By Dave Chase
Mentor Marsh is one of the largest natural marshes remaining along the Lake Erie shoreline. It serves as in important stopover for migrating bird species as well as those that call it home year-round.
Back in the 1960s, the ecosystem was compromised when salt tailings from a nearby mine were dumped into the watershed. The swamp forest that occupied the marsh basin was destroyed, and native species were eventually choked out by invasive phragmites.
Over the past decade, the Cleveland Museum of Natural History began a major restoration project to eliminate invasive plant species and reintroduce native species. And the results have been amazing. We now enjoy some of the best birding in the state of Ohio.
One of my favorite places to bird is at the Mentor Lagoons Nature Preserve located on the western end of the marsh. Many unique species of birds can be found in this area. Black crown night herons can be seen along Marsh creek at the lagoons. In recent years we have seen Little Blue Herons, Great Egrets, Cattle Egrets, Bald Eagles, Glossy Ibis and many varieties of hawks.
On the western end of the marsh along the Rim Trail we have observed breeding least bitterns, soras, and Virginia rails. In the western marsh we have observed white pelicans, osprey, and a large variety of shorebirds.
In recent years kayaking on Marsh creek and the western end of the marsh has become very popular. Canoes can be rented by between Memorial Day and Labor Day at the Mentor Lagoons Marina taking you right into the middle of the show.
The adjoining Mentor Marsh Nature Preserve is one of my favorite hiking areas. Great horned owls and Barred owls make this area their home. Many species of birds have been documented along these trails. In the spring this is one of the top areas to view a large variety of warblers – including my favorite, the Prothonotary Warbler. This is one of the few areas that prothonotary warblers can be view. Sightings have increased with the restoration of marsh creek and the marsh and in recent years, we have had a rare documentation of the Tropical Kingbird in the Mentor Lagoons. Every hike in the area has the potential to turn up some amazing bird species.
The Wake Robin Board walk is another one of my favorite birding areas. This boardwalk goes a long way out into the marsh and offers some outstanding birding opportunities. In recent years we have observed several unique species of birds in this area. A yellow rail was photographed at the boardwalk a couple of years ago. We have documented Yellow headed black birds, cattle egrets, nelsons sparrows, LeConte’s sparrow and many other species of Marsh birds. I generally bird this popular area at daylight. You never know what rare species will show up along this boardwalk. In recent years large numbers of ducks winter in this area of the marsh.
The Zimmerman Trail is another favorite hike trail. This trail traverses the northeast end of Mentor Marsh. I like this trail because it is not hike very often. I very seldom see anyone else on the trail. Once again, many species of can be view along this trail. There is an active bald eagle’s nest that can be viewed from the trail. It is not unusual to see Northern Harriers hunting out in the marsh. A couple of years ago a few of us documented a Kentucky warbler along the trail. The North end of Zimmerman Trail offers great views of the eastern basin of mentor marsh. A couple of years ago we documented a pair of black terns in this area. Recently the museum of natural history has restored this area of the marsh and planted an extensive variety of marsh plants in hopes of attracting nesting pairs or Black Terns to this area.
I have been fortunate to hike many areas of the mentor marsh for years. I believe that it truly has become one of the top birding locations in the state of Ohio. I believe that the Mentor Marsh will continue to attract many rare species of birds future.