Caesar+Creek+State+Park+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=

Warren County
=Caesar Creek State Park Birding Drive= Waynesville, Ohio 45068 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 some of the eBird hotspots in Caesar Creek State Park. There are a number of additional hotspots in the park which may be visited if time permits.

There are tips for birding Caesar Creek State Park From Ohio Ornithological Society and From NuttyBirder.

Caesar Creek State Park--Gorge Loop Trail
From I-71, take exit 36 for Wilmington Road. Go east on Wilmington Road for .5 miles. Turn left onto Olive Branch Road and drive 1.6 miles. Continue straight onto Murray Road and go .6 miles. Turn right onto Oregonia Road and drive 1.5 miles. Turn left onto North Clarksville Road and drive 1.5 miles. Turn left onto Caesar Creek Gorge Access Road. Arrive at Gorge Loop Trail parking in .9 miles.

The Caesar Creek State Park area sits astride the crest of the Cincinnati Arch, a convex tilting of bedrock layers caused by an ancient upheaval. Younger rocks lie both east and west of this crest where some of the oldest rocks in Ohio are exposed. The sedimentary limestones and shales tell of a sea hundreds of millions of years in our past which once covered the state. The park's excellent fossil finds give testimony to the life of this long vanished body of water.

The forests of the area are comprised of over 65 species of plants. Several major communities thrive in the area. A northern floodplain forest is found in the valley, while mixed associations of oak-hickory and beech-maple woodlands clothe the ridges and hillsides. Red-tail hawk, white-tail deer, raccoon, red fox and box turtle make the park their home. From Caesar Creek State Park website

The Gorge Trail attracts migrants during the spring and fall migrations but is good habitat for birding year round. The number of species reported here should grow as more checklists are submitted throughout the year.

Caesar Creek State Park--Visitor Center
From the Gorge Trail Access Road, turn left onto North Clarksville Road. In 1 mile turn right into the Visitor Center.

There is a list of birds seen recently at the Visitors Center where a checklist of the Birds of Caesar Creek is also available. During winter months the feeders at the Visitors Center can be good for Purple Finches and Pine Siskins.

The Visitor’s Center has flush toilets available when the Center is open.

Caesar Creek State Park--Beach Area
From the Visitor Center, turn right onto North Clarksville Road and drive 2.3 miles. Turn right onto OH-73 east and go 2.3 miles. Turn left into the beach access and drive .7 miles to the beach area.

The public beach can be good for gulls, terns, and shorebirds, especially early in the morning. Scan the beach carefully during the fall and spring. During the fall migration, the lake can attract migrating gulls, including occasional Franklin's Gulls. Both Bald Eagles and Osprey are often seen fishing in the lake.

Caesar Creek State Park--Harveysburg Road
From the beach area, return to OH-73 and turn left. Drive 2.2 miles and turn left onto Harveysburg Road. Drive 1.4 miles to the end of the road.

Merganser Bay at the end of Harveysburg Road is especially good for waterfowl. This is one of the best areas to scan for waterfowl during the late fall, winter, and early spring. You will need a spotting scope to get a good look at waterfowl from this location.

Caesar Creek State Park--Mound Road
Return on Harveysburg Road to OH-73. Turn left onto OH-73 east and drive .9 miles. Turn left onto Brimstone Road and follow Brimstone Road for 3.1 miles. Turn left onto OH-380 north and drive 3.4 miles.Turn left onto Mound Road. At the end of the road, go past the road closed sign to the next parking area.

When the water level is drawn down, this is the best area on the lake for shorebirds. There is also an Osprey nesting platform in the area.

Caesar Creek Lake Wildlife Area--Young Road
Return to OH-380 on Mount Road. Merge onto OH-380 north and drive 1.3 miles. Turn left onto Roxanna New Burlington Road and go 1.2 miles. Turn left onto Cornstalk Road and then continue onto Compton Road. Drive 1.3 miles and continue straight onto Young Road.

Young Road provides views of the lake. A scope is helpful.

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