Shorebirds & Early Fall Migration

Theme: Shorebirds & Early Fall Migration 

Saturday, August 17, 2024, 8:00 am

Meet in the upper Oxbow parking lot at the main entrance of the Oxbow (see directions below)

Leader: Dave Helm, (513) 403-4519, helmmd@icloud.com 

The focus of this trip will be birds, specifically early fall migrants. That’s right, I did say fall. While the calendar and temperature tells us it is still late summer, the southbound fall migration of shorebirds (sandpipers & plovers), long-legged waders (herons & egrets) and several other species begins quite early and will be well under way by this date. So come out and join our trip leader, Dave Helm, as we search for a number of species, especially shorebirds, at a few different locations in the Oxbow area. Dave is an exceptional all around naturalist and expert level birder. Dave is also a current board member of our Audubon Society and has led 100’s of field trips for many conservation groups over the years. Dave knows the Oxbow area extremely well and his great knowledge of birds, plants, butterflies and other wildlife comes in very handy on any field trip.

Shorebirds (sandpipers and plovers) and waders (herons and egrets) need exposed mudflats, shorelines and sandbars where they forage for food at water’s edge. When they find these suitable conditions during their southbound migration they will stop to rest and refuel so to speak. Good migratory shorebird habitat in our region is generally scarce and can vary from year to year depending on water levels and other factors. To improve our chances of finding these interesting species on this trip, we will spend some time at a couple of different locations in the Oxbow area. Locally, late summer is usually a fairly dry season, which results in lower water levels, which in turn provides the habitat that shorebirds and long-legged waders prefer. These seasonally exposed shorelines and shallow edges of wetlands and ponds, and the exposed sandbars found in the Oxbow and along the Great Miami River, can provide favorable habitat for all of these species.

Dave’s plan will be fluid as conditions can change rapidly in this area, particularly water levels. Dave will plan this trips exact route closer to the day of the trip. But he will certainly take a good look at Oxbow Lake and the adjacent habitats as well as the Lost Bridge area along the Great Miami River and nearby mudflats.

In addition to several species of shorebirds, we expect that we will find numerous Great Egrets and Great Blue Herons and a few Green Herons. Black-crowned Night-Herons are also possible. This is also a great time of year to find an unusual or rare species such as Little Blue Heron and Snowy Egret. Other species such as early dabbling ducks (teal, shovelers etc.), Caspian Terns, Osprey and Bald Eagles are all likely to be seen as well. The wooded riparian corridor and open fields of the Oxbow should attract numbers of early migrant and resident songbirds including numerous swallows. It should be a fun trip and we will likely find a good diversity of birds. While birds will be our main focus, we should see lots of other wildlife and interesting plants.  

There will be some driving from one spot to another and some moderate walking during this trip, but it will be slow and easy. This trip should end by noon or a little after. It is usually hot at this season, so we suggest bringing sunscreen, insect repellant, plenty of water and a hat to make your trip more comfortable. There are no restrooms in the Oxbow but there are plenty of nearby businesses with restroom facilities. If you have any questions feel free to contact Dave.

Directions to the Oxbow main parking lot:

To get to the Oxbow from I-275, take the Lawrenceburg Indiana/US 50 Exit # 16. At the end of the long exit ramp turn left/south on US 50. Almost immediately, within about 200 yards, turn left onto unmarked Walnut Street which is just past the Circle K gas station and before a Waffle House. Drive over the levee to where the road T’s. There will be a fence directly in front of you. Turn right and go about 100 yards to the Oxbow entrance sign. Turn left into the Oxbow. The parking area is immediately on your right. You can also use Google Maps and search for “Oxbow Nature Conservancy”.

(Contributed by Jay Stenger)