Killbuck Valley Important Bird Area

Killbuck Valley
Important Bird Area

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Entire Year – Spring – Summer – Fall – Winter

Locations

Holmes
Killbuck Marsh Wildlife Area (Holmes Co.)
Killbuck Marsh Wildlife Area--Butler Spring

Wayne
Killbuck Marsh Wildlife Area (Wayne Co.)
Killbuck Marsh Wildlife Area--Cemetery Rd.
Killbuck Marsh Wildlife Area--Clark Rd.
Killbuck Marsh Wildlife Area--Force Rd. East
Killbuck Marsh Wildlife Area--Force Rd. West
Killbuck Marsh Wildlife Area--Headquarters (restricted access)
Killbuck Marsh Wildlife Area--Messner Rd.
Killbuck Marsh Wildlife Area--Moore Marsh
Killbuck Marsh Wildlife Area--Railroad @ Willow Rd.
Killbuck Marsh Wildlife Area--Valley Rd. North
Killbuck Marsh Wildlife Area--Valley Rd. South
Killbuck Marsh Wildlife Area--Willow Rd.
Killbuck Marsh Wildlife Area--Wright Marsh
Shreve Fish Pond

About Killbuck Valley Important Bird Area

This IBA extends along Killbuck Creek south of Wooster in Wayne County southward to Holmesville in Holmes County. It encompasses the largest wetland complex in Ohio south of Lake Erie. Much of the area of the IBA is in Wayne County and consists of the riparian zone plus the associated marshland of Killbuck Marsh State Wildlife Area and private conservation easement land.

The bird list for Killbuck includes more than 275 species. This wetland complex attracts a large diversity of waterfowl in large numbers during spring and fall migrations. Thousands of Gadwalls, American Wigeons, Northern Shovelers, Redheads, Ring-necked Ducks, and Lesser Scaups are possible anytime in spring, with Tundra Swans often seen in large numbers. Rare waterfowl are recorded as well (e.g. Eurasian Wigeon, Long-tailed Duck). Shorebird migration is sporadic, but with seasonal totals of 1,000+ (as many as 800 Pectoral Sandpipers) in one flock.

Bald Eagles nest and in winter Rough-legged Hawks and Northern Harriers are regular. Wetland birds include Sandhill Cranes, which breed here and migrate through in regular flocks. Other wetland species include Common Moorhen, Sora, and Virginia Rail, and occasional Black Terns. Marsh Wrens nest in the marshland (approximately 45-55 singing males – 2001, V.Fazio) and Prothonotary Warblers breed in the swamp forests. Another priority species breeding here is the Yellow-breasted Chat. Approximately 12 pairs of Brown Creepers were recorded as probable breeders in 2001.

From Killbuck Valley Important Bird Area webpage