Spring Migration at Shawnee Lookout and Lost Bridge

Theme: Spring Migration

Location: Shawnee Lookout Park and Lost Bridge

Date: Saturday, April 13, 2024, 8:00 AM

Meet: at the upper Boat Ramp parking lot across from the main entrance to Shawnee Lookout Park

Leader: Ann Oliver, (513) 307-0929, annieobirder@yahoo.com

 By the middle of April spring will be in full swing and this winter’s weather forgotten. Spring migration in general will be near peak and a diversity of avian species should be found in the Lower Great Miami River Valley at this season. In addition, many woodland plants and wildflowers will be in bud and bloom, adding their beauty to the natural scene. Ann Oliver, our trip leader, is an extremely skilled birder and conservationist who has birded our area for many years. Ann is a long-time Audubon Society advocate and current board member. In addition to her local birding knowledge, Ann has birded all across the United States and the world in search of birds. Ann is also very familiar with Shawnee Lookout and her experience will certainly come in handy as birds should be abundant and vocal on this date.

The month of April coincides with the spring migration of a diverse number of families of birds. Ducks, herons and egrets, shorebirds, terns & gulls, raptors (including Bald Eagles) and migrant & returning summer songbirds (including several warbler species) are all expected on this date. Ann’s plan is to first focus on spring migrant songbirds and other woodland species at Shawnee Lookout Park. Towards the end of the morning, Ann plans to make a stop at Lost Bridge and the adjacent ponds to look for water birds. Depending on time and current reports, Ann might visit another nearby spot.

We encourage you to come out with Ann and witness the great diversity of spring migration on what should be a beautiful spring morning in the Shawnee Lookout area. Most of this trip will be on foot, but walking will be easy to moderate and at a birders pace.  As always, be prepared for muddy spots, especially if conditions have been wet. It goes without saying that binoculars are necessary for seeing birds well. This field trip will end sometime around noon. Restrooms are available at Shawnee Lookout. Feel free to contact Ann if you have any questions.

*Note: A Great Parks motor vehicle permit is required at Shawnee Lookout. Permits are $10 annual or $5 daily for residents of Hamilton County and $16 annual or $8 daily for non-residents

Directions to Shawnee Lookout Park:

Shawnee Lookout is located at 2008 Lawrenceburg Road, North Bend Ohio 45052. To get there from I-275, take the Kilby Road Exit # 21. Turn right onto Kilby Rd and go the short distance to the light at US 50 and turn right. Go about 1.7 miles to Lawrenceburg Road and turn left at the light. Follow Lawrenceburg Road across the bridge (Lost Bridge) over the Great Miami River. Turn right at the stop sign and go about 1.5 miles to the Upper Boat Ramp Parking Lot on the right, directly across the street from the Shawnee Lookout Park entrance.

Shawnee Lookout Website:

https://www.greatparks.org/parks/shawnee-lookout

(Contributed by Jay Stenger)