For those who enjoy a nice walk and a glimpse at some wildlife, there are no better places than the Scenic Boardwalk at Maumee Bay State Park. With over 300 species of birds and so many other animals, this scenic trail is a must-visit for nature lovers, specifically bird lovers.
Travelers may not know much about this quiet path in an Ohio swamp, but there is much to be learned and experienced here. Travel to Ohio and check out this Scenic Lake Erie trail.
Take A Boardwalk Trail Through The Wetlands Of Maumee Bay State Park In Ohio
Ohio offers a variety of unique landscapes. Most of these diverse landscapes are found at Maumee Bay State Park. Here, travelers can take a closer look at the marshy landscape while meandering along the boardwalk trail that navigates the park's marshy terrain.
Found on the shores of Lake Erie, this state park is not lacking in natural beauty. Travelers visiting the park will have a chance to experience it all from a peaceful tail. There are a couple of things to keep in mind while on the trail, but so much more to enjoy!
Newcomers to the park will enjoy being able to get to see and take in the scenery of a landscape they have seen before. If there is any information about the park that can’t be found below, it can be found on their website.
- Address - 1400 State Park Road Oregon, OH 43616
Encompassing Unique Landscape
Travelers arriving at Maumee Bay State Park will be immediately greeted by some of the most beautiful surroundings in the entire state. This landscape is quite unique for the state; nature enthusiasts from the area commonly visit the park. Even on the coldest winter day, travelers brave enough to venture across the boardwalk will be greeted by a magical experience.
Experience a Walk Along the Unique Boardwalk
There are many reasons to visit Maumee Park, but the boardwalk loop has become its most popular draw. The locals enjoy regular visits, and travelers visiting the region enjoy stopping by to explore the 2.3-mile trail. It will take travelers through the wetlands for which the park is famous. The meeting of the land and Lake Erie creates quite a remarkable environment. Travelers will appreciate every step they take on this boardwalk.
- Length - 2.3 miles
Go Bird Watching on this Scenic Lake Erie Trail
Marshlands are always brimming with life. With so much growth and life in the water waterways, it is expected that a significant number of birds would call Maumee Park home. The wildlife here is truly fantastic, with 300 species of birds alone. Those roaming the park should do their best to keep their eyes open to see what they can see.
Birding in the Spring
With Spring, everything begins to wake up in the park. Ducks begin to arrive in late January and February. Then large flocks of blackbirds (some have overwintered) become common through the park in February and March. They are quickly followed by hawks starting to ride the winds north from the southwest. Red-Tailed and Red-Shouldered Hawks can often be seen in March. Less occasionally, Golden Eagles, Sharp-shinned Hawks, Ospreys, and numbers of Broad-winged Hawks are encountered, though their numbers grow throughout April. From late February into April, Lapland Longspurs are often seen migrating along the lakeshore. The beaches of the park usually host a few shore birds, notably Sanderlings, Red Knots, and Ruddy Turnstones. Songbird migration in late April and May can be excellent to watch with over 30 species of warblers present and many other Neotropical migrants. They can sometimes be found along the boardwalk area and in the shrubby thickets.
- Ducks
- Blackbirds
- Red-Tail Hawk
- Red-Shouldered Hawk
- Golden Eagles
- Sharp-shinned Hawks
- Ospreys
- Sanderlings
- Red Knots
- Ruddy Turnstones
Birding in the Summer
Though summer isn’t the greatest time for bird activity in the park, the fall migrations do begin in early July. Travelers who can wake up early can find a few species on the beaches and grassy areas near the beach parking lot. Buff-breasted Sandpipers can be found here. Upland Sandpipers used to nest here before the cottonwoods took over a great deal of the parks.
Eastern Meadowlarks and Savannah Sparrows can be found in the fields. Yellow Warblers, Warbling Vireos, and Yellow-billed Cuckoos use the thickets and cottonwoods. Other common birds are the American Woodcocks and the Eastern Screech-owls.
- Buff-breasted Sandpipers
- Upland Sandpipers
- Cottonwoods
- Eastern Meadowlarks
- Savannah Sparrows
- Yellow Warblers
- Warbling Vireos
- Yellow-billed Cuckoos
- American Woodcocks
- Eastern Screech-owls
Birding in the Fall
The shorebird migration does begin in July, but in mid-August, the first of the fall warblers can be spotted. Their numbers usually peak around Labor Day. Blue-winged and Green-wining Teals make up the bulk of the duck migration that occurs in September. November is when the greeted diversity of birds is reached. At this time, Scoters, Bonaparte’s Gulls, and Long-tailed Ducks should be found on the bay. The rare Greater White-fronted Goose can also be seen in flocks of abundant Canadian Geese.
- Warblers
- Blue-winged Teals
- Green-winged Teals
- Scoters
- Bonaparte’s Gulls
- Long-tailed Ducks
- Greater White-Fronted Goose
Keep an Eye Out for Other Wildlife
Birds are obviously not the only animals that can be spotted in this park. It is also home to turtles, snakes, muskrats, deer, and bald eagles. With so much wildlife, visitors should do their best to pay attention to what's around them to get the most out of a visit to the park. Once travelers see a couple of critters, they will be happy they choose this fantastic boardwalk trail in Ohio.
It should be noted that dogs and other pets are not allowed on this boardwalk. There is just too high of a chance that a traveler's furry friend could interact negatively with another animal here.