So we’ve finally made it – we’re together as a group and ‘camped-out’ on the doorstep of The Biggest Week in American Birding. Yesterday we travelled the final leg north to our base located between Oak Harbour and Port Clinton – a five bedroom (just) house, set in rural Ohio countryside. Neil & Nicola and Phil & Carolyn finally arrived at just after eight, when we had our first group meal together. We did manage to do some birding before hand – stopping off at the excellent Killdeer Plains Wildlife Area. Here we saw more waterbirds – ducks, waders and cranes – adding a few ticks to the overall trip list and plenty to our Ohio State list. Good views of woodpeckers, another excellent Sparrow – this time Field – and, best of all, whilst looking at a winter owl roost (more out of hope than expectation) an American Bittern! This morning we’re going to Magee Marsh and TBWAB.