Clear Creek Valley.
About 30 miles south east of Columbus off the US 33, the Clear Creek Metro Park is where the prairies of the west meet the Appalachian forests of the east. The park now contains about 5,000 acres of woods and fields, with many trails to be hiked and good birding, particularly during migration. Driving down Clear Creek Road, and stopping and birding at some of the pull offs can be very rewarding.
Crane Creek State Park.
Located near Oak Harbor, just east of Toledo, this is one of the premier birdwatching spots in the US during spring migration to see songbirds as they rest for a time before making the crossing over Lake Erie into Canada. More than 100 species in a day can be seen during this time. Close by is Magee Marsh Wildlife Area, which is also a migrant trap. Both sites should be covered if birding there during migration. Over 300 species have been recorded at the two places.
Green Lawn Cemetery.
This is a great place for migrating warblers, vireos, sparrows and thrushes. On a good day in late April or early May, a birder may record 60 to 80 species of birds in two or three hours in this wooded, park-like cemetery. Very easily accessed from Columbus, take I-71 south of downtown Columbus to the Greenlawn Avenue exit and drive west on Greenlawn Avenue for 0.7 mile to the entrance.
Spring Valley State Wildlife Area.
Only a 20 minute drive from Dayton in the south western part of the state, this is consistently one of southwest Ohio's best birding spots with more than 230 species recorded here. It includes a 150-acre lake and marsh with overgrown channels, underbrush, fields and upland woods. A boardwalk, which is entered from the north parking lot, crosses the north end of the marsh, and is accessible during the spring and summer. Wide trails circle the lake passing through a variety of habitats. In late April and early May, large numbers of migrating passerines pass through. To get there take U.S. 42 two and a half miles south of the village of Spring Valley, turn east on Roxanna-New Burlington Road and go 1.4 miles to Pence Jones Road.
The Ottawa NWR Complex.
15 miles east of Toledo, this refuge is a major feeding, nesting, and resting area for migrating birds. The refuge preserves portions of the historic Lake Erie marshes and Great Black Swamp habitats. Ottawa NWR Complex is comprised of three refuges: Cedar Point NWR, Ottawa NWR and West Sister Island NWR. The refuge offers nine miles of hiking trails. Most of the trails are crushed gravel on level dikes. These trails pass along all of the habitat types available on the refuge, including wetland, native prairie, wooded areas, and open estuary. All provide excellent viewing of many species of birds including, shorebirds, warblers, raptors, waterfowl, and a variety of wading birds. In the spring the refuge is a prime birding location as many songbirds stop here on their way north.