Waterloo State Forest--Driving Loop

Waterloo State Forest--Driving Loop

6481 Ohio Rt. 356 New Marshfield, Ohio 45766

Zaleski/Waterloo State Forest map and brochure

Tips for Birding

For the fullest birding experience, walking the loop is recommended if one is able, but driving and making frequent stops will also yield good results.

The loop traverses several woodland habitat types, including a cool ravine at the northern entrance (home to rhododendron and azaleas), scattered small stands of eastern hemlock, and a pine plantation at the top of the hill. The majority of the loop is comprised of mixed deciduous forest with scattered evergreens, some areas with dense undergrowth, and other areas slightly more open.

As one would expect, with different habitats come different birds. For example, the pine plantation at the top of the loop is home to Red-breasted Nuthatches, Pine Warblers, Red-headed Woodpeckers, and irruptive winter finches during appropriate seasons. Adjacent to that there is a patch of habitat consisting mostly of scrubby bushes and shrubs that is perfect for Prairie Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, Blue-winged Warbler and White-eyed Vireo. Migrating Blue-headed Vireos can be found in some of the hemlock stands. Eastern Phoebe and Louisiana Waterthrush are more commonly found toward the bottom of the hill, where a stream runs through.

A power line cut bisects the loop, and is a good place to look for birds that like edge habitat (like Brown Thrasher). This is also a good place to get a good view of open sky to scan for vultures and raptors.

Birds of Interest

YEAR-ROUND BIRDS: Mourning Dove, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Cooper’s Hawk, Turkey Vulture, Red-shouldered Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Red-headed Woodpecker, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Pileated Woodpecker, Norther Flicker, Blue Jay, American Crow, Carolina Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch, Carolina Wren, Eastern Bluebird, American Robin, Cedar Waxwing, American Goldfinch, Song Sparrow, Eastern Towhee, Northern Cardinal

SPRING & FALL BIRDS: Canada Goose, Wild Turkey, Mallard, Northern Bobwhite, Ruffed Grouse, American Woodcock, Double-crested Cormorant, Black Vulture, Osprey, Northern Harrier, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Blue-headed Vireo, Philadelphia Vireo, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Thrasher, Veery, Gray-cheecked Thrush, Swainson’s Thrush, Hermit Thrush, Fox Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, Tennessee Warbler, Nashville Warbler, Cape May Warbler, Cerulean Warbler, Northern Parula, Magnolia Warbler, Bay-breasted Warbler, Blackburnian Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Blackpoll Warbler, Black-throated Blue Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Rose-breasted Grosbeak

SUMMER BIRDS: Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Black-billed Cuckoo, Eastern Whip-poor-will, Chimney Swift, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Great Blue Heron*, Broad-winged Hawk, Belted Kingfisher, Eastern Wood Pewee, Acadian Flycatcher, Willow Flycatcher, Eastern Phoebe, Great-crested Flycatcher, White-eyed Vireo, Yellow-throated Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo, Purple Martin, Tree Swallow, Barn Swallow, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, House Wren, Gray Catbird, Wood Thrush, Chipping Sparrow, Field Sparrow, Yellow-breasted Chat, Baltimore Oriole, Brown-headed Cowbird, Common Grackle, Ovenbird, Worm-eating Warbler, Louisiana Waterthrush, Blue-winged Warbler, Black-and-White Warbler, Kentucky Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Hooded Warbler, American Redstart, Pine Warbler, Yellow-throated Warbler, Prairie Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler, Summer Tanager, Scarlet Tanager, Indigo Bunting=

WINTER BIRDS: American Kestrel, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Winter Wren, Hermit Thrush, Red Crossbill, Pine Siskin, American Tree Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, White-throated Sparrow

(All seasonal distribution information is based on existing eBird data as of December 2022.)

SPECIAL NOTES:

OWLS: Barred Owl, Great-horned Owl and Screech Owl have all been observed here.

*GREAT BLUE HERON ROOKERY: A small rookery of at least 5 nests is present along the interior southern portion of the loop. The herons are extremely vocal during breeding and nesting season. The rookery was likely established when the neighboring Athens Fish & Game Club fishing pond was still in existence. The pond was drained in late 2020 due to a State of Ohio mandate that the dam either be remediated or removed (information about the dam via Athens Fish & Game Club Shooting Sports Facebook page).

WOODPECKERS: In winter and during migration, all 7 of Ohio’s woodpeckers can potentially be heard/seen here during a single visit.

About this Location

Waterloo State Forest consists of 447 acres that have been incorporated into the overall management of Zaleski State Forest. Some of the largest White Pine in Ohio can be found at Waterloo. This area was one of the first state forest land acquisitions, making it one of the oldest areas of the state that has received continuous forest management.

* The Waterloo Driving Loop is an approximately 2-mile loop accessed from Ohio Route 356. The road’s surface is gravel and dirt; none of it is paved. The topography is hilly, with a moderately steep climb at either entrance. Tree blow-down across the driving loop is a common occurrence, but the parties who manage the property actively work to keep the loop clear. Access by vehicle may be limited in winter (the loop is not plowed), and vehicle access would be ill-advised during major ice events.

* There is no designated parking lot. Parking is available at the north entrance (pull off in the grass near the sign, although this can get quite muddy during continuous wet weather), at several gated service roads along the loop, and at several open areas at the top of the hill. At least 2 cars can fit at the north entrance, and several can fit at the open pull offs at the top of the hill. Pulling off to the side of the road is possible along most of the loop as well.

Notable Trails

There are no official marked trails, but there are well-traveled footpaths radiating out from the loop, mostly used by hunters. These could yield interesting finds if one is interested in exploring more on foot.

Features

  • Roadside viewing

  • Restrooms on site

  • Wheelchair accessible trail

  • Entrance fee

Content from Zaleski/Waterloo State Forest map and brochure and Heather Aubke