Friends of Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge
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Welcome to the West Sister Island Rookery

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FACTS ABOUT WEST SISTER NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE:
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--WSI is located approximately midway between Toledo and South Bass Island, and is about 8 miles off shore.

--WSI was established as a refuge in 1937.

--In 1975, 77 acres of the 82 acre island were designated as wilderness (part of the National Wilderness Preservation System.) It is Ohio’s only Wilderness Area.

--5 acres of the island including the lighthouse are managed by the U.S. Coast Guard. The lighthouse is automated and operational.

--WSI is a rookery, a place where colonial birds nest.  It is the largest Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, and Black-Crowned Night Heron rookery in the U.S. Great Lakes.
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Species that nest on West Sister Island include great blue herons, great egrets, black-crowned night herons, snowy egrets, double-crested cormorants, and sometimes even cattle egrets or little blue herons! The wading birds that nest on West Sister Island are quite incredible. The water right around the island is too deep for the birds to feed, so they must travel to the mainland marshes at Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge to hunt for food to feed their young, an 18 mile round trip! 

While there is no public access on the island to protect this important nesting area, you can see the island up close on our West Sister Island Cruise.

Here's some data for the minimum and maximum nest counts for each bird species from 1991-2023.

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​Great Blue Heron

2023: 969 nests; max. 1992: 2,444 nests; min. 2014: 553 nests.

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Black Crowned Night Heron
2023: 283 nests
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Double Crested Cormorant

2023: 1,193 nests; max. 2005: 3,813 nests; min. 1992: 186 nests

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Great Egret
2023: 829 nests; max. 2019, 1,515 nests;  min. 2001: 640 nests.
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Snowy Egret
2023: 0 nests; max. 2000: 10 nests 
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Little Blue Heron
2023: 0 nests; 1991 & 2005: 1 nest

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Cattle Egret
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2023: 0 nests; max. 2008: 9 nests

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Friends of Ottawa NWR
14000 W. State Route 2
Oak Harbor, OH 43449 

  
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419-898-0014 x13
friendsofottawanwr@gmail.com

 EIN: 34-1904821   
Visitor Center open Wednesday-Sunday 10am-4pm.
  • HOME
  • YOUR REFUGE
    • Plan Your Visit
    • Ottawa NWR Complex
    • Refuge Challenges
    • Recent Sightings
    • Visitor Center
    • Kids Corner
    • Wildlife Drive
    • Endangered Wildlife
    • Endangered Plants
    • Research >
      • Bald Eagle Updates
      • West Sister Island Rookery
      • Blanding's Turtles
    • Gallery >
      • Most Memorable Moments
      • Photos by Friends
    • Wildlife Observation & Birding Tips
    • Timing of Bird Migration
    • Spring Birding Spots
    • Fishing and Hunting Information
    • EV Charging Station
    • Barn Quilt Trail
    • Know Your Signs
    • National Wildlife Refuge System
  • Who we are
    • Our Story
    • Friends History
    • Network of Friends
    • Strategic Goals
    • Financials
    • Board of Directors
    • Friends Staff
    • Refuge Staff
    • Community Partners
  • WHAT WE DO
    • Events >
      • Migration-A-Thon
      • Photography Contest
      • Shuttle Tours
    • Friends Programs >
      • Land Acquisition and Restoration
      • Internship Program
      • Environmental Education Grants
      • Glass City Bird Crew
      • Nature Programs
    • Friends Projects >
      • Shuttle
      • Bird Friendly Facility Project
      • Fox Nature Preserve
      • Nehls Memorial Nature Preserve
      • Portage River Water Trail
      • Marinewood Restoration
      • West Harbor Project
      • Wildlife Drive Improvements
      • Visitor Center Fishing Access
    • Recent Accomplishments
    • Carrying on a Legacy
  • HOW TO HELP
    • Donate
    • License Plate
    • Become a Member
    • Employer Match
    • Wheels for Wetlands
    • Legacy Gifts
    • Federal Duck Stamp Program
    • Volunteer >
      • Volunteer Portal
    • Corporate Sponsors
    • Conservation at Home
    • Say No to Balloon Releases
  • Shop