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The wetlands area of Miami-Whitewater Forest, a Hamilton County Park, has
become perhaps the best area for marsh birding in southwest Ohio, surpassing
even Spring Valley. Pied-billed Grebe, American Bittern, Least Bittern,
Blue-winged Teal, Ruddy Duck, Virginia Rail, Sora, Common Moorhen, American
Coot, Sedge Wren, and Marsh Wren are among the summer residents which are
otherwise very difficult to find in our area. The area is good for dabbling
ducks and fair for diving ducks in migration. Common Snipe are abundant in
early spring, and other migrant shorebirds may be found in numbers that vary
with water levels.
The wetlands are surrounded by fields, which the Park District is in the
process of converting from cropland to prairie. Grasshopper and Savannah
Sparrows are present in summer, while Northern Harrier and Short-eared Owl
have been found in the winter. Dickcissel and Upland Sandpiper appear
occasionally in migration.
One advantage which Spring Valley still holds over this area is access. There
is no boardwalk into the marsh such as may be found at Spring Valley. The
only official trail into the area, Shaker Trace, is designed for skateboards
and bicycles, and misses most of the better birding areas.
To reach the Miami-Whitewater wetlands, take the Dry Fork Exit (exit 3) from
I-74. Coming from Cincinnati, turn right onto Dry Fork, right onto New Haven
(2.3 miles), left on Oxford (0.7), and left again on Baughman (0.1). Park
on the right in a dirt area just past a small pond (0.6). Walk back to the
pond, and follow the dike out to the north into the fields, following the
unofficial birder's paths. Another group of ponds, which is good for ducks
but not so productive for marsh birds, may be found on the other side of
Baughman Road, another hundred yards past the parking area. These ponds may
also be viewed from New Haven Road.
Since there are no marked trails in the area, the best way to learn your
way around will probably be to join a Bird Club or Audubon field trip.
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