Theme: Wetland Breeding Birds & Summer Residents – Field Trip

Theme: Wetland Breeding Birds & Summer Residents
Date & Time: Saturday, June 20, 2026, 8:00 AM
Location: Gilmore Ponds Preserve
Meet: We will meet in the Gilmore Ponds south parking lot located at the intersection of Symmes Rd and Bilstein Blvd. (See directions below)
Leader: Mike Busam (513) 259-3262, mbusam@gmail.com

Gilmore Ponds is steeped in local birding history and at times can be among the most productive birding sites in our region. The Audubon Society has named it an “Important Bird Area”. Gilmore Ponds is a roughly 270 acre seasonal wetland located in south central Butler County with considerable adjacent privately owned acreage. Gilmore can be very wet or fairly dry from year to year, or season-to-season, depending on the amount of rainfall the area receives. When it is wet, it can teem with water related species. This season has been wet so far so we can expect a diversity of species on this trip.

At one time Gilmore Ponds was privately owned. During the 1980’s the Gilmore Ponds Conservancy, a citizen’s conservation group, was formed to protect the area from development. The Conservancy had some success, acquired some land and got the attention of the Butler County Park District, who eventually took control and now owns the property. Today Gilmore Ponds faces a new set of threats, but for the time being, it is still a wonderful birding site.

Mike Busam, our trip leader, is an expert birder, an all-around naturalist and a long-time Audubon Society advocate. Mike is also a past President and founder of the Gilmore Ponds Conservancy, and remains a vigilant protector and advocate of this area. Mike knows as much, or more, about Gilmore Ponds, past and present than anyone. With Mike’s help we can expect to find a great diversity of species on our walk. Mike will also bring our attention to the diverse flora and other fauna of this wonderful wetland.

Over the past few years Great Blue Heron, Green Heron and Black-crowned Night-Heron colonies have been joined by nesting Great Egrets and Double-crested Cormorants. A Neotropic Cormorant (very rare) is present here and hangs around the cormorant colony, but there has been no proof of nesting activity to date. Most recently, and perhaps most interestingly, Yellow-crowned Night-Herons, which are considered very rare breeding birds in Ohio, have successfully nested here over the past several years and are again present.

Many marsh species which normally breed only in the northern half of the state, have been recorded breeding here over the years during wet springs and summers. The wetlands may hold a few late migrant shorebirds as well as American Coots, Common Gallinule, Sora (rails), Least and American Bitterns, Pied-billed Grebes, Wood Ducks, Hooded Mergansers and Blue-winged Teal. There are breeding records for all of these species from Gilmore Ponds. By this date spring migration will be over and the breeding season will be in full swing. Many songbirds also breed here in large numbers. Prothonotary Warblers and Willow Flycatchers are common. Bell’s Vireo, a rare nester in Ohio, is a regular summer nester. Red-headed Woodpeckers are summer residents as well.

Mike’s plan is to follow the trails throughout the preserve. This entire trip will be on foot, but it will consist of flat terrain and walked at a leisurely birders pace. To make your walk more comfortable we recommend waterproof footwear, wear a hat and to bring water and insect repellant. The only restrooms available at Gilmore Ponds are a couple of Porta Potties. This is scheduled as a half-day trip and will end around noon. Butler County Parks requires non-residents to purchase a Motor Vehicle Permit. They can be purchased from Park Rangers if you see one. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Mike.

Location: Gilmore Ponds is located in Fairfield in south central Butler County.  Gilmore Ponds proper is bounded on the south by Symmes Road, on the east by the Route 4 Bypass, on the west by North Gilmore Road and on the north by the Butler County Regional Airport. There is a parking lot on Symmes Road at the intersection of Bilstein Blvd. and another parking lot on N. Gilmore Rd. just south of the RR tracks. We will meet in the Symmes Rd/Bilstein Blvd Parking Lot.

There are several ways to get to Gilmore Ponds. Two ways are described below.

Directions 1: To reach Gilmore Ponds from I-275, take the Route 4 exit # 41 and go north on Rt. 4 for about 2.5 miles. Turn right onto the Route 4 Bypass and go about 1.5 miles to Symmes Road. Turn left onto Symmes and go about .5 mile and make a right turn into the Gilmore Ponds parking lot, located directly across from Bilstein Blvd.

Directions 2: You could also take the I-275 Winton Rd exit # 39 and go north on Winton Rd. Be aware that Winton Rd. changes its name to South Gilmore Road in Butler County. Continue north on S. Gilmore Rd to the intersection/stop light at Rt. 4. Cross Rt. 4 and go straight. This road becomes Bilstein Blvd. Continue on Bilstein Blvd to the T intersection with Symmes Road. Go straight through the stoplight and into the Symmes Road Parking Lot.

For preserve information, directions and a trail map visit the Butler County Gilmore Ponds web page link below
https://www.yourmetroparks.net/parks/gilmore-metropark
(Contributed by Jay Stenger)