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Lake Erie: Birding, Waves, Wine and Put-In-Bay

Program Number: 12641RJ
Start and End Dates:
4/28/2013 - 5/3/2013;
Duration: 5 nights
Location: Put-In-Bay, Ohio
Price starting at: $845.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city
Program Type: Birding; Multi-Topic Activity Level: t (see description)
Meals: 15; 5 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches, 5 Dinners    
Meal Options: Vegetarian    

Activity Particulars

Slow walking over uneven terrain; standing for small increments.



A U.S. passport is required to enter Canada.




Date Specific Information

4-28-2013

Enjoy the latest in hearing technology — listening devices — on this date.



Coordinated by Lake Erie Islands Nature and Wildlife Center.



Birding in the Lake Erie Corridor

Over 450 bird species pass through Lake Erie Islands during spring migration. We will take a special trip via ferry to Point Pelee National Park in Ontario, Canada to see this return. Walks, lectures and banding with bird authorities is included. A U.S. passport is required to enter Canada.



The Past and Present of The Lake Erie Islands

Visits to Magee Marsh-Crane Creek Wildlife Refuge, Ohio State University Stone Lab and Perry's Victory and Peace Memorial are included along with Island history. Because of the unique island environment, golf carts are legal on the island roads and are available for transportation. South Bass Island is three miles in length, so the distance for daily field trips is minimal.




Put-In-Bay

Put-in-Bay is a tiny village on South Bass Island, 90 miles west of Cleveland. The village played a big role in the war of 1812 as the location from which Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry sailed to engage and defeat the British. A national memorial marks that history. The island is also a popular summer resort and recreational destination.
Accommodations
Participants will stay in one of four charming Put-in-Bay Bed and Breakfasts. All B&Bs feature private baths and Continental breakfast. Participants will not be assigned rooms until 4 weeks prior to the start date. Please contact Road Scholar program provider with questions.
Meals and Lodgings
   Ahoy Bed & Breakfast or Arbor Inn Bed & Breakfast or Ashley's Island House Bed & Breakfast or English Pines Bed & Breakfast
  Put-in-Bay, Ohio 5 nights
 Ahoy Bed & Breakfast
Type: Bed and Breakfast
  Contact info: 361 Doller Avenue
Put-in-Bay, OH 43456 USA
phone: 419-285-2469
web: www.ahoypib.com
  Facility amenities: All rooms equipped with king bed, private bath, satellite tv/vcr, wireless internet access, air conditioning and hair dryer. The owners are on site 24 hours a day, and all have ample free parking. Housing arrangments will not be made until four weeks prior to the start date. If you have questions regarding one of the bed and breakfast, please do not contact the B&B directly. Contact the Road Scholar program provider directly.
  Smoking allowed: No
  Bathroom: Private bath in each room.

 Arbor Inn Bed & Breakfast
Type: Bed and Breakfast
  Description: Cape Cod style 4 bedroom B&B nestled on a quiet secluded 3 acre wooded lot overlooking vineyards. Each room has a king bed, private bath, satellite TV/VCR, wireless internet acess and hair dryer. Deluxe continental breakfast and complimentary bicycles.
  Contact info: 511 Trenton Avenue
Put-in-Bay, OH 43456 USA
phone: 419-285-2306
web: www.arborinnpib.com
  Room amenities: King size beds, private bath, television, air-conditioning and hair dryer
  Facility amenities: All bed and breakfast feature private baths and Continental breakfast. The owners are on site 24 hours a day, and all have ample parking. Housing arrangments will not be made until four weeks prior to the start date. If you have questions regarding one of the bed and breakfast, please do not contact the B&B directly. Contact the Road Scholar program provider directly.
  Smoking allowed: No

 Ashley's Island House Bed & Breakfast
Type: Bed and Breakfast
  Description: Downtown historic Victorian home, the island's oldest and largest B&B. Central AC, wireless internet, deluxe continental breakfast, large front porch.
  Contact info: 557 Catawba Ave.
Put in Bay, OH 43456 USA
phone: 419-285-2844
web: www.ashleysislandhouse.com
  Room amenities: All room with private bath
  Facility amenities: The owners are on site 24 hours a day, and all have ample parking. Housing arrangments will not be made until four weeks prior to the start date. If you have questions regarding one of the bed and breakfast, please do not contact the B&B directly. Contact the Road Scholar program provider directly.
  Smoking allowed: No

 English Pines Bed & Breakfast
Type: Bed and Breakfast
  Description: A circa mid 1800’s original settlers’ home, English Pines Bed and Breakfast is a lovely twelve-room bed and breakfast nestled on two quiet acres in the downtown district. English Pines Bed and Breakfast is just steps away from the new Put-in-Bay Conference Center and a short walk to the Winery, caves, restaurants and shops
  Contact info: 182 Concord Avenue
Put in Bay, OH 43456 USA
phone: 419-285-2521
web: www.englishpines.com/
  Room amenities: Rooms feature air-conditioning and cable television. Refrigerators and hair dryers available in many rooms. Wireless Internet access. Picnic area with tables and grill.
  Facility amenities: Rooms feature air-conditioning and cable television. Refrigerators and hair dryers available in many rooms. Wireless Internet access. Picnic area with tables and grill. The owners are on site 24 hours a day, and all have ample parking. Housing arrangments will not be made until four weeks prior to the start date. If you have questions regarding one of the bed and breakfast, please do not contact the B&B directly. Contact the Road Scholar program provider directly.
  Smoking allowed: No


Travel Details
  Start of Program:
5 PM at Local Restaurant, Put-in-Bay, Ohio. You will be staying at Ahoy Bed & Breakfast or Arbor Inn Bed & Breakfast or Ashley's Island House Bed & Breakfast or English Pines Bed & Breakfast that night.
  End of Program:
12:30 PM at Magee Marsh, Oak Harbor, Ohio. You will be staying at Ahoy Bed & Breakfast or Arbor Inn Bed & Breakfast or Ashley's Island House Bed & Breakfast or English Pines Bed & Breakfast the night before.
  Required documents:
The Road Scholar Health & Safety Form is required. Driver's License & valid American Passport
  Parking availability:
Parking at B&Bs and all sites.
Transportation
To Start of Program
  Location:  Put-in-Bay, Ohio
  Nearest city or town:  Port Clinton, Ohio
  Nearest highway: State Rt. 53
  Nearest airport:  Toledo or Cleveland, Ohio
  From End of Program
  Location: Put-in-Bay, Ohio
    (Additional transportation information same as above)
Travel Details
 

Miller Ferry at Catawba Point

 

From Ferry Landing

 
 

Service:

 

Taxi

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

Ferry costs: $7.00 per person ($15 car each way) Taxi cost: $3 per person
Prices are subject to change.
 

Distance:

 

2 miles from ferry to B&B locations
   

Ferry service info is found at www.millerferry.com and runs from Catawba Point, Route 53, to South Bass Island. The trip takes about 20 minutes and there is plenty of free parking on the mainland if a participant wishes to leave their car on the mainland. There is also plenty of free parking on the island. There is a taxi service from the dock to the B&B for $3 per person if the participant leaves their car on the mainland. Most of our Road Scholars that fly in, rent a car and drive themselves.
 

Cleveland Hopkins Airport

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

None - Car Required
Advanced Reservations Required

 

Travel Time:

 

approximately 1 hr and 45 mins. from Cleveland Hopkins airport 
 

Distance:

 

80 miles
 

Toledo Express Airport

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

None - Car Required
Advanced Reservations Required

 

Travel Time:

 

Approximately 1 hour 15 minutes 
 

Distance:

 

71 miles from Toledo Express airport to Put-in-Bay, Ohio
 

Detroit Metro Airport

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

None - Car Required
Advanced Reservations Required

 

Travel Time:

 

approximately 2 hours 15 minutes from Detroit Metro airport 
 

Distance:

 

107 miles
 
Driving Directions
  East Take the Ohio Turnpike to Exit 110, Rt.4. Go North to Rt. 2 West, about 5 miles. Take Rt.53 North exit and follow Rt.53 North until it ends at Catawba Island Point. This is location of Miller Boat Line Ferry Dock.
  West Take the Ohio Turnpike to Exit 91 Fremont. Go North on Rt.53. Stay with Rt.53 until it ends at Catawba Island Point where the Miller Boat Line Ferry Dock is located.
Equipment Requirements: Rainwear, binoculars
The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


Daily Schedule

Day 1: Check-in/Orientation
(Sunday, April 28)
   
 Afternoon: Check-in at hotel
 Dinner: Dinner at waterfront restaurant
 Evening: Orientation class
   
Accommodations: Ahoy Bed & Breakfast or Arbor Inn Bed & Breakfast or Ashley's Island House Bed & Breakfast or English Pines Bed & Breakfast
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2: Bird walk field trip/History Museum/Local Lighthouse
(Monday, April 29)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast included.
 Morning: Bird walk field trip with experienced leaders all morning. Group divided into three smaller groups of ten.
 Lunch: Noon lunch at waterfront restaurant.
 Afternoon: 1 PM tour of History Museum then afternoon field trip Tour of Island via open-air transportation. Local Lighthouse and Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial included.
 Dinner: Dinner 6 PM at waterfront restaurant.
 Evening: 7:15 PM Bird checklist and lecture at historic island Town Hall.
   
Accommodations: Ahoy Bed & Breakfast or Arbor Inn Bed & Breakfast or Ashley's Island House Bed & Breakfast or English Pines Bed & Breakfast
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Bird walk/Gibraltar Island/Stone Laboratory
(Tuesday, April 30)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast included.
 Morning: 7:30 bird walk same as Monday.
 Lunch: Noon lunch at waterfront reataurant.
 Afternoon: 1 PM boat transportation from Put-in-Bay to Gibraltar Island, home of the Ohio State University's Stone Laboratory, the oldest freshwater lab in the US. Also historic home of Jay Cooke, financier of the Civil War. Field trip tour of island and buildings, bird walk and lecture with OSU staff. Boat transport back to Put-in-Bay.
 Dinner: 6 PM dinner at waterfront restaurant.
 Evening: 7:15 PM Bird checklist update and lecture at historic Town Hall.
   
Accommodations: Ahoy Bed & Breakfast or Arbor Inn Bed & Breakfast or Ashley's Island House Bed & Breakfast or English Pines Bed & Breakfast
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Bird banding/Nature Museum/Historic Island Winery and Caves
(Wednesday, May 1)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast included.
 Morning: 7:30 AM bird banding field trip all morning.
 Lunch: Noon: Lunch at waterfront restaurant.
 Afternoon: 1 PM Lecture at Town Hall then afternoon field trip to Nature Museum, historic island Winery and Caves.
 Dinner: 6 PM dinner at waterfront restaurant.
 Evening: 7:15 PM Bird checklist update and lecture at Town Hall.
   
Accommodations: Ahoy Bed & Breakfast or Arbor Inn Bed & Breakfast or Ashley's Island House Bed & Breakfast or English Pines Bed & Breakfast
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Ferry to Point Pelee, Ontario
(Thursday, May 2)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast included.
 Morning: 7:30 Ferry trip to Point Pelee, Ontario, Canada for birding (weather dependent) with three experienced guides.
 Lunch: Lunch at local restaurant
 Afternoon: Field Trip at Point Pelee, Ontario, Canada continued
 Dinner: 6 PM dinner at waterfront restaurant.
 Evening: Free evening.
   
Accommodations: Ahoy Bed & Breakfast or Arbor Inn Bed & Breakfast or Ashley's Island House Bed & Breakfast or English Pines Bed & Breakfast
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Magee Marsh/Departure
(Friday, May 3)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast included.
 Morning: Leave island between 8 AM and 9 AM and arrive Magee Marsh for 10 AM field trip with bird walk
 Lunch: Box lunch
   
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Important information about your itinerary: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information featured on this website. Itineraries are based on our best information at this time. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Information will be sent to you from your Program Provider approximately three weeks prior to the program start date. The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.

Suggested Reading List


Binocular Info.


Author: Tom Bartlett


Description: www.opticsplanet.net/how-to-buy-bincoluars.html This will give you background on binocular terminology. First, what magnification do you want? My recommendation is a binocular with 7x or 8x magnification. Anything less you will have trouble seeing details. Anything more and you will have trouble focusing, finding the bird, and images will be dark because it draws less light into the binocular. Second, you need to factor in eye relief. The best is 18-20mm and you usually only get that with 7x or 8x binocular. If you wear glasses, 18-20mm is a must. Third, is the size of the objective lens. My recommendation is one that is 35-42mm. Anything smaller and you have too big a field of view and anything larger gives you too small a field of view. In either case, it makes finding the bird with the binocular tougher. Also, binoculars with larger objective lenses tend to be heavier and more uncomfortable to handle. To me, the ideal binocular is one that is 7x40 or 8x40. Now the cost. The price of a binocular is very important. It determines what you are paying for. The most important part of the binocular is the lenses. The better the lenses, the better the binocular, and the better your experience will be. Quality lenses are those that are grounded completely clear. Cheaper lenses are only grounded in the middle area of the lens and the outer edges aren't as clear. The problems comes because your eyes attempt to adjust to both the middle and the edge. The image is fuzzy and after a day of birding, you have a headache because your eyes are constantly trying to focus both areas. It is my experience you can't buy a quality binocular for under $200 and there are very few in that range. You begin to find a quality binocular for $300 and up. You should be looking at brand names like Bushnell, Nikon, Canon, Vortex, Leica, Pentex, Swarovski (one of the Cadillac of binoculars) and several others. Bushnell, Nikon, and Vortex tend to offer a quality binocular for $300.



Corresponding Websites


Author: Susan Byrnes


Description: Lake Erie Islands Nature & Wildlife Center www.lakeerieislandswildlife.com Lake Erie Islands Chapter of the Black Swamp Conservancy www.lakeerieislandsbsc.com Put-in-Bay Chamber www.visitputinbay.com Perry's Victory & International Peace Memorial www.nps.gov/pevi The Lake Erie Islands Historical Society Museum www.leihs.org The Ohio State University Stone Laboratory ohioseagrant.osu.edu/stonelab Point Pelee National Park of Canada www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/on/pelee/visit/index e.asp Magee Marsh www.dnr.state.oh.us/parks/tabid/724/Default.aspx The Crew's Nest Club Restaurant www.thecrewsnest.com Miller Boat Line Ferry www.millerferry.com United States Passport Rules travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc 2223 html Ohio Birding www.ohiobirds.org Black Swamp Bird Observatory www.bsbobird.com Back to the Wild www.backtothewild.com




What’s included in this Road Scholar program?



Except for the occasional meal on some programs, Road Scholar programs are all-inclusive. That means there are no extra “options,” no passing the hat for tips and no surprises. From lectures and field trips to gratuities and accommodations – the price you pay up front is the price you pay.

Specifically, this program includes:


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