McCracken+Fen+State+Nature+Preserve

Also, see Logan County Birding Drive
 * =Birding in Ohio=

Logan County
=McCracken Fen State Nature Preserve= 4140 Township Road 32 South West Liberty, Ohio 43357 McCracken Fen State Nature Preserve webpage

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McCracken Fen State Nature Preserve
Coordinates: 40.3057187, -83.7853646 eBird links: Hotspot map View details Recent visits My eBird links: Location life list Submit data

About McCracken Fen State Nature Preserve

 * Glacial Kettle
 * Rare Plant Species
 * Unimproved trails on the east and north uplands of the preserve
 * Views of wetland basin

McCracken Fen is situated in the Farmersville moraine which contains several spring-fed glacial kettles. Up until the early 1980’s, the kettle at McCracken Fen contained unbroken deposits of peat covered by shrub fen. In the early 1980’s peat and marl deposits were mined, leaving several open water areas and deep troughs and ridges. In addition, large gravel piles were constructed to the east of the basin, creating an area where the mined peat could dry. Despite this disturbance, several areas of the original fen community were not mined, and additional rare species were released from the seed bank where mining occurred. At least 17 rare plant species have been documented here, including Smith’s bulrush (Schoenoplectus smithii), swamp birch (Betula pumila), and green spikerush (Eleocharis flavescnes). McCracken fen is also home to a population of the state endangered lilypad forktail damselfly (Ischnura kellicotti).

1.3 miles south of Bellefontaine on US-68; proceed 1.2 miles west on Township Highway 190 West which turns sharply left and becomes County Road 32 South, where a small pull-off is provided for parking. From McCracken Fen State Nature Preserve webpage



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media type="custom" key="29208459" || L2897394 US US-OH US-OH-091 40.3057187 -83.7853646 McCracken Fen State Nature Preserve