I imagine happens anyway.

I don't actually know since I haven't been to McGee Marsh myself.

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