Birder and naturalist pens new book

SANDUSKY — Mary L. Warren hopes birdwatchers will flock to read her new book, "Mary's Journals: Simple Short Stories about Magee Marsh, Birding, Traveling, Camping and Life."The longtime naturalist and birdwatcher drew from journals and from her 2014 column for the Sandusky Register about her "big year" of birdwatching in Erie County to put together the slim paperback.During a big year, a birdwatcher tries to record as many different species of birds as possible. Warren spotted 232 different birds during her big year."I thought if I could reach 200, that would be good," she said.A 2011 comedy film, "The Big Year," starring Jack Black, Steve Martin and Owen Wilson, popularized the concept. Warren knows Greg Miller, the real-life birder the Black character was partially based upon.Warren, 66, who lives in Sandusky, worked for many years as a naturalist at Magee Marsh, helping people learn about nature and birds.But studying nature wasn't just a job for her.She has often traveled to spot rare birds.For example, she took a trip to North Carolina to see a Bachman's sparrow. A friend led Warren into some woods where the bird has been seen, and after she played the bird's song from an app on her smartphone, the bird obligingly answered and let itself be found.Warren's birding trips also have taken her to Honduras, Costa Rica and Panama, and to many other places.And she's seen some rare birds."I've seen a Kirtland's warbler a few times," she said. "That's a really rare warbler everyone wants to see."Warren won't name a favorite bird, but she likes warblers."They're just so colorful, and they're not here very long," she said.Although retired from her Magee Marsh job, Warren remains active as a member of Friends of Magee Marsh and of Firelands Audubon Society. She's a member of the board of the Ohio Ornithological Society.Warren and her husband have three children, eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.She's attempted to pass on her love of nature."I try to get all of the kids outside as much as I can," she said.Want the book?WHAT: "Mary's Journals: Simple Short Stories about Magee Marsh, Birding, Traveling, Camping and Life."COST: $11.WHERE: Available from the gift shops at Magee Marsh Wildlife Area and Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge, or directly from the author. She can be reached by email at windbird@bex.net.Sandusky resident Mary Warren stands in her backyard on Monday, July 3, 2017, while holding the book she wrote about birding.Mary Warren, a Sandusky resident, recently published a book about birding.Sandusky resident Mary Warren stands in her backyard on Monday, July 3, 2017, while holding the book she wrote about birding.