Springville Marsh State Nature Preserve

Springville Marsh State Nature Preserve

Township Road 24 (Muck Road) Carey, Ohio 43316

Official Website

Also, see all the hotspots at:
Springville Marsh Important Bird Area
Seneca County Birding Drive

Tips for Birding

Springville Marsh is an unequaled nature preserve in northwestern Ohio. This area of over 200 acres is the largest inland wetland in this part of the state. The sedge meadows, shrubby thickets and vast areas of cattail marsh provide excellent opportunities to observe wildlife. A boardwalk trail system connects to an observation tower and wildlife blind which overlooks one of the larger cattail marshes in the preserve. The boardwalk does not have kick rails and therefore it is recommended that users in wheelchairs not attempt to use this trail alone. Early morning or evening is the best time for birding. A bird-banding station is run on weekends from mid-March through mid-November. Check the bulletin board at the marsh for dates and times.

From Carey, drive north on US-23 for about 5 miles. Turn left (west) on Township Road 24, just before reaching the little town of Springville, and continue west. After crossing the railroad tracks, look for the entrance and parking lot on your left.

Open all year during daylight hours.

Birds of Interest

Winter
Sparrows; rarely rails and shrikes.
Spring
Most of the expected migrants.
Summer
Flycatchers, Marsh Wrens, Swamp Sparrows, Sora, and Virginia rails.
Fall
Migrants include large flocks of blackbirds including an occasional Yellow-headed.

About this Location

Visitors to Springville Marsh State Nature Preserve have a unique opportunity to observe and study the beauty of nature and to reflect on the past. Three factors have had a marked effect on this resource. First, abundant groundwater, which has surfaced as many cool, calcium-rich springs, continues to nourish the special plant life found here. Also, many Ice Age plant species and others that are newcomers, provide this preserve with a remarkable and diverse inventory of flowering plants. Third, the uniqueness of the marsh has survived despite past agricultural and industrial disruptions.

  • Cattail marsh with remnant sedge meadows
  • Waterfowl
  • Rare fen plants
  • Parking lot
  • Boardwalk trail system which connects to the observation tower and wildlife blind

Springville Marsh is an unequaled nature preserve in northwestern Ohio. It is the largest inland wetland in this part of the state. The preserve is notable for several reasons. Growing within the preserve are several Canadian and Atlantic coastal plain species, which became established here shortly after the Ice Age. Some of these plants are threatened and endangered species in Ohio. Fen orchids, bottle gentian, Kalm’s lobelia, and little yellow sedge can be seen along the boardwalk. One of Ohio’s largest populations of twig-rush, a typical Atlantic coastal plain species, is located throughout the preserve. There are also smaller areas of more northern plants, such as Ohio goldenrod, grass-of-Parnassus, and shrubby cinquefoil. The sedge meadows, shrubby thickets, and vast areas of cattail marsh provide excellent opportunities to observe wildlife.

Located in Seneca County 3.5 miles north of Carey on US-23 and OH-199; proceed 1 mile west on Township Road 24 (Muck Road) to the preserve parking lot.

The boardwalk is wheelchair accessible but does not have kick rails and therefore it is recommended that users in wheelchairs not attempt to use this trail alone.

Notable Trails

Springville Marsh Trail
The Springville Marsh boardwalk trail is .7 miles and connects to an observation tower and wildlife blind.

Features

  • Wheelchair accessible trail

  • Restrooms on site

Content from Official Website and Ohio Ornithological Society