Spring Valley Wildlife Area
Waynesville, OH
This area is one of the best marshes in southwest Ohio. It hosts a number of breeding species not typically found at other locations within the region.
Specialty Species:
American Bittern: Look for this species during the spring and summer while walking on the boardwalk and around the marsh.
Least Bittern: This species occasionally nest in the marsh during the summer months.
Virginia Rail: This is a great area to find Virginia Rails. It is easier to hear this species than the see it, but this park gives you a good opportunity to find one at close range. They have recently over wintered in the area.
Sora: Soras can be found in large numbers during the spring and summer when they nest on the property.
Warblers and Vireos: Check the area around the bike trail and the trees around the south parking lot for a chance to see many migrant warblers and vireos.
Sparrows: Sparrows can be found in good numbers during all seasons in the marsh.
Marsh Wren: You can find this species along the boardwalk and by hiking around the marsh.
Swallows: Large numbers of swallows can be found feeding over the lake and marsh.
Osprey: Look for Osprey hunting over the water during the summer months.
Red-headed Woodpecker: Red-headed Woodpeckers can be found nesting on the property.
Shorebirds: The marsh can be great for shorebirds in the fall if there are mudflats.
Blackbirds: Huge numbers of blackbirds can be found in the marsh during the fall.
Winter Wren: This species can be found along the boardwalk during the winter months.
Where to Bird:
- Boardwalk
- Nature Trail
Boardwalk: The boardwalk is accessed from the first parking area along Pence-Jones Road. Take the unmarked trail from the parking area. The boardwalk will take you through the center of the marsh. Look and listen for both Sora and Virginia Rail along in this area. This is also a great place to look for Marsh Wrens.
Nature Trail: This trail will take you on a 2.5 mile loop around the marsh. This is a great way to see many of the marsh birds that use the area.
Hours:
Dawn to Dusk
Fees:
None
Accessiblity:
Not Handicap Accessible
Trails:
2.5 miles plus
Non-birding Equipment Needed:
- None
Lenght of Visit:
2-3 hours but you can spend more time at this site
Map:
Website:
Directions:
From Cincinnati: Take I-71 North out of Cincinnati. Take Exit 45 for SR-73 and turn left. After 8.9 miles, turn right onto US-42. Go 5.60 miles and turn right onto Roxanna-New Burlington Road. After 1.5 miles, turn right onto Pence Jones Road (there is a small sign for Spring Valley Marsh). The first parking lot is 0.30 miles from this intersection (park here for the boardwalk). The parking lot for the main portion of the lake is located at the end of the road. Follow all the curves in the road and to the end which is located 1.25 miles from the intersection of Roxanna-New Burlington Road and Pence Jones Road.
From Dayton: From the intersection of SR-48 and SR-725, take SR-725 east. After 9.9 miles, turn right onto US-42. Go 1.75 miles and turn left onto Roxanna-New Burlington Road. After 1.5 miles, turn right onto Pence Jones Road (there is a small sign for Spring Valley Marsh). The first parking lot is 0.30 miles from this intersection (park here for the boardwalk). The parking lot for the main portion of the lake is located at the end of the road. Follow all the curves in the road and to the end which is located 1.25 miles from the intersection of Roxanna-New Burlington Road and Pence Jones Road.
From Columbus: Take I-71 South out of Columbus. Take Exit 45 for SR-73 and turn right. After 8.9 miles, turn right onto US-42. Go 5.60 miles and turn right onto Roxanna-New Burlington Road. After 1.5 miles, turn right onto Pence Jones Road (there is a small sign for Spring Valley Marsh). The first parking lot is 0.30 miles from this intersection (park here for the boardwalk). The parking lot for the main portion of the lake is located at the end of the road. Follow all the curves in the road and to the end which is located 1.25 miles from the intersection of Roxanna-New Burlington Road and Pence Jones Road.
Address:
None Available
Nearby Birding:
Caeser’s Creek State Park
Cowan Lake State Park