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A vibrant red scarlet tanager with black wings perches on a branch during bird migration along the Lake Erie shores in Ohio.
Ohio

Lake Erie: Birding the Islands and Shores

Program No. 12641RJ
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Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. Read More.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
6 days
5 nights
What's Included
Included
15 meals ( 5B, 5L, 5D )
5 expert-led lectures
11 expert-led field trips
2 hands-on experiences
An experienced Group Leader
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
Put-in-Bay, Ohio
Lake Erie: Birding the Islands and Shores
Sep 26 - Oct 1, 2027
Program Number 12641
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Activity Note
B&B check-in from 3:00 p.m. Walking short distances to dinner and orientation.
Afternoon:
Program Registration: 5:00 p.m. After you check in and have your room assignment as well as your welcome packet, join us at The Crew’s Nest to register with the program staff, get any updated information, and confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please locate your Group Leader and let them know you have arrived.
Dinner:
At The Crew’s Nest.
Evening:
Orientation: 6:45 p.m. at Put-in-Bay Town Hall. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions.

The program is staffed with a birding leader who will provide educational content, a Group Leader who will deal primarily with logistics, and a series of local birding experts who will help lead field trips and provide evening lectures.

For most of the time, we will use taxi vans to travel to various birding locations and other locations not accessible by walking. On Tuesday, we will travel by ferry to Gibraltar Island.

Breakfasts will be at our B&B. Dinners will be at The Crew’s Nest as well as lunches except Friday when we will have box lunches in the field.

Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/current conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.

Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.
Activity Note
Getting in/out of taxi vans; driving about 2 miles, approximately 1/4 hour riding time. Getting on/off open-air train; driving about 3 miles approximately 1 hour riding time. Walking about 1 mile, approximately 4 hours; uneven terrain.
Breakfast:
At the B&B.
Morning:
We will gather at the Town Hall and divide into three small groups (up to 10 participants each). We’ll then take taxi vans for our first birding field trip around the island, led by expert birders. In addition to public spots, we have permission to explore private property. We’ll return to the Town Hall mid-morning.
Lunch:
At The Crew’s Nest.
Afternoon:
We’ll board an open-air train for an exploration of South Bass Island. We’ll then stop at Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial. We’ll learn from National Park Service Park Rangers about the War of 1812 and how the Battle of Lake Erie proved to be a turning point for the Americans against the British and their allies.

Standing at 352 feet, the world’s largest Doric column commemorates the men who fought in the Battle of Lake Erie, as well as the subsequent peace between the U.S., the UK, and Canada. Before dinner we will update our bird checklist at the Town Hall, and enjoy a presentation by Tom Bartlett on his specialty, bird banding, the act of catching birds and tagging them for study.
Dinner:
At The Crew’s Nest.
Evening:
We’ll take taxi vans to the location of master bander Tom Bartlett's owl banding station to see some owls (and other birds) up close, as discussed in his presentation before dinner.
Activity Note
Getting in/out of taxi vans; driving about 2 miles, approximately 1/4 hour riding time. Getting on/off a boat. Walking about 1 mile, approximately 4 hours in the morning; uneven terrain. Walking short distances on Gibraltar Island.
Breakfast:
At the B&B.
Morning:
We’ll take taxi vans to the banding station to observe Tom Bartlett band songbirds. We’ll head out on another walk to find more birds, with a mid-morning break at the Town Hall.
Lunch:
At The Crew’s Nest.
Afternoon:
Next, we’ll board a boat and cruise for 1/4 hour to Gibraltar Island. This small island is the location of Cooke Castle, the historic summer home of Civil War financier Jay Cooke and later the headquarters of The Ohio State University’s Stone Laboratory, the oldest freshwater lab in the U.S. We’ll have a walking lecture from OSU staff while also looking for birds.

We’ll return on the boat to Put-in-Bay with some time to freshen up and relax before dinner.
Dinner:
At The Crew’s Nest.
Evening:
At the Town Hall, we’ll update our bird checklist, followed by a presentation on bird conservation from local experts.
Activity Note
Getting in/out of taxi vans; driving about 2 miles, approximately 1/4 hour riding time. Walking up to 1 mile, approximately 4 hours; uneven terrain, steep stairs to caves.
Breakfast:
At the B&B.
Morning:
We’ll again take taxi vans to Tom Bartlett's banding station. We will then split into small groups for another walk to find more birds (Optional)
Lunch:
At The Crew’s Nest.
Afternoon:
We’ll then head via taxi vans to the Lake Erie Islands Nature & Wildlife Center, where we’ll explore the facility and learn about their programming. Finally, we’ll visit Heineman’s Winery and Crystal Cave, a location that holds the world’s largest geode: measuring 35 feet at its widest point! Before dinner, we'll head to the Town Hall to update our bird checklist, and listen to a lecture from local bird experts.
Dinner:
At The Crew’s Nest.
Evening:
We’ll take taxi vans to the location of the owl banding station once more to see more owls up-close.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a ferry. Walking 1 to 2 miles throughout the day; even trails.
Breakfast:
At the B&B.
Morning:
We’ll board a 1/4 hour ferry ride to Middle Bass Island. The group will split in two with our expert birders to explore the best birding locations of the island. Taxi van transportation will be used.
Lunch:
At local restaurant.
Afternoon:
We’ll enjoy an optional tour of the Lonz Winery grounds and remaining building. The winery is no longer operational but is a site of historic significance. There will then be independent time to explore Middle Bass Island. At a predetermined time, we’ll ferry back to Put-in-Bay in time for dinner.
Dinner:
At The Crew’s Nest. Share favorite experiences and enjoy camaraderie with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.
Evening:
Before we depart from the restaurant, we’ll do a final update of the bird checklist and discuss closing procedures. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.
Activity Note
B&B check-out 7:00-8:00 a.m. Getting on/off a ferry. Driving own vehicles to Magee Marsh. Walking 1 mile, approximately 3 hours; accessible woodland bird trail.
Breakfast:
B&B buffet.
Morning:
We’ll check out of our B&Bs and say goodbye to Put-in-Bay as we return by ferry to the mainland. Upon reaching shore, we’ll drive independently to Magee Marsh Wildlife Area for a final bird walk.

This 2,200-acre state wildlife area on the shore of Lake Erie is a mainly popular with waterfowl hunters, but in spring and fall migrants draw birders from all over the world for the best opportunity to spot a variety of different warbler and shorebird species.
Lunch:
On the trail, we'll have box lunches. This concludes our program.
Afternoon:
If you are returning home, safe travels! If you are staying on independently in the area, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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