Auglaize+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=

Auglaize County
=Auglaize 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 Auglaize County. When you submit checklists here you help to add to the data about birds in this region of Ohio.

@Fort Amanda Park
Lima, Ohio 45806

Fort Amanda State Memorial is located in Auglaize County, Logan Township, southwest of Lima on OH-198, .25 mile south of Fort Amanda Road.

Fort Amanda is a small park but includes a sycamore-lined riparian corridor along the Auglaize River which is accessed from atop a high bank putting you eye-level with much of the vegetation. Should provide good viewing of migrants and could have nesting warblers.

Fort Amanda was one of a series of forts extending north from Piqua to Fort Meigs (present day Perrysburg), built by order of General William Henry Harrison. These forts helped supply the army protecting the Northwest from British invasion during the war of 1812. Fort Amanda's construction began in the fall of 1812 under the direction of Lt. Col. Robert Pogue who named it Amanda in honor of his 12-year-old daughter. The original fort is believed to have measured 160 feet by 160 feet. Located at the head of navigation of the Auglaize River, it had a small landing with a boat yard and served as a supply post and hospital. Soldiers built riverboats or pirogues to transport soldiers and supplies. From Fort Amanda Park webpage

@Forty Acre Pond Bridge
Glynwood Road Saint Marys, Ohio 45885

From Fort Amanda, drive north on OH-198 for .2 mile. Turn left onto Deep Cut Road and drive 1.5 miles. Turn left onto Moulton-Fort Amanda Road and drive .5 mile. Turn right onto Kossuth Amanda Road and drive 2.9 miles. Continue straight onto OH-197 west for .4 mile. Turn left onto OH-66 south and drive 5.3 miles. Turn right onto Glynwood Road and the Forty Acre Pond Bridge will be on the left in 1.7 miles.

The Forty Acre Pond, part of the Miami and Erie Canal system, is a pond where boats could be turned around. The water in the forty acre pond aided in stabilizing the water level of the canal. The Buckeye Trail passes near the pond. From Forty Acre Pond webpage

@K.C. Geiger Park
Greenville Road Saint Marys, Ohio 45885

From the Forty Acre Pond Bridge, drive south on Glynwood Road for .4 mile. Turn left onto Saint Marys River Road and drive 1.7 miles. Turn left onto OH-116 south and go .9 mile. Turn left onto Indiana Avenue and then turn right onto North Main Street. In .8 mile turn left onto Greenville Road. Arrive at K.C. Geiger Park on the left.

A 70-acre multi-recreational complex which includes activities for all age groups. The development of this park began in 1977 and was accomplished in phases. Facilities include: two lighted baseball diamonds, two softball diamonds (one lighted), six youth diamonds (Little League and Girl's Softball), four lighted tennis courts, two restroom/concession buildings, one concession only building, one soccer field, one practice soccer field, three shelter house/picnic facilities, fishing pond, snow hill, lighted volleyball courts, lighted basketball court, paved roadway, three parking lots, concrete walkways, paved bikeway, two playground areas, and all underground utilities. From K.C. Geiger Park webpage

@Grand Lake Saint Marys State Park
Grand Lake Saint Marys State Park--East Bank Picnic Area Saint Marys, Ohio 45885

From K.C. Geiger Park, turn right onto East Greenville Road for .2 mile. Turn right onto South Main Street and go .6 mile. Turn left onto West Spring Street and then turn right onto North Wayne Street. Turn left onto Jackson Street and in .4 mile continue straight onto OH-703 and drive 1.5 miles. Turn left onto villa Nova Boulevard and go .2 mile. Turn left onto Edgewater Drive and arrive at Grand Lake Saint Marys State Park.

Grand Lake Saint Marys lies along one of the country's major migration routes. Waterbirds using the lake as a resting stop include Canada geese, ducks, grebes, swans, egrets, loons, herons, cormorants, and ospreys. Many ducks, geese, and heron also nest here. Bald eagles, magnificent birds long absent from the area, have again nested on the southwest corner of the lake at the wildlife refuge. Other animals of the park include fox squirrel, mink, raccoon, beaver, coyote, white-tailed deer and many others.

To reach the East Bank Picnic Area drive east on Edgewater Drive, continue straight onto Parkway Drive and drive .4 mile. Turn right into the East Bank Picnic Area. This picnic area stretches for over a mile along the east bank of the lake providing opportunities to see birds in the picnic area and on the lake. From Grand Lake Saint Marys State Park website

@Saint Marys State Fish Hatchery
Feeder Road Saint Marys, Ohio 45885

From the East Bank Picnic Area, return to Parkway Drive. Turn right onto OH-364 south and drive 1.4 miles. Turn left onto Feeder Road and arrive at Saint Marys State Fish Hatchery.

There are tips for birding Saint Marys State Fish Hatchery From Ohio Ornithological Society website.

A primary birding spot in the Grand Lake Saint Marys area is around the State Fish Farm ponds, located at the east end of the lake. The ponds are often drained during late summer or fall, which provides mudflats for migrating shorebirds. In addition, geese, ducks, gulls, and terns all find the area attractive. There is a system of gravel roadways throughout the farm which allows close approaches to many of the ponds.

Bird habitat includes narrow mowed grass strips between ponds, a few larger lawn areas, and the ponds themselves. Gulls, terns, geese, and wading birds are often found on the grassy areas. When ponds are drained in the spring or fall, mudflats can be extensive and attractive to shorebirds and wading birds, but during the summer, this usually results in very brief mudflat habitat before totally drying up. Both diving and puddle ducks can be found on the ponds, depending on peak migration periods. To the east of the fish-rearing ponds are open fields and two large “natural ponds” that are open for hunting during regulated seasons (beware). When hatchery personnel are stocking fish or maintaining ponds, please avoid driving in such areas.

@Kenning-Dicke Natural Area
New Bremen, Ohio 45869

From Saint Marys State Fish Hatchery, turn right onto Greenville Road and go .3 mile. Turn left onto Tri Township Road and drive 1.8 miles. Turn left onto OH-219 east and go 2 miles. Turn right onto OH-66 south and drive 3 miles. Turn left onto Lock 2 Road for .5 miles. Turn right onto Lock 2 North Road and arrive at Kenning-Dicke Natural Area in .4 mile.

The Kuenning-Dicke Natural Area, located along the historic Miami and Erie Canal between Lock One and the former site of Lock Two, offers 71 acres of wildlife protection and a peaceful site for outdoor recreation. More than 800 trees have been planted in the park to spur the return of native plant and animal species to the area. The KDNA hosts 2.5 miles of trails for walking, running, hiking and biking. A three-acre lake provides ample opportunity for catch-and-release fishing, while the primitive campsite is the perfect resting spot for backpackers and cyclists. The park is also home to several small memorials, honoring American veterans of wars and conflicts. From Kenning-Dicke Natural Area webpage

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