Most of the park is either short grass or a mixture of overgrown fields, shrubland, meadow, and prairie habitat where summer breeding birds such as Yellow-breasted Chat, Dickcissel, and Orchard Oriole are easily found. There is a pond at the north end. A wooded corridor exists along the Little Miami River that is home to nesting Prothonotary Warblers and hosts many migrant warblers. Adjacent to and visible from the northeast end of the park is an agricultural area known as the “bean field” that provides a wetland habitat for migrating shorebirds. In the past, it has been a great place to scope for rarities like Baird’s and Stilt Sandpipers, but the field has not been planted recently, so this habitat’s future is unknown.

This park is probably most known among birders for the Short-eared Owls that roost there. For over a decade, birders would congregate on winter evenings and wait for the owls to emerge from the long grass and float off to Lunken Airport to hunt. One Christmas Eve my family observed at least seven in the dusk moonlight. Sadly, Short-eared Owls have not been reported there in the past two years, although there have been sporadic sightings at the airport. Their disappearance may be related to changes in their preferred habitat. Other notable finds at Armleder include a Yellow Rail in October 2011, a Long-eared Owl in fall 2014, and a pair of Worm-eating Warblers in July 2020.

Armleder Park is located at 5057 Wooster Pike, Cincinnati, 45226. The park sign is a bit off the road by the canoe launch, but this involves pulling off into the grass and can be muddy. There are restrooms located in the building in the middle of the park as well as porta potties in the parking lots near the dog parks. The park is often closed in the spring due to flooding.
From Sarah Preston, Ohio Ornithological Society Chip Notes

Armleder Park in Hamilton County is one of my favorite spots in Ohio. There is always something to see any time of year here. Some of my most fond memories from this park are watching Short-eared Owls and Northern Harriers hunt over the fields while searching for wintering sparrows. I always start my year off here!
From Tyler Ficker, Ohio Ornithological Society Southwest Regional Director

Also, see Cincinnati Audubon website

One of Cincinnati’s newest city parks, this 238-acre site is managed in partnership with the Great Parks of Hamilton County and the Cincinnati Recreation Commission. It features hiking trails and a bike path, a playground, shelters, recreational fields, and meadows (get out your kites!). It also features a large dog park and provides access to the Little Miami Scenic River.

• Picnic Area
• Shelter
• Hiking Trail
• Bike Trail
• Dog Park
• Playground
• Comfort Station/Restrooms
• Significant Natural Areas

Armleder Park Trails
A 1-mile paved bike trail connects the park’s existing 1.9-mile trail to the 5-mile Lunken Airfield loop.

Once in the park follow the signs to the canoe launch, park, take the trail turning right at the river, stopping at Duck Creek. Prothonotary Warblers breed here Be alert for American Woodcock and Wilson’s Snipe. Or park at the building, walk the paved circular path watching for Northern Harriers, Dickcissels, Blue Grosbeaks, Tree Swallows, Northern Rough-winged Swallows, Orchard Orioles, American Chats and American Tree Sparrows. Or, from the building, walk straight to the river. Turning left, walk several hundred yards to the “Bean Field” actually a wide spot when the river is low and scan for ducks, herons and shorebirds. The bike path toward Lunken Airport contains a good mix of weedy fields and wooded lots. Terrain is very level.

A description with a map of a hike in Armleder Park is on the AllTrails website.