Sandy Ridge Reservation (Huron & Lorain Loop)
In its twelve years of existence, Sandy Ridge has accumulated an impressive roster of rarities. Unusual breeders include American and Least bitterns, Northern Harrier, Virginia Rail, Sora, Sandhill Crane, Sedge Wren, and Cerulean Warbler.
Key Species by Season
Spring
- American Bittern
- Greater Yellowlegs
- Northern Harrier
Summer
- Virginia Rail
- Ruddy Duck
- Common Moorhen
Fall
- Least Bittern
- American Wigeon
- Bald Eagle
Winter
- Bald Eagle
- Northern Harrier
- American Kestrel
At-a-Glance
34 - Sandy Ridge Reservation
Lorain County Metro Parks
6195 Otten Road
North Ridgeville, OH 44039
440.327.3626
Public Access
Open sunrise to sunset April through October, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. November through March
Amenities
Hiking Trails, Restrooms, Visitors Center, Picnic Area, Handicap Accessible Trails, Checklist Available, Sightings Board, Binocular Rentals
Driving Directions
Take Rt. 254 west, turn left on Case Road. Take Case Road to Otten Road and turn left. Drive to park entrance.
What to Look For
Sandy Ridge only opened in 1999, but its 310 acres have already become one of northern Ohio’s legendary birding areas. The site can be productive at any season, but it is especially known for the numbers and diversity of breeding birds. Sandy Ridge’s total list is nearly 250 species. Over 100 nesting species have thus far been recorded, including many regional rarities. Wooded areas can produce an excellent variety of songbirds in both spring and fall migration, and the wetlands often harbor lots of shorebirds in late summer and fall. At least twenty species of plovers and sandpipers have been documented. Winter brings raptors such as Northern Harrier, Rough-legged Hawk, and Short-eared Owl. Merlin and Peregrine Falcon are occasionally noted in fall migration.
An excellent trail system offers easy access to wetlands and other habitats. Updates on recent sightings are often posted at the Perry F. Johnson Wetland Center.
Noteworthy Rarities
Sandy Ridge has accumulated an impressive roster of rarities. Unusual breeders include American and Least bitterns, Northern Harrier, Virginia Rail, Sora, Sandhill Crane, Sedge Wren, and Cerulean Warbler. There are records for Cackling Goose, Eared Grebe, Little Blue Heron, and Red-necked Phalarope.
Natural Features
During warmer months, the wetlands are filled with huge number of dragonflies of many species. A profusion of wildflowers occurs along the woodland trails in spring, and the calls of spring peepers, western chorus frogs, and wood frogs are conspicuous sounds in April and May.
Local Resources
Lorain County Metroparks
Lorain County Visitors Bureau
About the Huron & Lorain Loop
Scores of serious birders flock to the sites on this loop. Some of Ohio's legendary "lake-watching" sites are here, such as the Huron Harbor West Pier and Sherod Park. Chances of finding a fall jaeger at these spots are about as good as anywhere in the state.
The section of Lake Erie between the cities of Huron and Lorain encompasses the “bottom of the bowl;” the southernmost curve of the lake. The fourteen sites in this region offer some of the finest birding in Ohio. The varied habitats include a power plant’s warm water outlet, sandy beaches, expansive woodlands, marshes, and reservoirs. The total species list for this loop is 325.
What to Look For
Some of Ohio's legendary "lake-watching" sites are on this loop, such as the Huron Harbor West Pier and Sherod Park. Chances of finding a fall jaeger at these spots are about as good as anywhere in the state. Lorain Harbor and vicinity has produced scores of rare birds, and is always interesting in peak migratory periods. If you can endure the cold, the open waters behind the power plant, adjacent to Miller Road Park, harbor outstanding duck and gull concentrations in the dead of winter.
Slightly inland are Oberlin and Wellington reservoirs; magnets for ducks. Nearly all of the common species can be found on their waters, and rarer birds such as scoters and Long-tailed Duck are regularly found. Findley State Park and Vermilion River Reservation are two sites that offer excellent woodland birding, and massive restored wetlands at Sandy Ridge Reservation have become famous for wetlands species such as bitterns, rails, and Sandhill Crane.
Noteworthy Rarities
There is a reason that scores of serious birders flock to the sites on this loop. This part of Lake Erie regularly produces vagrants and exciting rarities. Six species—Tufted Duck, Pacific Loon, Spotted Redshank, Heermann's Gull, Royal Tern, and Green-tailed Towhee—have only been at sites on the Huron and Lorain Loop. The records of the duck, redshank, gull, and tern are the only Ohio records.
Natural Features
Many of these sites on the Huron and Lorain loop are not "natural"; they are highly altered habitats that nonetheless offer great vistas of Lake Erie and in season can produce an abundance of birds. Old Woman Creek and Sheldon Marsh State Nature Preserve contain outstanding examples of undisturbed wetlands and beach. A number of rare animals and plants occur at these sites. Vermilion River Reservation flanks the visually stunning Vermilion River and offers a taste of big woods and forest diversity.
6195 Otten Road, North Ridgeville, OH 44039
