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.
Pike County Birding Drive
Click on the hotspot names below to view the page about that hotspot.
Pike County is one of Ohio’s “under-birded” counties (fewer than 1000 eBird checklists). This Birding Drive explores eBird hotspots in the county. When you submit checklists here you help to add to the data about birds in this region of Ohio.
Overly Road Beaver, Ohio 45613
From Jackson, drive west on Beaver Pike for 3.9 miles. Turn right onto Limerick Road and drive 4.4 miles. Turn left onto Big Rock road and drive 2.1 miles. Continue straight onto Overly Road for .2 mile.
Jackson Lake is located on Overly Road near the intersections with Wickline Road and Big Rock Road.
2767 OH-551 Waverly, Ohio 45690
From Jackson Lake, drive west on Overly Road for .6 mile. Turn left onto OH-335 south and drive 5.5 miles. Turn right onto Main Street for .2 mile. Continue onto Beaver Pike and drive 5.6 miles. Turn right onto OH-124 west and drive 6.9 miles. Turn right onto OH-104 north and drive 4.1 miles. Turn left onto OH-551 west and arrive at Lake White State Park in .2 mile.
Located in the Appalachian foothills near the Scioto River, Lake White State Park supports a variety of natural wonders. The forested hills are similar in character to the southern Appalachians with magnificent stands of oak, hickory, tulip, ash, maple, and scores of other hardwood species. In spring, the forest trails are lined with flowering dogwood and redbud trees and numerous woodland wildflowers. The sandstone outcroppings are coated with various ferns, mosses, lichens, and fungi including the prized morel mushrooms in spring.
The dense forest and remoteness of the area create excellent habitat for some of Ohio’s most elusive wildlife. White-tailed deer, ruffed grouse, and the secretive wild turkey are abundant in this region. Red fox, skunk, opossum, gray squirrel, and raccoons are often sighted. Many reptiles and amphibians find the park’s cool waters desirable.
1847 Pike Lake Road Bainbridge, Ohio 45612
From White Lake State Park, drive northwest on OH-551 for .4 mile. Make a slight left onto Virginia Lane and go .7 mile. Turn left onto OH-551 and drive .8 mile. Turn left onto OH-220 west and drive 4.1 miles. Continue onto OH-772 south and drive 1.9 miles. Continue onto OH-124 and drive 1.6 miles. Turn right onto Morgans Fork Road and drive 3.8 miles. Continue straight onto Pike Lake Road and arrive at Pike Lake State Park in 1.7 miles.
Pike Lake region is located in the unglaciated portion of the Appalachian plateau in Ohio. As the Appalachian Mountains were uplifted, this plateau was created west of the new mountain range. The plateau marks the boundary between the hilly eastern section of Ohio and the flatter western portions. Just thirty miles west of Pike Lake, the terrain changes dramatically from forested hills to rolling farmland.
The landscape of Pike Lake is characterized by dense forests of oak, hickory, tulip, ash and other hardwoods. Several outcroppings of the sandstone bedrock have been exposed in the park.
The dense forest and remote location of Pike Lake create excellent habitat for Ohio’s forest game animals. White-tailed deer, ruffed grouse, gray squirrel, rabbit and the elusive wild turkey are abundant. Other mammals in the park include skunk, opossum, raccoon, and red fox. Reptiles include the box turtle, black snake, five-lined skink, and the endangered timber rattlesnake.
The forest is known for its variety of ferns, mosses, lichens, and fungi. The wildflowers are diverse, creating spectacular displays–spring through autumn.