Sheldon+Marsh+State+Nature+Preserve


 * =Birding in Ohio=

Erie County
Also, see Biggest Week in American Birding and Erie County Lakeshore Birding Drive =Sheldon Marsh State Nature Preserve= 2804 Cleveland Road West Huron, Ohio 44839 Sheldon Marsh State Nature Preserve webpage Sheldon Marsh State Nature Preserve (Coastal Access) webpage Sheldon Marsh State Nature Preserve birding map from Black Swamp Bird Observatory

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Sheldon Marsh State Nature Preserve
Coordinates: 41.4174633, -82.6037213 eBird links: Hotspot map View details Recent visits My eBird links: Location life list Submit data

Tips for birding Sheldon Marsh State Nature Preserve
From Lake Erie Birding Trail website From Ohio Ornithological Society website

About Sheldon Marsh State Nature Preserve

 * Barrier beach and associated unusual plants
 * Excellent bird watching during spring and fall
 * Parking lot
 * 1-mile paved trail
 * Accessible by wheelchair

Sheldon Marsh State Nature Preserve is a barrier beach and associated unusual plants which offers excellent bird watching during spring and fall.

Sheldon Marsh State Nature Preserve and contiguous wetlands comprise some of the last remaining undeveloped stretches of shoreline in the Sandusky Bay region. As Ohio's once expansive coastal wetland habitat continues to disappear in the face of encroaching development, the importance of Sheldon Marsh increases immensely. Preservation of habitat is seen as the key to the survival of wild plant and animal communities, and this preserve contains many types of habitats such as old field, hardwood forest, woodland swamp, cattail marsh, barrier sand beach, and open water-lake. All are relics of the lake-marsh-forest ecosystem which originally encompassed thousands of acres along Lake Erie's western basin.

This preserve is known to attract nearly 300 bird species and provides habitat for many kinds of wildflowers. Spring is one of the best times to visit the marsh. From the middle of April into June, the woodland floor is covered with blooming wildflowers. Dutchman's breeches, cut-leaved toothwort, and spring beauties are followed by trout lilies, trilliums, wild ginger and wild geraniums.

Spring migration brings a variety of neotropical and shorebirds to Sheldon Marsh. Before crossing Lake Erie these birds stop briefly to rest and feed in the lush vegetation of the forest. Along the barrier sand beach, numerous shorebirds are frequently seen searching for food at the water's edge. Summer residents include great blue herons, red-tailed hawks, black-crowned night-herons, wood ducks, common terns, woodcocks, great horned owls, and numerous songbirds.

Perhaps the most spectacular summer event is the blooming of the cardinal flower in the woodland swamp. Often described as America's most beautiful wildflower, its tall and brilliant red spikes are a magnificent sight. From Sheldon Marsh State Nature Preserve webpage





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media type="custom" key="27747463" || L275453 US US-OH US-OH-043 41.4174633 -82.6037213 Sheldon Marsh State Nature Preserve