Magee Marsh, Oak Harbor, Ohio - Biggest Week in Birding festival every year - springtime migration - many warblers, very close to photograph. Carrington, North Dakota - used to have Potholes & Prairies Birding Festival in June.
at 4:45 you ask us to give you 3 more places .... 1: Sax-Zim Bog in Minnesota for boreal bird species in the winter 2: wading bird rookery at the Ocean City, NJ Welcome Center for herons, egrets, and ibis in the late spring 3: Fort Pierre National Grasslands in SD for breeding Prairie Chickens and Sharp-tailed Grouse in the spring
Ive been to several of your choice spots...I would add Big Bend NP in Texas you can see Elf Owl, Colima Warbler, Gray Hawk, Harris Hawk, and more with proper planning, And the World Birding Centers of the Lower Rio Grand Valley of TX. Lots of good photo opts.
I'd add the NWR locations on the Delmarva peninsula as well: Bombay Hook NWR, Prime Hook NWR, Blackwater NWR, Chincoteague NWR. All exceptional spots to see lots of birds in all 4 seasons
Thanks for the recommendations. We have been to Bosque del Apache for eh cranes and plan on going again next year. Places I would add Ding Darling NWR on Sanibel Island, Merritt Island NWR both in FL. Two additional and rather odd places, Viera Wetlands in Melbourne FL and Orlando Wetlands. Both are part of sewage plants where the ponds have been turned into bird habitats. We have seen Sandhill Cranes, Ibis, Hawks, Herons, Spoonbills and Egrets in large numbers and, of course, alligators.
Just got back from Bosque Del Apache - not as many cranes but lots of snow geese. Might go again this weekend (We live just a couple hours north). Also saw javelina, mule deer, coyote and even saw a dessert shrew scampering across the road.
Thank you for the this wonderful compilation. I've been blessed and have been to San Diego area numerous times. I live near the Ft. Worth area and have made the trek to Galveston for the spring migration for years. Both of those places are incredible.. I've been contemplating Bosque, but when I saw the photos of fellow photographers that went January 2022, I was quite impressed and plan to head there in Jan 2023. I was going to go to Galveston this spring, but have decided to head to St. Petersburg to check out Fort Desoto.
Central Park, NYC for spring and fall migration. The “birdering” (watching birdwatchers) is at least as good as the birding, and it’s just so refreshing to know that so many migrants have this green gem of a park where they can rest and feed along their migration route.
Tim, thanks for sharing locations of your favorite bird photography places. I have three wonderful Texas spots we visited in May and early June of 2018. 1) Anahuac NWR in Chambers, Texas - one of the best anywhere especially when there chicks that need feeding. 2) Same point about Houston Audubon Society Smith Oaks Bird Sanctuary in High Island, Texas. It is driving distance from Anahuac, but hard to find without specific instructions. Make sure to get that from a local at Anahuac. 3) Brazos Bend State Park in Needville, Texas - a truly beautiful place with many bird species.
Kealia Pond National Wildlife Refuge in Maui and Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve in Huntington Beach, Calif. Both have boardwalks from which you can easily spot many different types of birds.
There are many more great birding locations in the US. The premier warbler site is in north west Ohio at McGee Marsh especially. Harlingen Nature Center in South Texas is also a great place to see unique birds like the green jay.
Hi - Tim - having been out with you in the Skagit Valley/Delta and living in Seattle that is one of the great areas in the US. I'd say all of yours are great and they each have areas nearby that if you can't get to the exact one you named can also be great birding areas (though I don't consider myself a birder - just a photographer who likes birds as a subject) - San Diego County alternative - Orange County in the Laguna Beach/Huntington Beach area; Nome alternative - Anchorage area along Turnagin Arm; Malheur area - Klamath Lake area; Tucson area - Phoenix area; SW Florida - the Cape Canaveral/Sanford area; Galveston - Corpus Christi/Brownsville; Bosque - areas right in Albuquerque along the Rio Grande (i was once stuck not being able to get to Bosque because of snowstorms and there are great parks right in town with cranes). I really want to try the raptor migration routes along the North Shore of Lake Superior and in the mountains of Pennsylvania - and then maybe I would add them.
I see someone else has mentioned Horicon NWR, so I will list Cape May New Jersey for shorebird migration, Platt River Nebraska for 600,000 Sandhill Cranes in March, and Hawk Ridge in Duluth MN for raptor migration in fall.
Mohegan Island, Maine ( over 300 species have been reported there) and River Parker National Wild Refuge on Plum Island, Massachusetts ( great place to seeing piper plovers, short-eared owls and snowy owls)
Unless I am looking to photograph a limited/exotic species only known to a specific location or a coastal region, living in South Dakota in the upper Midwest has proven quite fruitful for bird photography & this years migration of small & large species was no exception, in fact, we have seen an increase in migratory birds in eastern SD, many which I had never seen before this year. From early April to now, I have recorded 76 different species in just my small local area of SD that I live in, from the smallest migrating wrens to the larger migrating waterfowl. And do not forget the raptors, SD is known for its wide variety of raptors, both lrg & small, including the burrowing owl. And about that sandhill crane migration, I only have to drive a couple of hours to witness that beauty!
@@GodwitMediaLLC With the Missouri River traversing the state from north to south, west river being considered high desert/mountain country and the eastern half of the state with its vast amount of public & private wetlands/nature preserves, both small & large, it stymies my mind how so many professional bird photographers over look the "flyover" states of our nation. We're not just known as airplane flyover country, catching & recording the annual bird migrations is a huge part of a South Dakota wildlife/bird photographers life as that migration period runs from March/April through November and then from late Dec through Feb we are scouting activity at the vast raptor nest sites so to be able to record the next years mating, hatchings & fledgings, one of which is an established Bald Eagles nest just 4 miles north of me where this years eaglets have just recently fledged and another just across the road from our place that was used by a Great Horned Owl pair this year who successfully raised 2 owlets.
@@GodwitMediaLLC it's between Valley City and Jamestown about halfway between Fargo and Bismarck. There is a waterfowl production area there, and I've seen some amazing Birds. Got pictures of Greaves rushing and also white-faced ibis and eared grebes. Also in the Flyway at 4 snow geese and swans.
When you come to Texas make it in mid April with the timing of a cold front and North wind that will bring the migrant birds down. You need to go to Sabine Woods for the warblers. Located 7 miles out of Sabine Pass I have found it better than High Island for warblers. You have to hit it just right for all the birds. There are 3 drips that attracts the birds. Sabine Woods is operated by the Golden Triangle Audubon Society and owned by TOS. Send me an email and I will take you there, to High Island , Bolivar Pennisula, Cattail Marsh in Beaumont and ANWR. Good luck
Have you ever heard of a placed called Magee Marsh on the Lake Erie shoreline, east of Toledo? Go in May for migrants, and they call it the Warbler Capital of the world.
Thank you for the valuable information, would love if you can do a video specifically for California as well (would make things easy for me), I was surprised when you picked "La Jolla" when "Orange county" is far more vibrant (in my personal opinion only), maybe am missing something and will take "La jolla" more seriously, Thanks
Magee Marsh, Oak Harbor, Ohio - Biggest Week in Birding festival every year - springtime migration - many warblers, very close to photograph.
Carrington, North Dakota - used to have Potholes & Prairies Birding Festival in June.
at 4:45 you ask us to give you 3 more places ....
1: Sax-Zim Bog in Minnesota for boreal bird species in the winter
2: wading bird rookery at the Ocean City, NJ Welcome Center for herons, egrets, and ibis in the late spring
3: Fort Pierre National Grasslands in SD for breeding Prairie Chickens and Sharp-tailed Grouse in the spring
I haven't been to any of those places, so thank you for commenting.
Ive been to several of your choice spots...I would add Big Bend NP in Texas you can see Elf Owl, Colima Warbler, Gray Hawk, Harris Hawk, and more with proper planning, And the World Birding Centers of the Lower Rio Grand Valley of TX. Lots of good photo opts.
Merritt Island, FL, Orlando Wetlands, FL, Harris Neck Wildlife Refuge, GA, Jekyll Island, GA
I'd add the NWR locations on the Delmarva peninsula as well: Bombay Hook NWR, Prime Hook NWR, Blackwater NWR, Chincoteague NWR. All exceptional spots to see lots of birds in all 4 seasons
Thanks for the recommendations. We have been to Bosque del Apache for eh cranes and plan on going again next year. Places I would add Ding Darling NWR on Sanibel Island, Merritt Island NWR both in FL. Two additional and rather odd places, Viera Wetlands in Melbourne FL and Orlando Wetlands. Both are part of sewage plants where the ponds have been turned into bird habitats. We have seen Sandhill Cranes, Ibis, Hawks, Herons, Spoonbills and Egrets in large numbers and, of course, alligators.
Thanks those are some of the places I haven't been yet, but they're on my list to visit
Ft. DeSoto during migration is awesome. Parakeets, Glossy Ibis, Bald Eagles, and so much more in West Central Florida
Just got back from Bosque Del Apache - not as many cranes but lots of snow geese. Might go again this weekend (We live just a couple hours north). Also saw javelina, mule deer, coyote and even saw a dessert shrew scampering across the road.
Thank you for the this wonderful compilation. I've been blessed and have been to San Diego area numerous times. I live near the Ft. Worth area and have made the trek to Galveston for the spring migration for years. Both of those places are incredible.. I've been contemplating Bosque, but when I saw the photos of fellow photographers that went January 2022, I was quite impressed and plan to head there in Jan 2023. I was going to go to Galveston this spring, but have decided to head to St. Petersburg to check out Fort Desoto.
We stop at the one in NM every time we come through there, also love the bird refugees along the Rio Grande River.
Lower Klamath NWR & Tule Lake NWR on the OR/CA border. How would you say they stack up against Malheur NWR?
Central Park, NYC for spring and fall migration. The “birdering” (watching birdwatchers) is at least as good as the birding, and it’s just so refreshing to know that so many migrants have this green gem of a park where they can rest and feed along their migration route.
Tim, thanks for sharing locations of your favorite bird photography places. I have three wonderful Texas spots we visited in May and early June of 2018. 1) Anahuac NWR in Chambers, Texas - one of the best anywhere especially when there chicks that need feeding. 2) Same point about Houston Audubon Society Smith Oaks Bird Sanctuary in High Island, Texas. It is driving distance from Anahuac, but hard to find without specific instructions. Make sure to get that from a local at Anahuac. 3) Brazos Bend State Park in Needville, Texas - a truly beautiful place with many bird species.
Sax-Zim Bog in northern Minnesota in winter
Yes I need to go there!
@@GodwitMediaLLC Yes you do! Let me know when you go!
I heard and seen nothing but cool birds there. Planning to visit it this winter
I like St. Marks Wildlife Refuge just South of Tallahassee .
N Myrtle Beach, South Carolina is great to see and photograph birds.
Kealia Pond National Wildlife Refuge in Maui and Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve in Huntington Beach, Calif. Both have boardwalks from which you can easily spot many different types of birds.
Cape May, NJ!
Here here
There's a famos light tower on the island of Kauai at Kīlauea Point National Wildlife Refugethis is a must see tons of birds.
There are many more great birding locations in the US. The premier warbler site is in north west Ohio at McGee Marsh especially. Harlingen Nature Center in South Texas is also a great place to see unique birds like the green jay.
Hi - Tim - having been out with you in the Skagit Valley/Delta and living in Seattle that is one of the great areas in the US. I'd say all of yours are great and they each have areas nearby that if you can't get to the exact one you named can also be great birding areas (though I don't consider myself a birder - just a photographer who likes birds as a subject) - San Diego County alternative - Orange County in the Laguna Beach/Huntington Beach area; Nome alternative - Anchorage area along Turnagin Arm; Malheur area - Klamath Lake area; Tucson area - Phoenix area; SW Florida - the Cape Canaveral/Sanford area; Galveston - Corpus Christi/Brownsville; Bosque - areas right in Albuquerque along the Rio Grande (i was once stuck not being able to get to Bosque because of snowstorms and there are great parks right in town with cranes). I really want to try the raptor migration routes along the North Shore of Lake Superior and in the mountains of Pennsylvania - and then maybe I would add them.
Loess Bluffs National wildlife refuge in Northeast Missouri. Snow geese abound along with hundreds of bald eagles, otters, coyotes. Great winter spot.
In Oklahoma, my favorites are Salt Plains NWR (for Whoopers particularly), Wichita Mountains NWR, and Tallgrass Prairie Preserve.
Morro Bay, CA. December- February.
I see someone else has mentioned Horicon NWR, so I will list Cape May New Jersey for shorebird migration, Platt River Nebraska for 600,000 Sandhill Cranes in March, and Hawk Ridge in Duluth MN for raptor migration in fall.
If you would like to take photos of bald eagles add Squamish to your list. During the wintering its amazing.
Mohegan Island, Maine ( over 300 species have been reported there) and River Parker National Wild Refuge on Plum Island, Massachusetts
( great place to seeing piper plovers, short-eared owls and snowy owls)
Thanks Chris, I love shorebirds, so I should figure out how to get there in the next couple of years.
Unless I am looking to photograph a limited/exotic species only known to a specific location or a coastal region, living in South Dakota in the upper Midwest has proven quite fruitful for bird photography & this years migration of small & large species was no exception, in fact, we have seen an increase in migratory birds in eastern SD, many which I had never seen before this year. From early April to now, I have recorded 76 different species in just my small local area of SD that I live in, from the smallest migrating wrens to the larger migrating waterfowl. And do not forget the raptors, SD is known for its wide variety of raptors, both lrg & small, including the burrowing owl. And about that sandhill crane migration, I only have to drive a couple of hours to witness that beauty!
Thanks for commenting, I confess I haven't done any bird photography or birding in South Dakota, so I'll have to get there.
@@GodwitMediaLLC With the Missouri River traversing the state from north to south, west river being considered high desert/mountain country and the eastern half of the state with its vast amount of public & private wetlands/nature preserves, both small & large, it stymies my mind how so many professional bird photographers over look the "flyover" states of our nation. We're not just known as airplane flyover country, catching & recording the annual bird migrations is a huge part of a South Dakota wildlife/bird photographers life as that migration period runs from March/April through November and then from late Dec through Feb we are scouting activity at the vast raptor nest sites so to be able to record the next years mating, hatchings & fledgings, one of which is an established Bald Eagles nest just 4 miles north of me where this years eaglets have just recently fledged and another just across the road from our place that was used by a Great Horned Owl pair this year who successfully raised 2 owlets.
I can give out two more. The Chesapeake Bay Area and the Outer Banks of NC.
I've always wanted to get to the outer banks, hopefully I can in the near future! Thanks
Nickerson Beach NY
Sanborn North Dakota. Western Minnesota.
I haven't heard of Sanborn, I'll check it out.
@@GodwitMediaLLC it's between Valley City and Jamestown about halfway between Fargo and Bismarck. There is a waterfowl production area there, and I've seen some amazing Birds. Got pictures of Greaves rushing and also white-faced ibis and eared grebes. Also in the Flyway at 4 snow geese and swans.
When you come to Texas make it in mid April with the timing of a cold front and North wind that will bring the migrant birds down. You need to go to Sabine Woods for the warblers. Located 7 miles out of Sabine Pass I have found it better than High Island for warblers. You have to hit it just right for all the birds. There are 3 drips that attracts the birds. Sabine Woods is operated by the Golden Triangle Audubon Society and owned by TOS. Send me an email and I will take you there, to High Island , Bolivar Pennisula, Cattail Marsh in Beaumont and ANWR. Good luck
Have you ever heard of a placed called Magee Marsh on the Lake Erie shoreline, east of Toledo? Go in May for migrants, and they call it the Warbler Capital of the world.
Thank you for the valuable information, would love if you can do a video specifically for California as well (would make things easy for me), I was surprised when you picked "La Jolla" when "Orange county" is far more vibrant (in my personal opinion only), maybe am missing something and will take "La jolla" more seriously, Thanks
As well, I provably need to shoot more in Orange County. Thanks!
Or the Salton Sea in eastern San Diego County. Much better than La Jolla..