Maumee State Forest (Oak Openings Loop)
Due to the relative lack to forested cover in this region, Maumee State Forest can be especially good for songbirds in migration. Large numbers of Sandhill Cranes can pass through the area in late fall and early winter, and this is a good area to watch for Northern Harrier, Rough-legged Hawk, and Short-eared Owl in winter.
Key Species by Season
Spring
- Chestnut-Sided Warbler
- Broad-Winged Hawk
- White-Eyed Vireo
Summer
- Barred Owl
- Veery
- Ovenbird
Fall
- White-Crowned Sparrow
- Purple Finch
- Blackpoll Warbler
Winter
- Common Redpoll
- Pine Siskin
- Long-Eared Owl
At-a-Glance
88 - Maumee State Forest
Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Forestry
3390 County Rd. D
Swanton, OH 43558
419.822.3052
Public Access
Open daily, 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Amenities
Hiking Trails, Equestrian Trails, Restrooms
Driving Directions
Maumee State Forest is located at the borders of Fulton, Henry, and Lucas counties, just to the south of Swanton on County Road D.
What to Look For
The forest is a patchwork of parcels, often disconnected from one another, that totals about 3,100 acres and covers parts of Fulton, Henry, and Lucas counties. Obtaining a map from the Division of Forestry--one can be downloaded from the website listed--is essential to determining the locations of various forests tracts. Some of the best habitat for forest breeding birds in northwest Ohio is found in Maumee State Forest. Nesting warblers include Black-and-white, Chestnut-sided, Hooded, Kentucky, Mourning, and Pine warblers. Old red and white pine plantations sometimes harbor Blue-headed Vireo and Red-breasted Nuthatch. Wetter woods sometimes host Veery, and Broad-winged and Red-shouldered hawks nests in the larger forest tracts.
Due to the relative lack to forested cover in this region, Maumee State Forest can be especially good for songbirds in migration. Large numbers of Sandhill Cranes can pass through the area in late fall and early winter, and this is a good area to watch for Northern Harrier, Rough-legged Hawk, and Short-eared Owl in winter.
Natural Features
The forest lies on the western edge of the Oak Openings region, and extensive prairies covered much of the area historically. Watch for prairie plants in ditches and open meadows. Some of the more unusual species include Great Lakes goldenrod (Euthamia remota), fringed gentian (Gentianopsis procera), and wood lily (Lilium philadelphicum). Blanding's and spotted turtles are sometimes found in wet areas.
Local Resources
About the Oak Openings Loop
The Oak Openings is legendary for the diversity of rare plants that occur here. The highly specialized habitats that comprise this ecosystem support more species of state-listed rare plants than any other region of Ohio.
The defining feature of the Oak Openings is sand. This unique region is situated on the former shores of preglacial Lake Warren, modern day Lake Erie’s much larger predecessor. As Lake Warren receded, it left its dunes and beach ridges in its wake, and these sands are now carpeted with oak savannas, dry prairie, and wet sedge meadows in low-lying areas.
What To Look For
The Oak Openings buffers the western end of Lake Erie, and lies just west of Toledo. The sandy prairies, wet sedge meadows, and oak savannas of this highly specialized ecosystem once covered about 300 square miles; today, only about 130 square miles remain. This region contains the best habitats to be found in the northwestern corner of Ohio, and many bird species breed in the Oak Openings that are difficult or impossible to find elsewhere in this region. The Oak Openings is also known for its fall hawk flights. Raptors streaming around the western end of Lake Erie funnel through this area, sometimes in large numbers. The largest kettle of Broad-winged Hawks recorded in Ohio was seen near Perrysburg – about 20,000 birds on September 18th, 2002.
Noteworthy Rarities
A number of species breed in the Oak Openings that are a challenge to find elsewhere in northern Ohio, such as Eastern Whip-poor-will, Summer Tanager, and on occasion, Blue Grosbeak. The premier breeding rarity is the Lark Sparrow; the Oak Openings population is the easternmost in this species’ range. Other western species, such as Clay-colored Sparrow and Western Meadowlark, have bred or attempted to breed in this area as well. Golden Eagles are regularly spotted in migration, and good numbers of winter finches can occur. The last Ohio record of Pine Grosbeak came from the Oak Openings, in winter 2007-08. The total species list for the loop is about 300, and three of those – Atlantic Puffin (only Ohio record), Black-billed Magpie, and Mountain Bluebird – have been found only in this region.
Natural Features
The Oak Openings is legendary for the diversity of rare plants that occur here. The highly specialized habitats that comprise this ecosystem support more species of state-listed rare plants than any other region of Ohio. A great diversity of animals lives in these plant communities. Spotted turtles, blue racers, and blue-spotted salamanders are just a few of the unusual animals that can be found. The poster child for rare Oak Openings animals is the tiny Karner blue butterfly, a federally endangered species. It depends in part on rare wild lupine plants that flourish in the Oak Openings savannas.
3390 County Rd. D, Swanton, OH 43558
