Just As Fun As The Amusement Park: The Other Cedar Point

Donated in 1964 by the Cedar Point Shooting Club, Cedar Point National Wildlife Refuge  lies twenty minutes west of Ottawa NWR. The refuge’s 2445 acres are typically closed to the public, with the exception of a few weeks of limited fishing access. While this restriction limits visitor access, it also guarantees that the area’s wildlife can live undisturbed.

That said, Ottawa’s staff occasionally lead bus tours to Cedar Point.  During the chaos of spring migration, I led my first tour to the Refuge. Joined by Ottawa NWR’s Project Leader Jason Lewis, my group spent a relaxed three hours searching for birds and admiring the views. If you didn’t have a chance to see this beautiful land, don’t despair: there’s always next May!

Although many folks may never have the chance to see Cedar Point NWR firsthand, it’s nice to know that our wildlife can thrive undisturbed in these beautiful wetlands.

Gray skies muddle birds’ coloration, making photography and species identification all the more challenging.

It’s all fun and games until the sun disappears and the wind picks up. Then we kick up the heater and try birding-by-bus for a while!

“Look for the small dull colored bird on the vine!” Many birds, including warblers and vireos, adore this dense vegetation. I find the hardest part of birding is often explaining exactly which part of the tangle you’re looking at.

All aboard the Blue Goose Express! This 14 passenger van, donated by our Friend’s Association, allows the refuge to lead off-site tours. Check our website or call our front desk (419-898-0014) to learn more about our upcoming trips.

Finally the sun returns! Despite the fickle weather, the group had a lovely time.