From April through October, there are good numbers of Great Blue Herons, a few Green-backed Herons, plenty of Great Egrets and lesser numbers of the more secretive Black-crowned Night Herons. Ring-billed and Herring Gulls will be liberally scattered about the marsh.

The Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge complex encompasses over 8,000 acres including an island and a series of marshes that hopscotch along the shores of Lake Erie from west of Port Clinton nearly to Toledo. Eighty-six acre West Sister Island, nine miles offshore, supports an important heron and egret rookery and has been designated a National Wildlife Area.

Approximately 750 pairs of Great Egrets nest on the island, plus substantial numbers of Great Blue and Black-crowned Night-Herons, six to ten pairs of Snowy Egrets, and several hundred pairs of Double-crested Cormorants. Little Blue Herons and Cattle Egrets have nested in the past. Casual visitation to the island is not permitted. Only authorized researchers may go ashore, but we can get very close. A fantastic sight!

The area includes the scenic shore of Lake Erie. Crane Creek State Park offers a vast freshwater marsh and spacious sandy beaches for enjoyment. This coastal environment is home to more than 300 species of birds. Herons, waterfowl, warblers, gulls and the magnificent bald eagle make this area one of the best birdwatching environments in the country.

This Lake Erie shoreline provides one of the last strongholds of the bald eagle in Ohio. Several nesting pairs have been reported recently along this beautiful and active coastline.

A good estimate for this cruise would be a minimum of three hours. Of course time will vary depending on what you wish to see. A naturalist is on every cruise.