Birding Drives are routes for birding trips which can be accomplished in one day, stopping to walk and bird at various eBird hotspots. For each birding drive, a Google map is provided with the route and suggested stops at eBird hotspots. You may save the link to the Google map on your smartphone or tablet, or print a copy on paper to take with you. Links are provided with information about each eBird hotspot. Follow those links for more information about birding each location.
Hamilton County Northwest Birding Drive
Click on the hotspot names below to view the page about that hotspot.
This Birding Drive explores eBird hotspots in Hamilton County. When you submit checklists here you help to add to the data about birds in this region of Ohio.
Harrison, Ohio 45303
From I-275 take Exit 32 for Blue Rock Road. Turn right on Blue Rock Road and drive3.1 miles. Turn right onto River Road and drive 2.1 miles. Turn right onto OH-128 north and then turn left onto Willey Road. The entrance to Fernald Preserve is on the right in 0.8 miles.
Fernald Preserve has the most species, over 240 species, reported of all the eBird hotspots in Hamilton County.
The Fernald Preserve Visitors Center is a 10,000-square-foot green building that celebrates the rich and varied history of the Fernald site. Information on the site’s natural, Native American, settlement and farming, uranium production, and environmental cleanup eras, as well as the recent ecological restoration and legacy management mission, is presented through a series of exhibits. Admission to the Visitors Center is free, and meeting spaces at the facility are also available for no charge to local organizations.
4000 West Kemper Road Cincinnati, Ohio 45251
From Fernald Preserve drive east on Willey Road for 0.8 miles. Turn left onto OH-128 and drive 3.1 miles. Turn right onto US-27 and drive 2.5 miles. Take the exit toward West Kemper Road, turn right on West Kemper Road, and drive 1.1 miles. Turn left on Lick Road and drive 1 mile.
Richardson Forest Preserve is located at the end of Lick Road in northern Hamilton County. Can be accessed off of Kemper Road between US-27 and Hamilton Avenue. Just follow Lick Road until it ends, the entrance to Richardson Forest Preserve is on the left.
This forest preserve has been protected and monitored by the park district since 1965. Its 393 acres of freshwater marsh serves as a habitat for many rare and unusual plant species, including skunk cabbage, marsh marigold, and five-angled dodder.
10245 Winton Road Cincinnati, Ohio 45231
From Richardson Forest Preserve drive south on Lick Road for 1 mile. Turn left onto West Kemper Road and drive 4.4 miles. Turn right onto Winton Road and drive 2.2. miles. Turn left onto Lakeview Drive and arrive at Winton Woods.
Winton Woods has several eBird hotspots to explore. It is a large park with diverse habitat.
Since the 1940s, Winton Woods has been a popular destination for thousands of residents and visitors to Cincinnati. Many great memories have been made over the years, and we have all come to enjoy the great features that this 2,555 acre park has to offer, including its miles of trails, Winton Lake, camping at the recently renovated campground, challenging golf courses, live farm animals at Parky’s Farm, horseback riding at the Riding Center, exciting team-building activities at Adventure Outpost…and much more.
10397 Springfield Pike Cincinnati, Ohio 45215
From Winton Woods turn left onto Lakeview Drive and go .1 mile. Turn left onto Winton Road and go .4 mile. turn left onto Lakeridge Drive and drive 1.4 miles. Turn right onto Riddle Road and drive 1 mile. Turn left onto Springfield Pike and go 0.3 miles. Turn left at Glendale Milford Road into Glenwood Gardens.
This beautifully landscaped, 335-acre park includes a 1.0-mile paved trail and the 1.6-mile Wetland Loop nature trail (skates, scooters, and bikes prohibited) with formal gardens, including the Legacy Garden, prairies, forests, and wetlands. The gift shop offers a variety of nature-related merchandise. The Gardenview Room may be also reserved for small group events.