Early Fall Migrant Shorebirds & Waders – Oxbow, Inc. Trip

Early Fall Migrant Shorebirds & Waders

Friday Evening, August 19, 2022, *6:00 PM

Meet in the upper Oxbow parking lot at the main entrance to the Oxbow.

Co-Leader: Jack Stenger, (513) 503-3389, jackstenger@gmail.com

Co-Leader: Jay Stenger, (513) 522-8147, jaystenger1@gmail.com

*Note that this is an evening field trip.

Several years ago, in an attempt to beat the heat of the August “dog days”, we began scheduling our August field trips in the evening. For several reasons this trip has become quite popular. The focus of this trip will be birds, specifically early fall migrants through the Oxbow. That’s right, I did say fall. While the calendar and temperature tells us it is still late summer, the southbound fall migration of shorebirds (sandpipers & plovers), long-legged waders (herons & egrets) and several other species begins quite early and will be well under way by this date. So come out and join our trip leaders, son and father team Jack Stenger and Jay Stenger, for what should be a pleasant summer evening in the Oxbow area. Jack and Jay are long-time advocates of Oxbow Inc. and both are current board members. I should also mention that these two guys are skilled and expert birders who know the Oxbow area inside and out.

Shorebirds (sandpipers and plovers) need exposed mudflats and shorelines where they forage for their invertebrate food. During most years the Oxbow area provides good to great habitat for them. The nearby Great Miami River usually has exposed sand bars at this season as well. In addition to several species of shorebirds, we expect that we will find numerous Great Egrets and other herons including Great Blue, Green and Black-crowned Night-Herons. This is also a great time of year to find an unusual or rare species such as Little Blue Heron and Snowy Egret (but not guaranteed). Purple Martins and other migrating swallows “stage” in large numbers in the Oxbow during this month and terns, Osprey, Bald Eagle (year round) and other early migrants are possible. With most of our summer residents still present as well, we should find a good diversity throughout the evening.

Jack and Jay plan to first take a good look in the Oxbow and then wrap up the evening at Lost Bridge over the Great Miami River. The trip will end around dusk (9:00 PM?). It will likely be hot at this season, even at this time of day, so we suggest bringing sunscreen, insect repellant and water to make your visit more comfortable. Feel free to contact Jack or Jay if you have any questions.

Unless otherwise indicated, all trips start at the upper Oxbow parking lot. To reach the upper Oxbow parking area, go south on US Hwy 50 from the I-275 #16 exit. In about 200 yards, turn left (east) at the edge of the Circle K (between the Circle K and Waffle House) and go over the levee to where the road T’s with a fence directly in front of you. Turn right and go to the Oxbow entrance sign. Turn left into the Oxbow. The upper parking area is immediately on the right.  You can also use Google Maps and search for “Oxbow Nature Conservancy”.