Where We Are Birding – August

by | Aug 16, 2021 | 0 comments

Each month, our OOS Regional Directors are sharing their favorite birding hotspots in their respective regions – and beyond. These include some well-know destinations, specialty spots for specific species, and their own secret, treasured local patches. Have a favorite birding location? Reach out to your OOS Regional Director and let them know!

Amy Downing – Northwest Regional Director

Findlay Reservoir – Hancock County
I can’t help but annually mention my favorite find in my hometown at the Findlay Reservoir in Hancock County. This is a large, man-made stopover for many birds, particularly a large variety of shorebirds on their spring and fall migrations.  I’ve had occasional views of Whimbrel and Black-necked Stilts along with regular sightings of Baird’s Sandpipers, Lesser and Greater Yellowlegs, and Ruddy Turnstones, but my favorite annual  find is easily the Buff-breasted Sandpipers. Aside from the long walk to the middle dike at first or last light of day this is the best viewing and photography opportunity of this species in the state. There is accessible parking at the top of both boat ramps and all paths are groomed blacktop or stone paths accessible to most wheeled needs. 
My favorite Buffy’s are coming soon, and  Hancock County’s dry field conditions are ripe for them to navigate to the Findlay Reservoir!
Birding-in-Ohio Hotspot Info

Melissa Wales – Southeast Regional Director

West State St. Park – Athens County

As shorebird migration ramps up, those of us in heavily forested Athens County/SE Ohio sometimes struggle to find good habitat based on rainfall. Recently, birders here were surprised to find a small, post-storm, flooded puddle near the Ohio University putting green in the W. State St. park with up to six Least Sandpipers at one point poking around in the mud, along with some Killdeer. A good reminder that migrating birds find habitat wherever they can, and to keep our eyes on puddles and flooded fields for shorebirds right now!

Birding-in-Ohio Hotspot Info

Diana Steele – Northeast Regional Director

Lakeview Park – Cuyahoga County

August and September are great months to wander through Lakeview Park in Lorain as part of a Lake Erie hotspot tour. While no one day guarantees a particular mix of species, you never know what might turn up there.

On the beach, you might encounter a variety of shorebirds, including Sanderling, Dunlin, Ruddy Turnstone, sandpipers or plovers. The trees above the beach shelter smaller migratory birds like warblers and vireos, while in and over the lake you can spot ducks, mergansers, and a wide variety of gulls and terns. Peregrine falcons make regular forays into the gull population.

If the birds are scarce you can enjoy the late-blooming roses or dip your toes in the warm late-summer water.

Birding-in-Ohio Hotspot Info

Jon Cefus – East Central Regional Director

Wilderness Road – Wayne County
This month, I am searching for shorebirds at one of the best spots in East Central Ohio, Wilderness Road in Wayne County.  Wilderness Road is a small road running east to west along mostly private property south of Funk Bottoms Wildlife Area.  In the past, water was drawn down in order to mine peat, but that operation ceased a few years ago, so searching for shorebirds is a bit more difficult, however there are still many birds that show up each year and as water levels go down naturally there is ample opportunity to observe shorebirds in their southern migration of thousands of miles.  A scope is typically essential to bird this area.  For more details on how to check various spots along Wilderness Road, see the Birding in Ohio webpage.
Birding-in-Ohio Hotspot Info

Tyler Ficker – Southwest Regional Director

Mercer Wildlife Area – Mercer County 

Mercer Wildlife Area in Mercer County is an excellent location for migrating shorebirds and wading birds in August! Most of the shorebird species that pass through Ohio show up in this area at some point throughout the season. You never know what might drop in there!

Birding-in-Ohio Hotspot Info