In 2000, Wild Bird Magazine rated Magee Marsh the ninth best birding location in North America!
Magee Marsh Wildlife area is the best place in Ohio to witness the spectacle of the spring migration of neotropicals. The visitors come for the orioles, thrushes, vireos, flycatchers, and raptors, but it is the warblers that really attract the attention!
There are about 37 species of warblers that usually make an appearance, sometimes in huge numbers. Because of a reluctance to cross Lake Erie, the birds pile in on forested beach ridges in large numbers and provide spectacular bird watching opportunities. Magee is one of only four remaining beach ridges along the southern shore of Lake Erie. It is unique because it provides all of the components vital to a marsh system - beach ridge, deep and shallow water, open marsh, sedge meadow and blue joint stands. It is also one of the few remaining remnants of the Great Black Swamp. With about 2000 acres Magee Marsh provides critical stopover habitat for migrating birds. It's like a giant rest stop where they can rest and re-fuel before continuing on their journey! Although some warblers do nest at Magee, most are going farther north to raise their families. So most of the over 300 species of birds sighted at Magee Marsh are just passing through!
Anytime from mid April through May is good, but typically the peak migration occurs during the first two weeks of May. This is when you are most likely to see the greatest numbers and species of birds. 
As the leaves come out it is more of a challenge to view the warblers. The key to spectacular bird watching is weather! When low pressure cells build up in Arkansas and we have good southwest winds with a sharp increase in temperature as a front moves in, one is most likely to witness the heaviest migration. International Migratory Bird Day is celebrated the Saturday before Mother's Day each year and attracts thousands of birders to Magee each year. The visitors, which include birders and many photographers, come from all across America and even foreign countries to experience the magic of spring migration.
There are four trails that are open to the public at Magee Marsh. There is also the Sportsmen's Migratory Bird Center where you can pick up a bird checklist, get a map, purchase a field guide, or find out what birds have been seen.
A habitat display area features many of the birds that you are likely to see while at Magee Marsh. The Bird Center is open year round Monday - Friday from 8 am to 5 pm. From March through November, the Bird Center is also open on weekends from 11 to 5, with extended hours on Saturdays in April and May. The Wildlife Area is open during daylight hours. Near the Bird Center are two trails that visitors can explore. The Magee Marsh Walking Trail has two half mile loops that begin and end at a 42 foot observation tower. New in 2003, a connecting trail between Magee Marsh and adjacent Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge. The Magee Marsh Beach trail is about a half mile stretch of beach that is open for wildlife viewing only - no swimming please. Although all of the trails offer the chance to see the birds, it is the Magee Marsh Bird Trail, or Boardwalk, that is the most popular. Although it is only seven acres, the Boardwalk can literally be "raining warblers" if the conditions are right!