Otto Armleder Memorial Park – Spring Migration

Theme:  Spring Migration

Location: Otto Armleder Memorial Park

Date: Saturday, April 22, 2023

Meet: At 8:00 AM in the Main Pavilion Parking Lot at Armleder Park (See directions below)

Leader: Luke Thies, (937) 733-9325, thiesluke997@gmail.com

Otto Armleder Park is a joint venture between the Cincinnati Park Board and the Great Parks of Hamilton County. The 305 acre park has developed an excellent birding reputation, mostly due to its, at least locally, unique habitats. The park lies in a flood plain along the west bank of the Little Miami River, about a mile north of its confluence with the Ohio River. Duck Creek runs along the southern boundary. Because of this, all sorts of water birds are regularly seen. The park is prone to flooding, which can be good for water birds but difficult to access at those times. Sandbars in the Little Miami often produce shorebirds. The lengthy wooded riparian corridor is very attractive to songbirds. The park also has some weedy fields and grassland, an uncommon habitat in the Greater Cincinnati area. This in turn attracts many open country and grassland species. Brushy successional areas, woodland edges, large athletic fields and abandoned gravel pits, at least one which is permanently filled with water, round out the habitats. All of this attracts a great diversity of species throughout the various seasons. Many trails meander through the park.

While we are still a week or two from the peak of songbird migration on this date, plenty of species will be on the move, so we expect to find a diverse number of birds. Songbirds, including several species of warblers, should abound. Our trip leader, Luke Thies, is a skilled birder and naturalist and will help us identify all we hear and see. Luke works for Great Parks and is also a board member of our Audubon Society. With Luke leading the way we can expect a successful trip. So come out with us and join Luke on what should be a pleasant morning trip to this interesting and unique park.

Virtually all of this trip will be on foot, but walking will be easy to moderate and at a birder’s pace.  As always, be prepared for muddy spots, especially if conditions have been wet. For your comfort you may want to consider bringing water, sun screen and insect repellent. It goes without saying that binoculars are necessary for seeing birds well. This field trip will end sometime around noon. Restrooms are available at Armleder. Feel free to contact Luke if you have any questions.

Directions:

Otto Armleder Park is located at 5057 Wooster Pike, Cincinnati, OH 45226. It is located directly north of Lunken Airport and Beechmont Avenue, but can only be accessed from Wooster Pike. You can access Wooster Pike and Armleder Park from Columbia Parkway (US 50), and Red Bank Road from the north or Beechmont Avenue (Rt. 125) or Wilmer Avenue from the south. From Wooster Pike, turn into Otto Armleder Park and follow the Park road straight to the stop sign at the T intersection. Then go straight ahead, into the main Pavilion Parking lot where we will meet.

Otto Armleder Website (Includes Google Directions & Park Map)

https://www.greatparks.org/parks/otto-armleder-memorial-park-recreation-complex