Spring Migration at
​Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge

Food Trucks

Lake Erie BBQ
May 7-9, 14-16
11am-4pm

Sweet Nate's Coffee
​May 8-17, 23-24
8am-2pm

Traveling Chef
May 11-14, 18
10am-3pm

Maybe Cheese Born With It
May 7-18, 23-24
11am-4pm

Bagel Buggy
May 10, 17
10am-4pm

Port Clinton Rotary Fish Wagon
May 9-10, 16-17
10am-sellout

Wildlife
​Stop & Shop

May 9-10 & 16-17 from 10am-4pm
Join us for the Wildlife Stop and Shop! Vendors will be located both outside behind the Visitor Center, as well as inside the Visitor Center. Vendors will be offering items from the following categories: Pottery, Crochet, Sewing, Woodworking, Digital Art, Painting, Jewelry, Stickers, Photography, Glass Art and more.

Rookery Nature Store

Stop by both of our locations - inside the Visitor Center and on the front lawn - to shop for Ottawa NWR and warbler themed apparel, field guides, binoculars, and much more! This retail establishment operated by Friends of Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge helps to promote conservation and environmental education throughout the year. The best part? All proceeds support our conservation efforts right here at the refuge. You can also shop online 24/7!

Photography
​ Help Desk

Looking for help with your camera or just interested in learning more about the area? Stop by the Photography Help Desk behind the Visitor Center May 8-17!

Wildlife Drive

Enjoy the refuge from the comfort of your car! The 7 mile route departs from the Visitor Center entrance road and can be completed at one of three exits (Krause Rd, Ottawa-Lucas County Rd, or Veler Rd). Gates open at sunrise and close one hour prior to sunset. The Wildlife Drive is for personal vehicle traffic only (no hiking/biking). The Wildlife Drive is free to access, but you are welcome to make a donation at the donation box on the entrance road. Tour Dates: May 1-25, 30-31.

Tour Schedule

Free registration for tours and hikes is on Eventbrite unless otherwise indicated.
Bus and Van Tours: half day birding and photo excursions
Navarre Marsh: May 8
Darby Marsh: May 9, 13, 17
Cedar Point NWR: May 11-16
Sunrise Photo Tour: May 10
Two Rivers Rookery: May 15


​Tram Tours: 90 minute ride on the open-air tram
Daily, May 8-17, 2026 at 9:30am, 11am, and 1pm


​Shuttle Tours: 60-90 minute tour on the electric shuttle
Daily, May 8-17, 2026 at 10am and 12:30pm.
​Outside of the festival, every Friday-Sunday at 11am and 1pm

​Caravan & Hike: half day birding and photo excursion in personal vehicles
Lakefront: May 11

Pelagic Tour: birding from a 220 passenger catamaran
West Sister Island NWR Sunset Cruise*: May 9 from 6:30-9:00pm. Ticket Information
Guided Hikes
Wander & Watch: Guided Nature Hike with Mia
May 10, 11, 12, 14, 16 at 1:30pm
Join us for a relaxed hike led by Friends of Ottawa NWR intern Mia Pesci, an avid birder and volunteer at Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge. These guided walks focus on birds, wildlife, and the subtle moments in nature that are easy to miss when you’re walking alone. Covers approximately 2 miles over 2 hours. No registration.



​Hike & Bird Chat with Marshall Brown @marshall.travels
May 15 at 2:30pm
Join us for a guided hike and time to chat birding and photography with Marshall Brown! Marshall can be found on Instagram (@marshall.travels) and Facebook (Marshall Brown Photography). Marshall is known for his birding expertise and fun, engaging videos! Register Here.
Hike with Jeff Vogelpohl (the Otter Whisperer)
May 16 at 8:00am
Take a morning hike with Jeff Vogelpohl: Refuge Friend and photographer. Known among many as "the otter whisperer" for his uncanny ability to find and photograph Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge's river otters, Jeff will show you his favorite spots and tips for viewing these elusive mammals. Who knows, you might just catch a glimpse yourself! This hike will cover approximately 3 miles on gravel dike trails. Register Here.

Event Schedule

Ask Us Anything!
May 2 from 12:00-3:00pm
Join volunteer Lori, Board Member TJ, and Intern Mia to learn the "secrets" of the Refuge! Info on: bird hotspots, satellite properties, shuttle & tram tours, hiking trails and tours, live cameras, youth activities, membership, volunteer opportunities and more!
Bird Brain Trivia with the Toledo Zoo
May 2 from 6:00-8:00pm
From fascinating bird facts to pop culture, music and sports with a feathered twist, this trivia night is packed with fun for bird lovers and trivia buffs alike. Gather your flock, show off your smarts and see if you have what it takes to be the ultimate bird brain. Beverages and light snacks are included. Ticket Information
Meet & Greet with Nature's Nursery
May 3 from 1:00-3:00pm
Join Jamie and a few ambassador animals at Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge for a meet and greet in the classroom! ​
Migration Meditation
Crane Creek Beach: May 8-10, May 16-17 at 7:30am
Start your day with a guided meditation reflecting on our connection to nature and our own migration journeys we go through in our lives. This program will include some light, gentle stretches along with meditation and breathing. Guests are encouraged to bring a yoga mat or towel to sit on. ​
Pollinator Plant Sale 
Visitor Center: May 8-17, 2026 from 10am-4pm.
​Join us for our annual Pollinator Plant Sale! Species to include: Bluestem Goldenrod, Blue Flag Iris, Blue Lobelia, Boneset, Bottlebrush Grass, Butterfly Milkweed, Buttonbush, Cardinal Flower, Cowbane, Culversroot, Dense Blazingstar, Early Goldenrod, False Sunflower, Fox Sedge, Franks Sedge, Greenheaded Coneflower, Greyheaded Coneflower, Hairy Mtn Mint, Hoary Vervain, Hop Sedge, Little Bluestem, Muhlenbergers Sedge, Nodding Onion, Ohio Spiderwort, Pennstemon, Rose Mallow, Rough Blazingstar, Sallow Sedge, Shrubby St Johnswort, Sneezeweed, Stiff Goldenrod, Swamp Milkweed, Tall Coreopsis, White Snakeroot, Wild Bergamot, Wild Columbine, Wild Geranium, Woodland Sedge. Plants were grown by GUTS, the Greening UToledo Through Service Learning Program.