Irwin+Prairie+State+Nature+Preserve

Also, see Oak Openings, Oak Openings Important Bird Area, and Oak Openings Birding Drive
 * =Birding in Ohio=

Lucas County
=Irwin Prairie State Nature Preserve= 9987 West Bancroft Holland, Ohio 43528 Irwin Prairie State Nature Preserve webpage Irwin Prairie State Nature Preserve trail map

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Irwin Prairie State Nature Preserve
Coordinates: 41.65777, -83.782 eBird links: Hotspot map View details Recent visits My eBird links: Location life list Submit data

Tips for birding Irwin Prairie
From Lake Erie Birding Trail website From Ohio Ornithological Society website

About Irwin Prairie

 * Wet prairie dominated by sedges and rushes
 * Habitat for migrating songbirds and waterfowl

A wet prairie dominated by sedges and rushes, habitat for migrating songbirds and waterfowl. The core of this preserve is a treeless, wet sedge meadow dominated by several species of sedges, rushes, and wetland grasses. It is the finest remaining sedge meadow in the state. The preserve is actually comprised of a mosaic of distinctive plant communities based on variations in water table levels.

Tall grass wet prairie communities dominated by big bluestem and spiked blazing-star; sedge meadow dominated by twig-rush; shrub swamp dominated by shrubby species of dogwoods and willows; grass meadow dominated by blue-joint grass and northern reed-grass; and swamp forest dominated by pin oak and cottonwood, are all represented.

More than 26 state-listed species of plants occur here including red baneberry, Sartwell's sedge, fringed gentian, Kalm's St. Johns wort, Riddell's goldenrod and grass-leaf arrowhead. Rare animals sighted at Irwin Prairie include sedge wrens, Bell's vireo, least bittern, golden-winged warbler, spotted and blandings turtles, and the purplish copper butterfly.

The preserve has a handicapped accessible boardwalk which provides access through Irwin Prairie. The boardwalk is a 1.25-mile loop trail beginning at the parking lot. This boardwalk does not have kick rails for wheelchairs. We suggest that wheelchair users have assistance when using this trail system.

The best time to visit Irwin Prairie is during July and August to view the summer wildflowers. The wet prairie plant community in the region has been severely impacted by the draining of wetlands. Even though the prairie grows in a state nature preserve, its future remains uncertain.

Located in Lucas County about 10 miles west of Toledo. From I-475/US-23, follow US-20 west approximately 3 miles to Centennial Road; south about 1 mile to Bancroft Street; and then west on Bancroft street to the preserve entrance. Parking lot and trail system present. From Irwin Prairie State Nature Preserve webpage

Photo by Ken Ostermiller



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View Map in a new window || L608175 US US-OH US-OH-095 41.65777 -83.782 Irwin Prairie State Nature Preserve