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Hueston Woods State Park

Hueston Woods State Park, located in Butler and Preble counties, has nearly 3,000 acres of outdoor recreation, such as hiking, fishing, canoeing, and unique to this region -- fossil hunting. The park surrounds 625-acre Acton Lake, with campsites, cabins, and a resort lodge.

A local favorite located just 6 miles north of Oxford. The park has nearly 3,000 acres of outdoor recreation and surrounds the 625-acre Acton Lake. Birders can enjoy watching for some of the park's 150 bird species. The park also contains the Hedgerow Project which is a 14-acre managed wildlife habitat featuring native grasses, wildflowers, an observation blind and vernal pools, along Hedgerow Road. A great place to see Spring migrants including the Louisiana Waterthrush, Wood Thrush and a host of warblers. You may even see the occasional Common Loon or Red-breasted Merganser at Acton Lake.

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Riverside Natural Area

Despite the interesting mix of diverse habitats, Riverside Natural Area isn’t very well known among local birders. The natural area is located along the Great Miami River in Hamilton, Ohio. Among the features certain to be attractive to birders are a lagoon formed from an old river channel, a small man-made wetland that backs up against the south side of the lagoon, and approximately 130 acres of prairie. There is a modest 10-acre prairie just off the parking lot, but on the south side of Riverside Natural Area you’ll find the large, 120-acre prairie.

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The Oxbow

Herons, ducks, shorebirds–if it likes water, you can find it at the Oxbow. Located in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, the best time of year for birding the Oxbow area is during the spring migration, which extends from February for ducks, through May for shorebirds. Before you bird the Oxbow area, check the level of the Ohio River. Flood stage at Cincinnati is 52 feet, but the Oxbow begins to flood at 30 feet.

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Fernald Preserve

Once a facility that processed nuclear-weapons materials, Fernald Preserve is now one of the area’s most popular sites for birding and other nature study. Located about 20 miles northwest of Cincinnati, it features trails throughout much of its 1,050 acres.

Fernald combines wetlands, forest, and grassland for good, all-around birding. Walk the Weapons-to-Wetlands Trail to see waterfowl from fall through spring. Take the Shingle Oak Trail for woodland species and migrant songbirds. The birds nesting in the grasslands here include Northern Bobwhite, Grasshopper Sparrow, Henslow’s Sparrow, Savannah Sparrow, Dickcissel, and Bobolink.

Other breeding birds in the preserve include Wood Duck, Blue-winged Teal, Wild Turkey, American Woodcock, American Kestrel, Willow Flycatcher, Yellow-throated Vireo, Northern Parula, Yellow-throated Warbler, Blue Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting, Orchard Oriole, and Baltimore Oriole. In winter, Northern Harrier, Rough-legged Hawk, Short-eared Owl, and American Pipit might be seen in open areas.