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Spring migration near Columbusday trips within 250 miles

Not in season now; local timing: late April to mid-May at Ottawa Refuge, the nearest place we track.

In season near Columbus now

Plan this weekend from Columbus →

Where can I see spring migration near Columbus?

We track 4 spring migration places within 250 straight-line miles of Columbus, in Ohio, Pennsylvania and Michigan. The nearest is Ottawa Refuge, about 113 miles away (local timing: late April to mid-May).

Erie Refuge usually starts first (local timing: from March to early April) and Shiawassee Refuge ends last (local timing: April and May are the best months to see spring migratory birds).

Checked Sep 30. Sources (4)

Pick your week

Pick a week: the places usually in their window then light up. Each place's own usual window, or its region's or state's timing where it has none (labeled); not a forecast.

Week of Mar 1

  • In their usual window this week
  • Other weeks

In its usual season · week of Mar 1

  • Erie Refuge

    Local timing: from March to early April

    194 miles from Columbus

By distance from Columbus

Straight-line miles; roads are longer
  1. 113 miOttawa RefugeLocal timing: late April to mid-May
  2. 115 miCuyahoga ValleyUsually: early this month [May] ... reaches its frenzied peak by mid-May
  3. 194 miErie RefugeLocal timing: from March to early April
  4. 236 miShiawassee RefugeLocal timing: April and May are the best months to see spring migratory birds

Questions people ask

What's the closest spring migration to Columbus?

Ottawa Refuge, about 113 straight-line miles away. Local timing: late April to mid-May.Sources: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ottawa NWR: Species (Seasons of Wildlife) ↗ (opens in a new tab), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ottawa NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)

When is the best week for spring migration near Columbus?

Usually the week of Apr 26: 3 of the 4 places with timing are in their usual window then (Ottawa Refuge, Cuyahoga Valley and Shiawassee Refuge). A season can run early or late.Sources: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ottawa NWR: Species (Seasons of Wildlife) ↗ (opens in a new tab), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ottawa NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab), National Park Service, Cuyahoga Valley natural history topics ↗ (opens in a new tab), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Shiawassee NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)

Where does the birding season start first near Columbus?

Erie Refuge (194 miles): local timing: from March to early April.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Erie NWR: Species ↗ (opens in a new tab)

How far are these places from Columbus?

From 113 to 236 straight-line miles; roads are longer. 0 are within 100 miles.