On my journey from Grand Rapids to Pittsburgh, I came across another wildlife refuge center. The visitor center was closed but the good news is that the park was open until sundown, so I have a few hours to see the wildlife. I only came across two hikers on my entire two and a half hours within the refuge. There is a gravel road that you drive which is one way and you could have a car pass you if you pulled over far enough before you were enjoying wildlife. I was able to see adult and juvenile American Swans, and Bald Eagles! In addition to them, Blue Herons and Great White Egrets were in abundance at the refuge. The Canada Geese were in full swing as well within the refuge.
The refuge is more than 9,500 acres and is managed but the US Fish and Wildlife. The refuge was created in 1961 on the shores of Lake Erie. The US government gave authority for this and other refuges with the Migratory Bird Conservation Act. The government purchased this land from hunt clubs and even farmsteads using funds obtained from the selling of Federal Duck Stamps.
The refuge is the third one that I have seen in 2025 and they are all spectacular. I highly recommend doing to a refuge to see wild birds on your journey.
