CLEVELAND — Ohio is along two of the busiest paths for birds to migrate north. 

People from across the globe fly in to attend the Biggest Week in American Birding put on by Black Swamp Bird Observatory. Many go to see the colorful warbler.

What You Need To Know

  • Birds may be easier to spot during a rain because it brings them to lower branches in the trees

  • Birding has great accessibility, thanks to free apps and the ability to do almost anywhere

  • Black Swamp Bird Observatory is hosting the Biggest Week in American Birding 

People from across the globe fly in to attend the Biggest Week in American Birding put on by Black Swamp Bird Observatory. Many go to see the colorful warbler.

“Got really into it because this girl I met was also into birding,”  said Alex Smearman.

Smearman said his love of birding can be done anywhere, anytime.

“At a baseball game… looking out the window while you’re playing video games," Smearman said.

He said all you need are a pair of binoculars and your phone.

“With the apps on your phone, they can find out all different types of birds,” Smearman said.

Some birds can be tough to spot, especially if they’re high up in a tree, but they can often be heard. Smearman said patience is key but you don’t have to wait hours.

“Even just one. Every bird counts,” he said.

"Ohio is spectacular for hundreds of species of birds, but what really steals the show is warbler migration,” said Jamey Emmert, an avian education coordinator with the Ohio Division of Wildlife.

The little birds can be tough to spot and seemingly hide behind leaves.

“They’re plucking caterpillars from backs of leaves, trying to fuel up, because they’re traveling thousands of miles,” Emmet said.

And she recommends going out in the rain.

“Many species like to be neck breakers, up high in the trees, but rain will bring them down and make it more accessible that way,” she said.

Commonly referred to as bird watching, birding is for all levels of ability, including those that can’t see.

Emmert said blind people can identify birds by song and anyone old enough to use a smartphone can use it identify birds using a variety of free apps.

Smearman proudly posted when he reached his 100th bird on his social media accounts.

“I’m up to 137 species in my life,” he said.

He said he and the fellow bird-lover he met are now a couple.

“Like a couple of lovebirds,” he said.

The Biggest Week in American Birding begins Friday in northwest Ohio. For more information, click here.