Erie Refugespring migration
Waterfowl migrate through the refuge from March to early April, per the Fish and Wildlife Service. Its usual window for this year has passed.
Right now at Erie Refuge
Right now in Erie Refuge · September
- Fall waterfowl migration (September to November) · Sep–Nov
Next 7 days at Erie Refuge
- TodayMostly Cloudy74° / 61°37% rain
- ThuChance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny76° / 62°42% rain
- FriRain Showers70° / 48°92% rain
- SatSlight Chance Rain Showers66° / 48°40% rain
- SunChance Rain Showers66° / 43°40% rain
- MonMostly Sunny60° / 39°10% rain
Today: sunrise 7:16 a.m., sunset 7:05 p.m., light until 7:33 p.m. · moon waning gibbous, 78% lit (our calculation)
Your guide to the area
Where to watch
- Beaver Run TrailA loop of just under a mile, open year round, through woods and fields and past beaver ponds
- Pool 9 observation deck (Deer Run spur)Covered deck with benches and spotting scopes at the end of a short spur; park on Boland Road just north of the Pool K lot
Nearby
- Cuyahoga Valley86 miearly this month [May] ... reaches its frenzied peak by mid-MaySatSlight Chance Rain Showers
- Ottawa Refuge167 milate April to mid-MaySatSlight Chance Rain Showers
- Montezuma Refuge189 mimid-MaySatMostly Sunny
- Shiawassee Refuge235 miApril and May are the best months to see spring migratory birds
- Prime Hook Refuge316 miMarchSatPartly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers
- Seney Refuge435 milate MaySatWidespread Frost then Mostly Sunny
The year at Erie Refuge
- Spring waterfowl migration (March to early April)Mar–Apr
- Spring wildflowers on the Trolley Line TrailApr–May
- Fall waterfowl migration (September to November)NowSep–Nov
- Oct: Yellow leaves against evergreensOct
- Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing on the Tsuga TrailDec–Feb
Questions people ask
When is the best time to see spring migration at Erie National Wildlife Refuge?
Waterfowl migrate through the refuge from March to early April, per the Fish and Wildlife Service: from March to early April. That's general timing for this place, not a peak date or a forecast.
Is spring migration under way at Erie National Wildlife Refuge right now?
Not now: its usual spring migration window for this year has passed. Next time: from March to early April, local timing.
Which ducks and geese might I see?
Canada geese, wood ducks, mallards, blue-winged teal and hooded mergansers are the ones the refuge says you can readily see.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Erie NWR: Species ↗ (opens in a new tab)
What time of day is best?
Early morning for birds; mammals are more likely early in the morning or at dusk.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Erie NWR: Species ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Is there somewhere indoors to watch birds?
Yes. The Visitor Contact Station has an indoor viewing area with seats, binoculars and ID guides, looking out on feeding stations; microphones bring the birdsong inside.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Erie National Wildlife Refuge wildlife watching ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Where are the best spots in Erie National Wildlife Refuge?
Beaver Run Trail: a loop of just under a mile, open year round, through woods and fields and past beaver ponds; Pool 9 observation deck (Deer Run spur): covered deck with benches and spotting scopes at the end of a short spur; park on Boland Road just north of the Pool K lot.
What is Erie National Wildlife Refuge like through the year?
Spring wildflowers on the Trolley Line Trail (Apr–May), Yellow leaves against evergreens (Oct), Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing on the Tsuga Trail (Dec–Feb), Spring waterfowl migration (March to early April) (Mar–Apr) and Fall waterfowl migration (September to November) (Sep–Nov).
How we know · Sources (5)
How we know
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Erie NWR: Species (opens in a new tab) (Sep 30) · National Weather Service forecast and alerts (opens in a new tab) (Sep 29) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Erie National Wildlife Refuge wildlife watching (opens in a new tab) (Sep 28) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Erie National Wildlife Refuge trails (opens in a new tab) (Sep 28) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, A fall foliage tour of the Northeast (opens in a new tab) (Sep 28)