10,000 Birders!

Departing at 10:00 AM, I drove across PA and northern OH to arrive in time for a shower before heading to Mango Mama’s around 7:30 PM for dinner the great performance by 6-7-8-OH (as seen in previous posts). After a late night, getting to bed after 1:00 AM, I rose at 6:30 AM, hit the local Burger King for coffee and headed off to the marsh. I was unprepared for what I was about to witness. The line of cars entering the marsh was unending. The lots were nearly full, but I found a space directly across from the boardwalk trail head, right next to the long line of port-o-potties!

The crowds waiting in line for relief all had binoculars trained on the low trees on the edge of the lot. I grabbed my binocs and joined in. Two Cape May Warblers in bright color appeared in my view. A Black-throated Green zee-zee’d a few feet away. A Yellow Warbler, a bright male, stopped briefly but was quickly replaced by a beautiful Chestnut-sided Warbler singing, “pleased to meet’chya!” A pair of Baltimore Orioles sang just above my head and an immature Bald Eagle soared high above. Then it was my turn in the restroom.

The crowd continued to stream in. I could not resist the marketing opportunity and I set up my banners and brochures in the back of my Jeep. I was there about two hours and spoke with dozens of people about my trips before a game commission officer informed me I needed a permit. He gave me his phone number and said to call him before next year’s event and he would send me the necessary paperwork. I thanked him and packed up my Jeep… slowly… as I kept getting distracted by the birds!

I drove back to the Black Swamp Bird Observatory where I set up in their parking lot, with permission of course, and helped Robert, owner of Time & Optics, sell some binoculars and scopes in between talking with folks about tours. It was a fun and productive day!