This is the largest area of the Clay Pits. It includes two large private properties, a University of Findlay equestrian farm, and a radio tower. It is the site of a former Findlay College biological research station. Walking the road is productive early in the morning. Birds that rarely breed in this area of Ohio, such as Black-crowned Night-Herons, Veery, American Redstart, Pied-billed Grebe, and Hooded Merganser, have been recorded here recently.

The Clay Pits area, located immediately southeast of Findlay is a shallow strip-mined area created to provide “Blue” clay for clay shooting targets for the Remington Company in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Now long abandoned, these strip mines represent the largest area of wetlands in Hancock County and the surrounding region.

This area is roughly bordered by County Road 180 on the east, Park Street to the west, just north of Olive Street to the north, and Township Road 201 to the south.

Please, note that, with the exception of Blue Rock Nature Preserve in the extreme northwest part of the area, almost all of the Clay Pits area is private property. Please respect property rights. Do not enter private properties and bird from the roadside only.