Big Island Wildlife Area

 

To get there: From the center of Marion drive west on Ohio 95 about seven miles; turn left (south) on Espyville Road (T-84) and proceed 0.5 mile Other entry points are along La Rue-ProspectRoad (C-37), a right turn 1.4 miles south of Ohio 95. (Map D - 7)

Although this 1,923-acre tract, the site of a primeval wet prairie, has been managed by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources mostly for fishing and hunting, it is, nevertheless, a splendid place for finding a wide variety of interesting birds. Three diked impoundments contain 382 acres of ponds, cattail marsh, and scattered rushes surrounded by forests, wet meadows, successional fields, croplands, and riparian woodlands along the Scioto River. All of these habitats may be reached on foot from surrounding roads at a dozen or so unmarked entries which can be spotted by their gravel surfaces.

Two trails are usually mowed through fields west of the impoundments from graveled entries on the north side of La Rue-Prospect Road. A rookery of herons and egrets is located in the big woodlot beyond the westernmost impoundment. Between the cattail marsh and the railroad tracks to the north are 400 acres of wetlands with prairie plants, including some small sedge meadows. As part of an on-going program to enhance shorebird habitat, the water in the impoundments is drawn down in late summer and early fall to create mudflats, Current plans call for an observation blind to enhance close-up viewing.

Waterfowl are a prime attraction in season with all of the common dabbling ducks well represented. while smaller numbers of diving ducks stop over to feed and rest. From the middle of March through April, there are usually good numbers of Redheads, Ring-necked Ducks, and Lesser Scaups present, and smaller gatherings of Canvasbacks, Buffleheads, Hooded Mergansers, and Ruddy Ducks. Other waterbirds encountered during migrations include: Horned Grebes, Tundra Swans, Snow Geese, all of the commonly encountered shorebirds, and Ohio's four expected tern species. Ospreys are frequent spring and fall visitors.

Northern Harriers, Rough-legged Hawks and Short-eared Owls are usually encountered during the winter months. Other owls - Eastern Screech-Owl, Great Horned, Barred, and occasional Long-eared and Northern Saw-whet owls - are sometimes found in the woods adjacent to the impoundments.

Summer residents include: Pied-billed Grebe, Least Bittern, Green-backed Heron, Canada Goose, Wood Duck, Blue-winged Teal, Virginia and Sora rails, Common Moorhen, American Coot, Spotted Sandpiper, Eastern Kingfisher, Red-headed Woodpecker, Willow Flycatcher, Marsh Wren, Blue-winged Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Savannah and Swamp sparrows, and Orchard Oriole.

Casual nesting species or rare summer visitors include: American Bittern, Great Egret, Black-crowned Night Heron, Green-winged Teal, American Black Duck, Northern Pintail, Northern Shoveler, Gadwall, American Wigeon, Redhead, Ruddy Duck, and King Rail.

Rare migrants or vagrants that have been recorded in the area include: Eared Grebe, Snowy Egret, Little Blue Heron, Cattle Egret, Greater White-fronted Goose, Greater Scaup, Merlin, Peregrine Falcon, Yellow and Black rails, Sandhill Crane, Willet, Whimbrel, Buff-breasted Sandpiper, LeConte's and Sharp-tailed sparrows, Western Meadowlark, and Yellow-headed Blackbird. During winter months, look for Lapland Longspurs and Snow Buntings associating with flocks of Horned Larks in surrounding fields.