Field Trip – Middle Creek Park

Theme: Breeding Birds in Riparian & Mature Forest

Location: Middle Creek Park, Boone County, Kentucky

Date: Sunday, May 28, 2023

Meeting Time & Place: At 8:00 AM in the Middle Creek Park Parking Lot, Boone County, Kentucky. (See directions below).

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

Middle Creek Park (a 230 acre Boone County Park) and the Boone County Cliffs Preserve (a Nature Conservancy property) are both nestled in the wooded hills of western Boone County, Kentucky. The picturesque Middle Creek runs between these two locations and comprise one of the most beautiful riparian corridors in our region. Join our trip leader, Ann Oliver, as she explores this fascinating area on what should be a pleasant morning walk. Spring migration will be tailing off on this date but the breeding season will be well under way. Ann is an experienced and highly skilled birder and long-time ASO advocate and current board member. Ann has led many field trips for ASO and other organizations, including several to this location, so she knows this area very well.

We may still find a few late spring migrants on this date, but at least 13 species of warblers and many other birds breed in the woodlands and forested hillsides of this beautiful area. The birding in this area can be phenomenal. The region is heavily forested and contains some old-growth forest habitat reliable for breeding Worm-eating Warblers which is 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.

Ann plans to begin the trip at Middle Creek Park and spend some time walking and birding along the trails in this wonderful park. Ann then plans to move us to some other spots, depending on what locations will be accessible at the time. Ann will likely end the trip at the nearby Conservancy Park which is located on KY 18 in the small village of Belleview. This small forty-five acre park provides a more open habitat and has a mix of prairie, woodland, a small pond 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 walking along the trails at Middle Creek Park, and in a few other areas. Also note that there are no restrooms in any of these places, but a port-o-let is usually available at Middle Creek Park. If nature calls you’ll have to drive back to civilization or find a quiet spot. Comfortable shoes, water, sun screen and insect repellent will all make your trip more enjoyable. Contact Ann if you have any questions.

Directions to Middle Creek Park:

From I-75: 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 is just a short distance past Middle Creek Rd.

Directions 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 (a Boone County KY Park) go to the following webpage’s:

https://cms7files.revize.com/boonecountyky/document_center/Parks/MiddleCreek.pdf

https://www.boonecountyky.org/departments/parks/middle_creek_park.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)