The Lake Erie Birding Trail, a series of 84 premier birding locations along Ohio’s north coast, was unveiled during the Midwest Birding Symposium in mid-September. This project was coordinated by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife.  A birding trail is a directory of the most productive and accessible birdwatching sites in an area with the goal of bringing people to the birds. The Lake Erie Birding Trail closely follows the Lake Erie Coastal Ohio Trail, part of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s America’s Byways program, and covers Ohio’s entire 312-mile coastline.

The 84 trail sites represent over 30 federal, state, county, and local park districts and management agencies. Lake Metroparks has six parks featured: one in the Ashtabula loop and five in the Cleveland loop.

Audubon Wetlands Preserve
Ashland County Park District

Black Swamp Observatory
13551 West St. Rt 2
Oak Harbor, OH 43449
419.898.4070
website

Crawford Park District - Crawford County
Blue Bird Trail - Sears Woods State Nature Preserve
1486 Mt. Zion Rd.
website

Funk Bottoms Wildlife Area
SR 3 south, right onto SR 95, left onto dirt road just before Village of Funk to reach the wildlife observation platform. 330-567-3390
This 1,490-acre wildlife preserve is located behind Mohicanville Dam and has an observation tower for viewing animals and birds. Open year round. Open for hunting and trapping

Killbuck Marsh Wildlife Area
This 5,671-acre wildlife area is situated in northeastern Ohio in portions of Wayne and Holmes counties. This complex is Ohio’s largest remaining marshland outside of the Lake Erie region. A great variety of nesting and migrant birds utilize the area. Of particular interest is the spring migration of waterfowl and songbirds.
website

Malabar Farms - Songbird Aviary
The Malabar Farm Songbird Aviary contains varied avian species
throughout the year.
4050 Bromfield Road
Lucas, OH 44843
Phone: 419-892-2784
For additional information website
(photo courtesy of Malabar Farm)

Ohio Bird Sanctuary
3774 Orweiler Rd.
Mansfield, OH 44903
419.884.HAWK (4295)
website

Ohio Erie & Canalway
Information about key viewing sites in each county, important bird areas, flyways and more.
For complete information website.

Ohio Ornithological Society
website

* Winter: Waterfowl and gulls are good when the area is not frozen. It is a good area for Snowy Owl during invasion years.

Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge
Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge is located in northwest Ohio on the shore of Lake Erie. The refuge was established in 1961 to provide habitat for waterfowl and other migratory birds, resident wildlife, and endangered and threatened species.
For complete information and listing of events website.