Birding Drives are routes for birding trips which can be accomplished in one day, stopping to walk and bird at various eBird hotspots. For each birding drive, a Google map is provided with the route and suggested stops at eBird hotspots. You may save the link to the Google map on your smartphone or tablet, or print a copy on paper to take with you. Links are provided with information about each eBird hotspot. Follow those links for more information about birding each location.
Morrow County Birding Drive
Click on the hotspot names below to view the page about that hotspot.
This Birding Drive explores eBird hotspots in Morrow County. When you submit checklists here you help to add to the data about birds in this region of Ohio.
Mansfield, Ohio 44904
Clear Fork Reservoir is located in Richland and Morrow counties, approximately 8 miles southwest of Mansfield along OH-97.
There are three picnic areas on the south side of the Clear Fork Reservoir. Picnic Areas #1 and #2 are in Richland County. Picnic Area #3 is in Morrow County. Each picnic area provides views of the lake. They are all open during the summer. Some may be closed and gated in the offseason.
The Marina on the west end of the lake in Morrow County has a campground. This is a busy place in the summer. It provides views of this end of the lake in late fall, winter, and early spring during the offseason.
Galion, Ohio 44833
From Clear Fork Reservoir, take OH-97 west for 9.4 miles. When OH-97 curves right continue straight onto Bloomingrove-New Winchester Road for0.5 miles. Turn left onto OH-309 west for 0.3 miles. The entrances to the Amann and Amick Reservoirs is on the right.
Amann and Amick Reservoirs area located in Morrow County just west of OH-309 and OH-61.
There is access from OH-309 to the north and south sides of Amann Reservoir. The north side has a picnic area. The south access road provides access to both the Amann and Amick Reservoirs.
The Amick Reservoir is adjacent, south of Amann Reservoir.
From the reservoirs, take OH-61 south for 11.1 miles. Turn left onto OH-95 east. Arrive at Mt. Gilead State Park on the left in 0.5 miles.
The wealth of natural wonders found at Mt Gilead State Park can be traced back to the Ice Age–a time when two-thirds of Ohio was frozen land covered with glacial ice, nearly a mile thick in places. During this age, many changes occurred in the Ohio landscape: the stream systems were altered, topography changed and the Great Lakes were formed. The glaciers left Ohio with a legacy of valuable natural resources.
In the vicinity of Mt. Gilead, three end moraines (linear ridges of glacial sediment deposited along the ice edge) converged and account for the rolling terrain seen today. A beautiful stand of second growth beech-maple forest exists at Mt. Gilead.
The mature woodlands provide a glimpse of what Ohio was to the early settlers. Wildflowers such as wild geranium, hepatica, trillium and bloodroot, carpet the spring forest floor. The leafy canopy is occupied by the wood thrush, white-breasted nuthatch, Carolina wren, and other songbirds. Skunks, raccoons, white-tailed deer and a variety of other mammals make this park their home.
Fredericktown, Ohio 43019
From Mt. Gilead State Park take OH-95 east for 8.8 miles. Turn right onto OH-314 south and arrive at the Gleason Family Nature Reserve in 1.5 miles.
The park lies between a series of glacier features called moraines created when the slow intermittent advance and retreat of the last continental ice sheet (referred to as the Wisconsin Glacier) covered almost two-thirds of Ohio. The resulting rolling hills and gentle sloping valleys create an impressive sight for the visitor especially for those knowledgeable in glacier terminology. The deeper open water portions of the park seldom, if ever, dry up, thus providing excellent year-round habitat for waterfowl, amphibians, and reptiles. Eventually, the drainage patterns combine and its waters meander their way to join with the Kokosing River, located just a few hundred yards to the North. The upland watershed is relatively free of significant external pollution and the park’s natural processes of water filtration and groundwater replacement seem to be exceptional.
Rich Hill Bloomfield Road Centerburg, Ohio 43011
From the Gleason Family Nature Reserve, take OH-314 south for 4.4 miles. Continue straight onto Johnstown Shelby Road and drive 0.6 miles. Turn right onto OH-656 south and go 1 mile. Turn left onto Rich Hill Bloomfield Road and arrive at the Kathryn Sheedy Sanctuary on the left in 1.8 miles.
Sheedy Sanctuary contains over 40 acres of forested landscape encompassing large stands of previously cultivated white pines, dense stands of deciduous woodlands and extensive marsh areas covered with Buttonbush and other aquatic plants. The rich understory of Spice Bush and great diversity of wildflowers can mesmerize the astute visitor. Gentle rolling topography, traversed by a clear bubbling stream only adds to a tranquil experience. Well maintained trails easily guide those persons wanting to experience both beauty and peace.