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Breeding Birds and Nature at Indian Creek
June 22 @ 8:00 am - 12:00 pm
Theme: Breeding Birds & General Nature Walk
Location: Indian Creek State Wildlife Area
Date: Saturday, June 22, 2024
Meet: At 8:00 AM at the Marathon Gas & Food Mart in Fayetteville Ohio, located on the northwest corner of the US 50 & SR 68 intersections in Fayetteville. See directions below.
Leader: Bill Stanley, (513) 324-2796, tyrannus58@gmail.com
We have not visited this unique area for quite a while, but prior trips have always proved popular and successful. If you have never been to this location you are in for a surprise.
Located about 20 miles east of Milford and just south of US 50 the 1800 acre Indian Creek State Wildlife Area (SWA), is a little known but wonderful hidden gem that can teem with birds and other wildlife and provides excellent birding at any season. Woodlands, weedy and brushy fields, many marshy ponds, wooded riparian Indian Creek and a managed wetland create a multitude of habitats which in turn attract a diversity of birds and other species. This quiet and little visited area has miles of quiet gravel roads which makes for easy access and walking.
On this date breeding birds should be abundant. Many songbirds, raptors and wetland birds should be found. Some interesting species that are likely present include Northern Bobwhite, Red-headed Woodpecker, Bell’s Vireo, Blue Grosbeak, and several breeding warbler species including Kentucky, Blue-winged, Prairie, Northern Parula, Yellow-throated to name a few. Some species of butterflies, reptiles & amphibians and some mammals will likely be seen.
Our trip leader, Bill Stanley, is a very skilled and veteran birder and naturalist who knows this area very well. Bill is current board member of our Audubon Society and is involved in many natural history organizations in our area. We will meet Bill at the Fayetteville Marathon Station (see directions below) and caravan from there. Indian Creek is easily accessed off of US 50 and is only about a 3 minute drive from our meeting spot. Expect mostly walking on this trip, but the walking will be moderate over level ground and at a leisurely birders pace. Bill will probably occasionally drive from one stop to another.
Bill figures this trip will last no later than noon. It can be hot in June so you may want to bring water, sun screen, insect repellent and a hat to make your trip more comfortable. Bill will plan restroom stops along the way. There is a restroom at our meeting location and a few primitive facilities at Indian Creek. Feel free to contact Bill if you have any questions.
Directions to Marathon Gas & Food Mart in Fayetteville, Ohio:
From I-275 at the Milford Parkway/US 50 Exit # 59, take US 50 east for about 20 miles to the intersection of US 68 in Fayetteville, Ohio. The Marathon Station is located on the NW corner. Meet in the Parking Lot but park away from the front doors if possible.
Indian Creek SWA website:
https://ohiodnr.gov/go-and-do/plan-a-visit/find-a-property/indian-creek-wildlife-area
(Contributed by Jay Stenger)