Brandon Brywczynski: Bus Driver

The front door at Maumee Bay

When I volunteered to be a driver for tours during The Biggest Week in American Birding, I was told that I would be driving a 15 passenger van.  I thought, I can do that.  I’ve driven larger trucks before and hadn’t had any problems.  Piece a cake!  Right?

When I got to the Maumee Bay Lodge and Conference Center at 6:15 on Saturday morning, I was given the keys and told to bring the bus around.  “The bus?”, I said.  Yes...the bus.  I had to drive a short bus.  I was slightly terrified at the fact that I would be driving such a large vehicle.  I thought to myself, “You don’t need a CDL for this beast?”  Nope.  As long as there are less than 15 passengers, I was told, you don’t need a CDL.  Great.  At least I’ll be adhering to Ohio law as I go careening off the road with a bus full of crazy birders.

The trip on Saturday included stops at Pearson Metropark and Metzger Marsh Wildlife Area.  I only had been to Pearson once before, so I didn’t know what to expect.  The park was surprisingly fruitful for birders.  Personally, I was able to pick up Red-eyed Vireo and Savannah Sparrow at Pearson, the latter being a life bird for me.  We also heard, but did not a see, a talkative Marsh Wren.  I also was happy to strike up a conversation with a former Title 1 reading teacher named Midge.  She was a stitch.  She explained that her eyesight and hearing wasn’t up to snuff anymore, so she was struggling with getting all the birds everyone else was seeing.  At Pearson she missed a beautiful Hooded Warbler.  I hope you get that elusive Hooded before the week is up Midge!

After spending about two hours at Pearson, we headed to Metzgers.  Yes I know birders, it’s Metzger Marsh without the S.  I don’t care.  I’ve said it that way my whole life and I seriously doubt that will change.  Anyways, Metzgers was not nearly as hopping on Saturday as it was the day before.  We saw some different things (Common Gallinule, Blue-headed Vireo, Snowy Egret), but I did not add any new birds.  The highlight of this stop was a gem of a story from Midge about being part of a tour group that was trying to scare up a Virginia Rail.  The bird was flushed several time as the group walked into the marsh, but Midge didn’t get a great look at it.  When they were heading back the guide said, “Well...at least we got it up a couple times.”  Midge then looked at the much younger man and said, “I didn’t think you’d have any trouble with that at your age.”  Imagine the quintessential grandma delivering that line.  Priceless!

After the tour was over I mosied on over to DG’s on Route 2, and got myself two hot chicken sandwiches and a small jamoca shake.  Always hits the spot.  I devoured that as I drove to Magee.  Elissa, Ruby, Mom and Dad, and my Aunt Woody met me out there, and we proceeded to have a good few hours of birding.  New birds included but were not limited to Bay-breasted, Cerulean, Mourning, and Golden-winged Warblers.  With the combined additions at Pearson and Magee, I added 10 new species to the Big List!

Despite Saturday being an exhaustingly fun day, my volunteering was not over.  On Sunday I was at Maumee Bay before the sun was up.  This trip was an all day affair to Erie County.  I had never really birded in Erie County before so I was interested to see what it had to offer.  Stops included Pipe Creek, Erie Sand Barons, and Pickerel Creek.  Although I did not see any new birds on the trip, I had a blast with the many educators who were in our group.  

One highlight of the Erie County trip was a spotting (by yours truly) of an American Bittern.  One birder was so excited to see one that she actually bear hugged me.  The fact, however, that I did not see a single new bird in eight hours really peeved me.  Because of this, I stopped off at the Bayshore fishing access on the way home just to see if there was anything new there.  As soon as I parked my car a little bird flitted right into my field of view.  It was a Least’s Flycatcher.  It was also my 216th bird for the year.  Phew!

Unfortunately, I’m not sure when I’ll be able to get back out the birding hot spots on Route 2.  I am scheduled to work everyday this week, and the coming weekend (which includes International Migratory Bird Day) looks bleak regarding opportunities to bird.  I am excited, however, to announce that another installment for the Young Birders’ series is right around the corner.  Thanks for reading and happy birding!