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1. Black Swamp Bird Observatory
13551 West State Route 2, Oak Harbor, OH 43449; 419-898-4070
www.bsbo.org
If you’ve ever thought you might like to dip a toe into the birding world, Black Swamp is the place to start. Your first excursion might be a walk along the modest 1/3-mile birding trail behind the visitor center. If you’re intrigued by the migrant songbirds there, or the peculiar antics of the American woodcock, your next step is a Birding for Beginners workshop, held periodically at the Observatory. After that, you’ll be interested in Hike the Dikes, monthly guided excursions into Magee Marsh and the Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge to view birds and local flora and fauna. Scheduled boat excursions on Lake Erie might also interest you, along with a once-a-year field trip to see wintering raptors at Killdeer Plains. Research, education, and conservation are the missions of the Observatory, and enthusiastic birders and volunteers are always welcome.
2. Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve
2381 State Route 343, Yellow Springs, OH 45387; 614-265-6561
www.naturepreserves.ohiodnr.gov/cliftongorge
You might imagine canyons are only found out west, but we’ve got them right here in southwest Ohio. Clifton Gorge, one of 136 State Nature Preserves in Ohio, is also one of 23 National Natural Landmarks in the state. Set amid 268 acres along the Little Miami River, the Gorge is a spectacular example of the ways in which glacial rivers cut through limestone and dolomite bedrock. In this case, geologists speculate that glacial “potholes” (lakes left behind by melting glacier ice) may have connected to form one especially deep and narrow channel. Sections of rapids and waterfalls are visible from the trail along the Little Miami River. The Gorge trail is especially known for spring displays of snow trillium.
3. Crabill Fen State Nature Preserve
Buck Creek State Park, 1901 Buck Creek Lane, Springfield, OH 45502; 614-265-6561
naturepreserves.ohiodnr.gov/crabillfen
Crabill Fen, named for a pioneer family, is a spring-fed alkaline wetland at the edge of the Kennard glacial outwash. There are no visitor facilities or trails, but nature lovers will find it worthwhile for the unusual plant species preserved there. These include prairie dock, limestone savory, fen Indian plantain, fen sedge, and blue-leaved willow, among others. Ecological management, including removal and treatment of invasive species, keeps the fen protected. Because the fen is a sensitive area, access is by downloadable permit from the ODNR Division of Natural Areas and Preserves; request at least 14 days in advance.
4. Crawford Park District
2401 State Route 598, Crestline, OH 44827; 419-683-9000
www.crawfordparkdistrict.org
Two parks, three nature preserves, a wildlife area, and a bikeway make up this park district serving Crawford County in northern Ohio. The 53-acre Unger Park has a 3-mile trail system that includes sections open to horses from June through October. Yearly prescribed burns keep the restored prairie healthy. Unger also features more than 100 species of reintroduced prairie plants and a pond and wetland habitat. Lowe-Volk Park near Crestline has 2 miles of trails, a fishing dock, and a boardwalk. Sears Woods State Nature Preserve is known for abundant spring wildflowers, songbirds, and wood frogs. Heckert Nature Preserve is known for butterflies, some of which overwinter there. The 33-acre Daughmer Prairie Savannah preserves a remnant of unplowed, deep-soil land, with species including prairie cord grass, Bicknell’s sedge, wheat sedge, and flat-stemmed spike-rush. At the Sandusky Wildlife Area, a yearly drawing allows a limited number of hunters from Crawford County. The Colonel Crawford Bikeway, 32 miles long, winds through several parks and preserves. One stop is at a monument that honors Col. Crawford, captured and killed by Native Americans in 1782.
5. Lake Katharine State Nature Preserve
1703 Lake Katharine Road, Jackson, OH 45640; 740-286-2487
www.naturepreserves.ohiodnr.gov/lakekatharine
Lake Katharine is one of the little-known gems of southwest Ohio. Surrounded by a 2,019-acre preserve, the wildflower display here includes native orchids and both bigleaf and umbrella magnolias. The western side of the preserve is closed to visitors, but elsewhere, Calico Bush, Salt Creek, and Pine Ridge trails are available to hikers. The 6 miles of trails lead visitors across creeks, through marshlands, and under the edges of massive sandstone cliffs. The 120-acre artificial lake is open only to permit holders for a fee. Those seeking to use the lake can call the park office on certain days of the month to request a permit. Five per day are issued Fridays through Mondays between April and October, sunrise to sunset. Limited hunting is sometimes permitted in the preserve.
