Ohio
Lake Erie: Birding the Islands and Shores
Program No. 12641RJ
There’s no place like the Lake Erie Islands when it comes to bird migrations: beautiful trees, blue skies and myriad birds passing through. Bring your binoculars, this is a good one!
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Participant Reviews
Based on 29 Reviews
SHOWING
This trip was both educational and a lot of fun. I really enjoyed visiting the other islands - Kellys, Gibraltor and Middle Bass. Tom Bartlett's bird banding was fabulous! Accommodations at the Ashley Island House were very nice. All the guides/instructors were so knowledgeable and interesting to chat with.
— Review left October 9, 2024
We had a great time! The presenters were very knowledgable and also kind and hospitable. The years that this program has been offered have honed it to a well-oiled experience, as much as is possible when dealing with bird migration and weather.
— Review left September 24, 2024
I thought the Lake Erie Birding trip was spectacular. I saw so many warblers it was crazy - and the guides were so helpful with getting me on the birds and identifying them. I actually thought the banding station time was too much at first, but then after spending some time there, I almost wished there were more! Seeing the screech owl up close was a real highlight and then finding it that night was icing on the cake! I liked the ferry boats and the tours of the winery and cave - they were just the right amount of time away from birding. I really appreciated the flexibility of the organizers in letting me skip out on a couple of things. I was a little worried about the accommodations when my room was too hot the first night, but I spoke with the owner of the B&B and he took care of it immediately. Someone had moved the thermostat up! The only criticism I have is that the food was not that great. It was not bad, but it was certainly not the highlight of the day for me.
— Review left September 15, 2024
Wonderful birding trip- saw a remarkable number of warblers; so nice to have guides to the best birding places on public and private land on the islands and the legendary Magee Marsh. The bird trip leaders for this trip are very good at finding birds and helping everyone see the birds and are very knowledgeable. Excellent bird topic lectures and bird banding demo. I also enjoyed the non-bird topics/tours and learning the history of the islands and the ecology. Pleasant lodgings, nice dinner place; beautiful island.
— Review left May 28, 2024
The instructors in this program are outstanding and I rate this program as one of the best of the 25 I've taken so far.
— Review left May 11, 2024
I highly recommend this birding experience in the beautiful Lake Erie Islands. Lisa, Courtney, and Tammy, ornithology experts, are incredibly knowledgeable about birds, bird songs, local habitats, and migration. They are also friendly and approachable, encouraging all questions. Tom Barlett and his banding team are amazing; spending one morning with them was insightful and inspiring. It took my breath away when Tom placed a tiny, banded ruby-throated hummingbird in the palm of my hand for me to release it back into the wild.
Emily and Hayley were organized and effective as site coordinators. One suggestion is to include an orientation to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's suite of apps the first evening. Also, I'd recommend scheduling one more 1/2 afternoon of free time. This was a lovely week in nature!
— Review left May 7, 2024
If you are already a birder, or just learning, this is the trip. Great birding leaders help you spot and ID many birds, and I'm sure we had over 100 species ID'd by the end. The leaders have a passion for this, the accommodations are comfortable, food ok, and activities varied and interesting. It's nice being with others who are sharing this interest, and caring for the environment.
— Review left May 3, 2024
This was our first experience with Road Scholars.
We had a wonderful experience.
Appreciated that the price was inclusive of all expenses.
I highly recommend the Road Scholar program.
— Review left September 18, 2023
We have already and will continue to highly recommend Road Scholar!
— Review left June 3, 2023
Best time of the year to be birding on the islands and shores of Lake Erie. Road Scholar knows how to organize such a trip. They did a great job!
— Review left May 20, 2023
I had no idea what to expect, but this trip turned out to be one of my favorites. The leaders and instructors were fun, kind, and accommodating to the needs of the individuals in the group, providing side activities on the fly just for fun. For birders, the banding process was quite the education, and I highly recommend this trip! Great fun.
— Review left April 22, 2023
This was a wonderful trip. Great leaders and great fellow travelers. The island is beautiful this time of year. The migratory birds were plentiful and the banding was not just educational but fun
— Review left November 2, 2022
This program attracts both novice bird watcher wanne-bes and experienced bird watchers and photographers. The experiences provided high value and interest to all. Excellent specialist-leaders offered information, inspiration, and local color. We learned a lot about the role of various forms of biological research, too. Highly recommended.
— Review left September 18, 2022
This program was a great learning experience and not limited to avid birders although there were many participating for this fall educational adventure. Some people had seen most of the birds and only 1 or 2 first time life bird. I must have added 55 life birds. Beautiful environment and diversity from private backyards to local and state preserves. Great sense of community and pride for Put-in-Bay leaders and residents. Concise directions for using the ferry and navigating the area.
— Review left September 17, 2022
Fantastic staff and program! Went beyond my expectations!
— Review left July 21, 2022
I know you need feedback both positive and negative and your questions allowed for both. The questionnaire covered everything but was not overly long. I had a fabulous experience. My best birding experience ever.
— Review left May 28, 2022
Great program for birders interested in warblers. The banding program is excellent as well as the lectures included. The guides were enthusiastic and helpful and the director was very organized.
— Review left May 28, 2022
The birds are unbelievable.
— Review left May 26, 2022
I loved this program. The leaders, activities & other participants were lots of fun. I was really inspired by what I saw & I learned so much. This was my 1st Road Scholar trip & I am already planning another one!
— Review left May 23, 2022
A great program to learn about and see lots of birds!
— Review left May 14, 2022
To all birders, do not miss a visit to Magee Marsh. I visited the marsh before the program.
— Review left May 7, 2022
The Lake Erie Birding the Islands and Shores is a terrific learning experience. The island setting, knowledge and professionalism of the extremely personable coordinator and leaders combined with the local charm, culture and history of this unique ecosystem and setting will captivate your imagination.
— Review left October 10, 2021
when we do a road scholar event, we do not always pick subjects that are at the highest level of interest making them sometimes a question as to if we will enjoy and learn from them-- but I must say, we have NEVER been disappointed.
— Review left September 28, 2021
Absolutely recommend this experience and the instructors. I learned so much, and enjoyed the dining together each night - the chef went out of his way to accomodate my preferences. We saw 103 birds on this trip.
— Review left September 22, 2021
Superb program, comfortable accommodation and excellent meals. Undoubtedly the most enjoyable morning of birding I have had on a Road Scholar program was to witness bird banding and the great opportunity to experience the magnificent warblers, vireos, kinglets and other species up close.
— Review left June 21, 2019
Despite some wet days, which we were prepared for, the birds did not disappoint. The group leaders were so unabashedly excited about their expertise that I could not help to get excited, too. There were opportunities to go back to sites on our own to expand our birding time. As on of the other participants said, I am an adult onset birder, and I found others to be encouraging and sharing of their experience.
— Review left May 22, 2019
The instructors, programs, and participants are consistently interesting and fun.
— Review left May 12, 2019
Another perfect birding experience by Road Scholar. From birding South Bass Island, Point Pelee National Park, and Magee Marsh with some of the best bird guides imaginable, this is a not to be missed trip during warbler migration season.
— Review left May 12, 2019
We loved this trip. We saw many birds. The leaders were very knowledgeable and helpful. The accommodations were charming and the food was excellent,
— Review left May 11, 2019