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.
Paulding County Birding Drive
Click on the hotspot names below to view the page about that hotspot.
This Birding Drive explores eBird hotspots in Paulding County. When you submit checklists here you help to add to the data about birds in this region of Ohio.
Antwerp, Ohio 45813
From US-24, take exit 3 onto OH-49 north and drive .6 mile. Turn right onto East Canal Street and go .2 mile. Turn left onto Kross Drive. Arrive at Riverside Park on the left in .4 mile.
Riverside Park is operated by the Village of Antwerp. The park provides views and access to the Maumee River.
McDonald Park Paulding, Ohio 45879
From Riverside Park, return to OH-49. Turn left onto OH-49 and drive 3 miles. Turn left onto OH-111 east and drive 7 miles. Turn right onto Road 107 and go .5 mile. Turn left onto Fairground Drive and arrive at Black Swamp Nature Center on the right.
The Black Swamp Nature Center contains 51 acres consisting of 24 acres of woodland, 14 acres of wetlands, and 6 acres of old meadow. The nature center has many assets which enhance its use. A boat launch allows easy access to Flat Rock Creek, while trails wander around the top banks of three ponds, along Flat Rock Creek, and past the old Sugar Beet Dam. The Paulding County Fairgrounds border the nature center on its northeast side, with two access trails allowing easy entrance. The old meadow and wetland areas provide an excellent habitat for many species of birds and plant life.
The Black Swamp Nature Center provides a wonderful area to observe bird life, especially during the Spring and Fall migrations.
Paulding, Ohio 45879
From the Black Swamp Nature Center, drive southwest on Fairground Road and turn left onto McDonald Pike. Turn left onto Reservoir Drive and arrive at the Paulding Reservoir.
Paulding Reservoir Park is a Paulding village park and provides a variety of recreational activities. Paulding’s 67-acre reservoir not only provides water to village residents but also the opportunity to fish for bluegill, saugeye, perch, catfish and other varieties.
Paulding, Ohio 45879
From the Paulding Reservoir, go west on Reservoir Drive and turn right onto McDonald Park. Turn right onto Fairground Drive which turns left and becomes South Williams Street. Go .3 mile and turn right onto East Jackson Street. Turn left onto Emerald Road and drive 1.3 miles. Turn right onto Road 154 and go .9 mile. Road 154 turns slightly left and becomes Road 119. Arrive at the Paulding Sewage Lagoons.
Please watch birds on the Paulding Sewage Lagoons from the roadside only.
Oakwood Village, Ohio 44146
From the Paulding Sewage Lagoons, go north on Road 119 for .4 mile. Turn right onto Township Highway 162 for 1 mile. turn right onto Road 123 and drive 2 miles. Turn left onto Road 138 and drive 5.3 miles. Turn right onto Road 171 and drive 4.1 miles. Turn left onto OH-613 and go .2 mile. Turn left onto North First Street and go .2 mile. Turn left onto Cook Street and arrive at Oakwood Community Park.
Oakwood Community Park, on the Auglaize River, is operated by Oakwood Village.