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.
Putnam County Birding Drive
Click on the hotspot names below to view the page about that hotspot.
Putnam County is one of Ohio’s “under-birded” counties (fewer than 1000 eBird checklists). This Birding Drive explores eBird hotspots in the county. When you submit checklists here you help to add to the data about birds in this region of Ohio.
Leipsic, Ohio 45856
From Leipsic, drive northeast on South Belmore Street for .1 mile. Turn left onto East Liberty Street, then turn right onto Belmore Street for .2 mile. Turn right onto East Mathias Street and drive 2.3 miles. Turn left onto Road 4 and go .5 mile. Turn right onto County Highway E and arrive at the Leipsic Upground Reservoir in .6 mile.
The Leipsic Upground Reservoir is adjacent to Yellow Creek. Access is from County Highway E. There is a parking lot with stairs up the dike to view birds on the reservoir. A scope is helpful.
Kalida, Ohio 45853
From Leipsic Upground Reservoir, drive west on Road E for 1.6 miles. Turn left onto Road 5 and drive 1.2 miles. Continue onto Protec Parkway for .6 mile. Continue onto County Highway 5 and drive 4.2 miles. Turn right onto US-224 west and drive 10.7 miles. Turn right onto Road M and drive 2 miles. Turn left onto North Broad Street for .2 mile. Turn right onto Walnut Drive for .3 mile. Turn right onto OH-115 north for .1 mile. Turn left onto Road M and arrive at Kalinda Community Park in .5 mile.
The community park is managed by the Village of Kalida. The park is located on County Road M.
OH-694 Cloverdale, Ohio 45827
From Kalida Community Park, drive west on Road M for .3 mile. Turn right onto OH-114 west and drive 4.3 miles. Arrive at Cascade Wildlife Area on the right.
The Cascade Wildlife Area is adjacent to the Auglaize River.