Clermont+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=

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

@Kelley Nature Preserve
297 Center Street (OH-126) Loveland, Ohio 45140

From the I-71 and I-275 intersection, drive southeast on I-275 for 4.6 miles. Take Exit 54 for Wards Corner Road. Turn right onto Wards Corner Road and go 1.4 miles. Turn right onto OH-126 west and drive .4 mile. Arrive at Kelley Nature Preserve on the left.

Given to the Park District by Virginia Kelley as a memorial to her husband, Walter A. Kelley, the 42-acre nature preserve is located along the scenic Little Miami River. Over one mile of hiking trails is present. From Kelley Nature Preserve webpage
 * Canoe access to the Little Miami River
 * Over one mile of hiking trails
 * Scenic river view
 * Meadow with excellent display of summer wildflowers

@Valley View Preserve
5330 South Milford Road Milford, Ohio 45150

From Kelley Nature Preserve, drive east on OH-126 for .6 mile. Turn right onto OH-126 and drive 3.2 miles. Turn left onto Water Street for .1 mile. Continue straight onto Mill Street for .2 mile. Turn right onto Cleveland Avenue and go .4 mile. Continue straight onto South Milford Road for .6 mile. Turn left into the Valley View Preserve parking lot.

Valley View is a 130-acre nature preserve and education facility located near the confluence of the East Fork and Little Miami Rivers in Milford, Clermont County, Ohio. Valley View Foundation is a tax-exempt nonprofit corporation. It was formed in 2002 by residents of Milford and others who were interested in preserving a historic farm and ecosystem for current and future generations to enjoy and learn from. The property is open to the public at no charge and includes miles of walking trails. From Valley View Preserve webpage

Cincinnati Nature Center--Rowe Woods
Milford, Ohio 45150

From Valley View Preserve, drive southwest on South Milford Road for .4 mile. Turn left onto Round Bottom Road and drive 3.1. miles. Turn right onto Tealtown Road and go .7 mile. Turn right into the Cincinnati Nature Center and parking for Rowe Woods.

Located in the Eastgate area, just east of Milford, Rowe Woods consists of 1,025 acres of fields, forest, ponds, and streams. This original Cincinnati Nature Center site boasts more than 16 miles of hiking trails for visitors to explore and enjoy. Educational programs for people of all ages take place in our outdoor classroom, teaching the interdependence and diversity of the natural environment. Visitors can easily spend an hour, a day or all four seasons exploring what Rowe Woods has to offer.

Members free with membership card. Non-member admission fees vary, From Rowe Woods webpage

@Crooked Run Nature Preserve
521 County Park Road Chilo, Ohio 45112

From Rowe Woods, turn right onto Tealtown Road and drive 2.9 miles. Turn right onto Cincinnati Batavia Pike for .3 mile. Turn left onto Glen Este Withamsville Road for .4 mile. Turn right onto OH-32 and drive 1.2 miles. Merge onto I-275 south and drive 2.5 miles. Take Exit 65 for OH-125. Turn left onto OH-125 and go .3 mile. Turn right onto 9 Mile Road and go .3 mile. Turn left onto US-52 and drive 20.9 miles. Turn right onto County Park Road and arrive at Crooked Run Nature Preserve.

There are tips for birding Crooked Run Nature Preserve From Ohio Ornithological Society.

Located adjacent to Chilo Lock 34 Park, Crooked Run is owned by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Natural Areas and Preserves. The preserve is managed by the Clermont County Park District through a lease agreement. Its location along the Ohio River provides several scenic views and is an excellent location for birdwatching and nature enthusiasts. Over 180 species of birds have been observed in the preserve.

Access the Nature Preserve on foot from the parking area in Chilo Lock 34 Park. From Crooked Run Nature Preserve webpage

@East Fork State Park
2837 Old OH-32 Batavia, Ohio 45103

From Crooked Run Nature Preserve, turn left onto US-52 west for .3 mile. Turn right onto OH-222 and follow OH-222 for 18.1 miles. Continue straight onto Old OH-125 for .2 mile. Turn left onto Elklick Road and go .9 mile. Turn left onto Park Road 2 and go .6 mile. Arrive at the parking for South Beach.

East Fork State Park has many eBird hotspots to explore. Over 250 bird species have been reported throughout the park. The directions above take you to South Beach. Other hotspots to consider are South Side, Williamsburg Wetland, Bantam Road, and Bethel Concord Road. You could easily spend a whole day birding here and may want to return in several different seasons.

Clermont County's rolling hills and meandering river valleys provide a colorful backdrop for spacious East Fork State Park. Shaped by the forces of the Illinoian and Wisconsinan glaciers, the East Fork region is characterized by beautiful hill country scenery and is noted for the occurrence of remnant prairie habitats. Illinoian glacial deposits are not common in Ohio but can be observed at East Fork and the surrounding area.

East Fork's diverse landscape includes dry-forested hills, rocky cascades, abandoned farmlands, thickly grown floodplains, marshy grasslands and swamp forests. This diversity lends well to an abundance of plant and animal life. Woodlands are composed of beech, sugar maple, red and white oak, shagbark hickory, and wild black cherry. The swamp forests contain silver maple, American elm, sycamore, and black gum. The meadows and remnant prairies contain big bluestem grass and purple coneflower among others.

Animals of the area include eastern plains garter snake, fence lizard, red fox, deer, raccoon, Canada geese, song sparrow, eastern meadowlark, and the barn swallow. From East Fork State Park website

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