Breeding Birds in Riparian & Mature Forests – Field Trip

Theme: Breeding Birds in Riparian & Mature Forests
Date: Saturday, June 13, 2026
Location: Boone County Cliffs Area & Middle Creek Park & Road, Boone County, Kentucky
Meeting Time & Place: At 7:30 AM in the Middle Creek Park Parking Lot, Boone County, Kentucky. (See directions below).
Leader:  Ryan Jorgensen, (630) 333-2631, jorgensen28ryan@gmail.com

Middle Creek Park, a 230 acre Boone County Park, Dinsmore Woods, a 107 acre Preserve and the Boone County Cliffs Preserve (a Nature Conservancy property) are all nestled in the wooded hills of western Boone County, Kentucky. The picturesque Middle Creek and Middle Creek Road run between these three locations and comprise one of the most beautiful riparian corridors in our region. Join our trip leader Ryan Jorgensen as he explores this fascinating area on what should be a pleasant morning walk in early summer. Ryan is a skilled birder and naturalist and an expert level herpetologist and current ASO board member.

Spring migration will be over by this date, but at least 13 species of warblers and many other birds breed along Middle Creek and in the forested hillsides of this beautiful area. The birding in this area can be phenomenal. The whole region is forested and contains some old-growth forest habitat reliable for breeding Worm-eating Warblers which are generally rare in most of our region. Other breeding forest birds are also expected, including Broad-winged Hawk, Cerulean, Hooded and Kentucky Warblers, Ovenbird, Louisiana Waterthrush and both Scarlet & Summer Tanagers. Middle Creek, which flows through the area, is loaded with Northern Parula’s, Yellow-throated Warblers and numerous other breeding birds. Prairie Warblers & Yellow-breasted Chats are common in adjacent successional areas.

Ryan plans to begin the trip at Middle Creek Park and Dinsmore Woods Nature Preserve and spend some time walking and birding along the trails in these adjacent and wonderful parks. He may then make a few driving stops along picturesque Middle Creek Road if time permits. Middle Creek Road is an excellent birding spot, but it is narrow and has limited space to pull off. Nonetheless we should be able to walk a good bit of this lovely secluded and little used road. We will finish this section of the trip near the “closed” Boone County Cliffs Preserve. There is a possibility that Ryan may get permission to visit this preserve.

The end of this trip may include a mile or so drive further out KY 18 to Belleview’s Conservancy Park, a mix of forty-five acres of prairie, woodland, lake and hillsides on a reclaimed gravel pit. Yellow-breasted Chats, Orchard Orioles and abundant butterflies can be found here. Blue Grosbeaks can also be found in several places in the area.

This trip will end around noon and will consist mostly of moderate to steep walking along the trails at Middle Creek Park and Boone County Cliffs. Also note that there are no restrooms in any of these places, but a port-o-let is usually available at Middle Creek Park. Comfortable sturdy shoes, water, sun screen and insect repellent will all make your trip more enjoyable. Contact Ryan if you have any questions.

Directions to Middle Creek Park:
From I-75: Take Kentucky 18, exit # 18, at Florence and go west. When you reach Burlington, KY, continue for 6.5 miles to the Middle Creek Park entrance, which will be on your left (south side of KY 18). The entrance and parking lot are just a short distance past Middle Creek Rd.

From the west: Take I-275 south and cross the Ohio River. After crossing the river take the first exit, which is KY 8, exit # 11. Turn right (west) onto KY 8, which immediately becomes KY 20 after a short distance. Continue west and then south on KY 20 for about 12 miles. At the intersection with KY 18, turn left or east onto KY 18 and go about 1 mile. The entrance to Middle Creek Park will be on your right (south side of KY 18). Middle Creek Rd. is just a short distance ahead.

For directions, a map and information about Middle Creek Park and Dinsmore Woods Nature Preserve (Boone County KY Parks) go to the following webpages:
https://www.boonecountyky.org/departments/parks/middle_creek_park.php
https://www.boonecountyky.org/departments/parks/dinsmore_woods.php

For further info on the Nature Conservancy’s Boone County Cliffs go to the following webpage:
https://www.boonecountyky.org/departments/parks/boone_cliffs.php
(Contributed by Jay Stenger)