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Bird Watchers Rejoice at These 9 Places Around Central Ohio
Bird watching may seem like a relatively tame activity, but it's actually beneficial for your mental and physical health. Walking is good for your cardiovascular system, while experts say bird watching reduces stress and anxiety while improving cognitive skills.
Another positive aspect of bird watching? It costs nothing to participate when you visit these fascinating sites around Columbus and Central Ohio.
Grange Insurance Audubon Center
505 W. Whittier St., Columbus, OH 43215
Named for the iconic ornithologist and painter, Grange Insurance Audubon Center is designed to show how conservation efforts enable nature to thrive in urban areas. This lush bird sanctuary stands on a former industrial site in downtown Columbus, right on the banks of the Scioto River. Kids can check out Adventure and Discovery Backpacks for curbside pickup that contain materials to help them get the most out of your visit. Check the website for information about current programs. The Scioto Audubon Park is open daily from 6:30 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Blendon Woods Metro Park
4265 E. Dublin Granville Rd., Columbus, OH 43081
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Where do turkeys go when it's not Thanksgiving? Chances are good you'll see some of them foraging for food at Blendon Woods Metro Park. The 653-acre grounds are also home to a variety of songbirds as well as Thoreau Lake, site of the Walden Waterfowl Refuge. Get a great view from the spotting scopes atop two elevated observation platforms. Stream-cut ravines and open fields provide a picturesque backdrop for a day of bird watching. Park hours are 6:30 a.m. - 8 p.m. seven days a week.
Glen Echo Park
510 Cliffside Dr., Columbus, OH 43202
Running from Fourth St. to Indianola Ave., the ravine setting of Glen Echo Park is so secluded that many Columbus residents are surprised to learn about it. The dog-friendly park offers a serene oasis that feels miles away from the traffic and activity above, making it a popular spot for local bird watchers. Don't miss the tunnel with colorful bird figures painted on the walls, which is a favorite attraction for park visitors. Glen Echo Park is open daily from 6 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Pickerington Ponds Metro Park
7680 Wright Rd., Canal Winchester, OH 43110
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The delightfully alliterative name of Pickerington Ponds Metro Park sounds like something you might find in the fields of England. In reality, this top bird-watching site is just minutes from Columbus. With more than 260 species of waterfowl, shorebirds and land birds spotted on 1,608-acre grounds, you're sure to have a productive day. Keep your eyes peeled for deer, beaver, fox, and other wildlife that also roam the park. Park hours are 6:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. daily.
Highbanks Metro Park
9466 Columbus Pike, Lewis Center, OH 43035
As the name implies, Highbanks Metro Park is noted for its 100-foot-tall shale bluff that looks out over the Olentangy State Scenic River. The 1,200-acre park has several trails in various degrees of difficulty that provide numerous opportunities for bird watching, including eagles, which have been seen at Highbanks. Many of the trails are pet-friendly, so bring Fido along. Highbanks is open 6:30 a.m. - 8 p.m. seven days a week.
Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park
1775 Darby Creek Dr., Galloway, OH 43119
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The sprawling 7,000 acres of Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park encompass a variety of different terrains, including forests, prairies, and wetlands. More than 1,600 acres of the land have been restored, with bison inhabiting two enclosed pastures. White Barn Lagoon is a spot favored by many bird watchers. Sightings of nearly 100 species, including peregrine falcons and European starlings, have been reported. A number of the dozen trails are well-suited for family and dog outings. Battelle Darby Creek is open year-round from 6:30 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Hogback Ridge Park
2656 Hogback Rd., Sunbury, OH 43074
On its own, Hogback Ridge Park is a lovely, dog-friendly place to spend a day of bird watching. Winding trails make their way through wooded ravines that are home to wild turkeys, pileated woodpeckers, and many other species. For a real treat, take the Woodland Ridge Trail to the Equestrian Trail to a spot on Alum Creek dubbed "Osprey Overlook." Enjoy breathtaking sights of these stunning birds fishing, feeding their young and interacting with other osprey. Hogback Ridge is open seven days a week from 8 a.m. - 7 p.m., with extended hours until 9 p.m. between March and October.
Wilma H. Schiermeier Olentangy River Wetland Research Park
352 W. Dodridge St., Columbus, OH 43202
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Bird watching is part of higher education at the Wilma H. Schiermeier Olentangy River Wetland Research Park. The 52-acre facility sits just on the northern edge of the Ohio State University Campus. Faculty and students use the park for research and training on ecosystems, landscapes, and other environmental matters. The park and its greenway trails, paved paths, and observation pavilion are open to the public daily from dawn until dusk.
Hoover Reservoir Park
7701 Sunbury Rd., Westerville, OH 43081
Few things are more exciting for veteran and novice bird watchers alike than a bald eagle sighting. Such occurrences are relatively frequent at Hoover Reservoir Park, a peaceful spot located a mere 20 minutes from Columbus. The Hoover Meadows Bluebird Trail and Hoover Mudflats are well-known bird-watching spots. Mud Hen Marsh, one of several preserves in the area, offers great opportunities to view the marsh's namesake as well as the Northern Cardinal, Eastern Kingbird, and House Finch. Park hours are 7 a.m. - 11 p.m. daily.
Free as a Bird
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