Columbiana+County+Birding+Drive

=Ohio Birding Drives= Ohio Birding Drives are routes for birding trips which can be accomplished in one day, stopping to walk and bird at various eBird hotspots. For each birding drive, a Google map is provided with the route and suggested stops at eBird hotspots. You may save the link to the Google map on your smartphone or tablet, or print a copy on paper to take with you. Links are provided with information about each eBird hotspot. Follow those links for more information about birding each location.
 * =Birding in Ohio=

Columbiana County
=Columbiana County Birding Drive= Click on the hotspot names below to view the page about that hotspot in a new tab or window. You can click on the thumbnail maps below to view a larger version in a new window or tab.

This Birding Drive explores eBird hotspots in the county. When you submit checklists here you help to add to the data about birds in this region of Ohio.

@Zepernick Wildlife Area
New Garden Avenue East Rochester, Ohio 44625

The 518-acre Zepernick Wildlife Area lies four miles northwest of Hanoverton in western Columbiana County. Access is provided from OH-172, which bisects the area.

The area lies in the glaciated plateau region of northeastern Ohio. The terrain is gently rolling to steep, with a few poorly drained glacial pothole areas. Elevations vary from 1,140 feet to slightly over 1,340 feet above mean sea level. The area contains one 39-acre lake; two ponds, one and seven acres in size; and one five-acre man-made marsh. Open fields and brushland comprise the largest portion of the area, with approximately 35 percent being cultivated. Second growth hardwoods occupy 25 percent of the area. Ash, tulip, red maple, cherry, oak, hickory, beech, and sugar maple make up most of the woodland acreage. Index of Ohio's trees from the Division of Forestry. From Zepernick Wildlife Area webpage

@Guilford Lake State Park
@Guilford Lake State Park--Dam and Spillway 6835 East Lake Road Lisbon, Ohio 44432

From Zeppernick Wildlife Area, drive northeast on OH-172 for 4.7 miles. Turn left onto Hanna Drive, left on Woodale Road, and arrive at Guilford Lake State Park.

Guilford Lake is situated in the glaciated plateau region of Ohio. This portion of the Appalachian foothills was overridden by the glaciers that invaded Ohio more than 12,000 years ago. Eventually, the glacial advances were blocked by the harder and higher sandstone ridges of southeastern Ohio. The bedrock materials of this area were formed 300 million years ago from deposits laid down in streams and swamps.

Natural lakes are a feature of the glaciated landscape, although most in Ohio are very small and have now aged into bogs or marshes. These bodies of water were formed by huge chunks of ice which broke off from the retreating glacier and melted in depressions forming kettle lakes.

The area surrounding Guilford Lake, before being impounded as a reservoir, was extremely swampy indicating it may have been a remnant of a natural glacial lake. The park attracts migrating waterfowl in the fall and spring and also provides good habitat for a variety of songbirds such as the red-winged blackbird, song sparrow, and eastern meadowlark. Other wildlife common to the area are red fox, raccoon, skunk and white-tailed deer. From Guilford Lake State Park website

@Firestone-Yeagley Wildlife Area
County Highway 410 Lisbon, Ohio 44432

From Guilford Lake State Park, return to OH-172. Turn left onto OH-172 and go 1 mile. Turn left onto Baker Road and go .5 miles. Turn left onto Depot Road and arrive at Firestone-Yeagley Wildlife Area.

This 17-acre wildlife area lies six miles south of Salem in Columbiana County. Access is provided from Depot Road (County Highway 410). The area lies in the glaciated plateau region of northeastern Ohio. The entire area is marshland.

Since the area was established in 2001, it has been managed as a public hunting area for wetland wildlife. Hunting and trapping are the major recreational uses. From Firestone-Yeagley Wildlife Area webpage

@Beaver Creek State Park
12021 Echo Dell Road East Liverpool, Ohio 43920

From Firestone-Yeagley Wildlife Area, return to OH-172. Turn left onto OH-172 east and drive 3.4 miles. Continue straight onto US-30 east for 2.5 miles. Continue straight onto OH-154 and drive 3.3 miles. Continue straight onto Middle Beaver Road and drive 4.3 miles. Make a slight right onto OH-7 south and go 1.7 miles. Turn left onto Bell School Road and go 1.2 miles. Turn left onto Echo Dell Road and arrive at Beaver Creek State Park on the left in 1.3 miles.

There are tips for birding Beaver Creek State Park From Ohio Ornithological Society.

Beaver Creek State Park is nestled in the sandstone hills of eastern Ohio. The park is comprised of various habitats including bottomlands, a gorge, forests and Little Beaver Creek--a state and national wild and scenic river. The valley of Little Beaver is characterized by steep walls, high rock cliffs, and numerous gentle rapids. Geologically, the valley of Little Beaver is extremely unique, being the only stream valley in the United States yet described, in which evidence of all four major glaciations is found.

The flora of the park contains several interesting and unusual species, some of which are more commonly found in northern regions. Canada yew, yellow and black birch, hemlock and mountain laurel can be found in the deep stream valley. The stream banks are lined with delicate wildflowers including jewelweed, hepatica, violets, and spring beauties.

Many types of wildlife find the park's varying habitats inviting. Red fox, skunk, raccoon and white-tailed deer are commonly seen while the elusive wild turkey is making a comeback in the area. Recently, sightings of black bear have become more frequent. From Beaver Creek State Park website

@Highlandtown Wildlife Area
@Highlandtown Reservoir--Dam @Highlandtown Reservoir--Headwaters @Highlandtown Reservoir--North Arm Spring Valley Road Salineville, Ohio 43945

From Beaver Creek State Park, drive south on Echo Dell Road for 1.3 miles. Turn right onto Bell School Road and drive 1.2 miles. Turn left onto OH-7 south and go 1.7 miles. Turn right onto East Liverpool Road and drive 3.9 miles. Continue onto US-30 west, turn left onto West Point Road, turn right onto county Road 448A, and Turn left onto OH-518 west. Follow OH-518 west for 3.9 miles. Turn left onto Steubenville Pike Road and drive 3.8 miles. Arrive at Highlandtown Wildlife Area.

The terrain is steeply rolling, with some flat hilltops and valley floors. Elevations vary from 1,060 to 1,340 feet above sea level. Highlandtown Lake, 170 acres in size, is on the upper headwaters of Little Yellow Creek. Second growth hardwoods and conifers which cover most of the area are interspersed with brushy coverts, former crop fields, and some meadow and grain crops. From Highlandtown Wildlife Area webpage

There are several eBird hotspots to explore on the Highlandtown Reservoir.

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