Late Fall Migration and Nature Walk at East Fork

Late Fall Migration and Nature Walk

Location: East Fork State Park

Date: Saturday, October 28, 2023

Meet: 8:00 A.M. at the East Fork State Parks south Swimming Beach parking lot, nearest the Pavilion (see the directions below).

Leader: Bill Stanley, (513) 324-2796, tyrannus58@gmail.com

Join our trip leader Bill Stanley for what should be a great day of birding at East Fork State Park during a beautiful time of the year. Bill is an expert birder and skilled naturalist and a long time ASO advocate.  October is a beautiful month and autumn color should be near peak on this date. October is also centered in the middle of fall migration and because of that it offers somewhat of a mixed bag of species. East Fork SP and Harsha Lake is an excellent spot to find this diversity of species.

While neo-tropic migration is generally over by this date, there still should be plenty of migrant songbirds around. Shorebird migration continues and the shoreline of the swimming beach has proven over the years tto attract many species, some quite rare. This is also true of gulls, terns, grebes, loons and a number of other species of water birds. Waterfowl migration will also be close to peak on this date. Raptors are on the move throughout the month and Bald Eagles should be expected. Even a few of our winter residents may be showing up by this date. And there is always a chance for a rarity, as East Fork has an excellent reputation in that regard, particularly in the fall.

Bill, who lives nearby, knows East Fork SP as well as anyone and plans to visit several different locations and habitats within the park. This will entail driving to a few different spots interspersed with a bit of walking in between. While we will walk a bit during the morning, it will be moderate and at a leisurely pace over mostly level trails and roadsides. Bill will probably stay at it until birding begins to tail off around noon. So come and join Bill on what should be a beautiful autumnal morning. Restrooms are available in the park. If you have any questions feel free to contact Bill.

Directions:

We will meet at the Parks south swimming beach parking lot, nearest to the Pavilion. To get to the East Fork SP  south entrance from I-275, take exit # 65, SR 125 (Beechmont Ave./Ohio Pike) and go east about 9 miles to the junction of Rt. 222. Turn left onto Old State Rte. 125 (opposite Rt. 222) and follow the signs to the Park entrance. Follow the Park Road (and signs) to the East Fork SP Swimming Beach. Meet in the Parking Lot nearest the Pavilion.

Visit the East Fork State Park website for a Park map and other info at:

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

(Contributed by Jay Stenger)