Fall Birding and Herping Field Trip

Location: Spring Valley Wildlife Area/Caesar Creek State Park

Date: Sunday, September 22, 2024

Meet: At 8:00 A.M. in the swimming beach Parking Lot at Caesar Creek State Park. See directions below.

Leader: Ryan Jorgensen, (630) 333-2631, jorgensen28ryan@gmail.com

This trip will focus on the fall migration of birds as it is scheduled during the middle of September which represents the peak of fall migration for songbirds, shorebirds and many other species of birds. But the trip will equally focus on finding and identifying reptiles and amphibians, or “herps” as many naturalists refer to them (from herpetology). This group of animals includes snakes, turtles, lizards (reptiles) and frogs, toads and salamanders (amphibians). Our chances of success are very good because our field trip leader, Ryan Jorgensen, is not just a skilled birder but is an expert herpetologist and naturalist as well. Ryan is also a board member of our Audubon Society. He has a Master’s degree in Biological Science at UC where he specialized in herpetology. His research is on snakes and particularly their muscular activity during locomotion. Ryan is also an avid and skilled birder and will help us find and identify what should be a great diversity of species.

Many of us know SVWA as a great birding area but the varied habitats found in this 842 acre wildlife area are also perfect for reptiles and amphibians. The shallow lake with dense emergent vegetation, the extensive marsh, the shallow Little Miami River, the wooded riparian bottoms and hardwood hillsides and dense brushy edges offer excellent bird habitat, but it is also a perfect habitat for a diversity of herp species. After cool night temperatures, these cold-blooded creatures become active as the day warms up, seeking places to sun and bask, making them much easier to find and see.

Ryan plans to walk the loop trail investigating and probing all the hidden spots where our subjects may be hiding or basking. While there are never any guarantees, Ryan knows how to find herps, so expectations are high. Ryan will most likely spot several species of herps and he may catch a few to boot. SVWA is also famous as one of the few places in Ohio that the eastern massasauga rattlesnake is found, although it is in serious decline here and throughout the Midwest.

The date of this trip is set right in the middle of fall migration and a diverse group of birds should also be found. We expect to find migrant songbirds (including many warblers), shorebirds on the mudflats, early season waterfowl, other water and marsh birds, Bald Eagle, Osprey and other raptors. A pair of Sandhill Cranes nested here this summer and had two offspring, all four of which are often seen at the edge of the marsh.

This trip will consist totally of walking the loop trail around the marsh which is a little over two miles long. But walking will be leisurely and over flat terrain with lots of stops to view wildlife. Parts of the trails may be damp or wet, so waterproof footwear is advised. Binoculars are necessary to see birds well and are also highly advised. To make your trip more comfortable we suggest bringing water. There are no restrooms available at SVWA, but there is plenty of privacy in the woods. Restrooms are available at Caesar Creek SP where we will meet. This trip is expected to last at least until noon. Come on out and join Ryan for what should prove to be a unique field trip on what will likely be a beautiful autumnal day. If you have any questions feel free to contact Ryan.

Directions: To get to Caesar Creek State Park from Cincinnati, take I-71 north from its intersection with I-275 and drive about 34 miles north to SR 73 (exit # 45). Turn left/west onto SR 73 and go about 5.4 miles to the Caesar Creek SP entrance. Turn right into the Park and follow signs to the swimming beach. Look for our leader Ryan parked near the north end of the beach. It is a large parking lot but Ryan should be easy to spot at this time of day. Ryan will caravan us over to nearby Spring Valley WA from there.

The ODNR Spring Valley WA website (includes a map)

https://ohiodnr.gov/go-and-do/plan-a-visit/find-a-property/spring-valley-wildlife-area

SVWA Map:

https://ohiodnr.gov/static/documents/wildlife/wildlife-area-maps/springvalley.pdf

Caesar Creek State Park:

https://ohiodnr.gov/go-and-do/plan-a-visit/find-a-property/caesar-creek-state-park

(Contributed by Jay Stenger)