Magee Marsh is the Warbler capital of the world! At least we call it that, having traveled here to revel in the annual warbler migration each May over the last 9 years, missing only the Covid year. I have shared photos showing the hoards of birders and photographers lining the boardwalks at Magee Marsh while colorful Warblers zip about, gorging themselves on the spring bug hatch before they fly across Lake Erie to points north for their breeding season. People visit Magee in May from all over the world, at times it is so crowded on the boardwalk that foot traffic is stopped, as well as lines forming for the numerous porta-potties staged in the vast parking areas. John’s photos of Warblers have been shared far and wide for their beauty. The spectacle of being so close to so many of these marvelous little birds is quite exhilarating.
So, we thought, why not stop at Magee Marsh again while we are traveling to our own points north? Surely, there will still be a few Warblers there, and we like the campground with its spacious sites, bike trails, and nice showers. Sure, why not? Well, midges are why not! Millions and millions of midges. There was one other car in the main parking lot when we arrived — normally, we get there before sunrise not only so John can make sunrise photos, but also to secure a good parking spot near the boardwalk entry and to be close to the numerous porta-potties! The parking areas fill up early so if you arrive after say, 8 o’clock in the morning, you’ll be hoofing it from way out in the back-forty lots.
What a difference a month makes! That only one car was there when we drove in–the driver was preparing to leave–was odd. She warned that if we had a mask, we should wear it, “because of the bugs”. Undeterred, we walked onto the boardwalk and…were immediately engulfed by midges! Millions of midges were swarming among the bushes, trees, and grasses. Odder still was the were millions of dead midges littering the boardwalk, the bushes, and the earthen ground.
As we walked, the midges swarmed us also–they do not bite so it was more of an annoyance that they were in our faces, getting stuck in my curls, and clinging to our clothes. We did end up walking the entire boardwalk, practically jogging, stopping only to observe one White Eyed Vireo who happened to be out in the open. We heard Catbirds and Yellow Warblers, but did not stop long enough to look for them. It was wild! It was Midge Madness at Magee Marsh!
