Lakeside Daisy State Nature Preserve (Sandusky Bay Loop)
This 19-acre preserve was established to protect one of the rarest plants in the U.S., the federally-threatened Lakeside daisy. Birding can be surprisingly good in migration, as Lake Erie is less than one mile away.
Key Species by Season
Spring
- Sharp-Shinned Hawk
- Wilson's Warbler
- Rose-Breasted Grosbeak
Summer
- Indigo Bunting
- Red-Tailed Hawk
- Song Sparrow
Fall
- Savannah Sparrow
- Carolina Wren
- American Pipit
Winter
- Red-Tailed Hawk
- Yellow-Rumped Warbler
- Eastern Screech-Owl
At-a-Glance
56 - Lakeside Daisy State Nature Preserve
Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Natural Areas and Preserves
Alexander Pike, off State Route 163
on the Marblehead Peninsula
419.445.1775
Public Access
Open daily, dawn until dusk
Driving Directions
Located in Ottawa County south of Marblehead on the Marblehead Peninsula on the east side of Alexander Pike (Township Road 142), 0.5 mile south of SR 163.
What to Look For
This 19-acre preserve was established to protect one of the rarest plants in the U.S., the federally-threatened Lakeside daisy. Although the preserve looks like a rough, rocky lunar landscape, it is painted in yellow in May when the daisies bloom. There are many other rare plants in the preserve, too. Birding can be surprisingly good in migration, as Lake Erie is less than one mile away. Fallouts of songbirds are of regular occurrence in the trees along Alexander Pike, and sometimes large numbers of birds are observed dropping into the trees at dawn in September migration. The open vistas from the preserve are great for hawk-watching, especially in fall, and Merlin, Broad-winged Hawk, Bald Eagle, and other raptors can be expected.
Natural Features
In addition to the Lakeside daisy, at least 14 other species of state-listed rare plants have been found in the preserve. One of the more interesting of these, the tiny Great Plains ladies'-tresses orchid (Spiranthes magnicamporum) blooms during the peak of fall songbird migration.
A nearby site that is well worth a visit is Meadowbrook Marsh. This 33-acre parcel features wetlands and large trees, and can be a great spot for migrant songbirds. Various herons and waterfowl use the marsh and open water areas. From Lakeside Daisy State Nature Preserve: Head south on Alexander Pike, the turn right (west) on East Bayshore Road. Proceed about three miles and the parking lot will be on the right (north) side of the road. Website: Danbury Township.
Local Resources
Lake Erie Shores & Islands
Marblehead Peninsula Chamber of Commerce
ODNR Division of Natural Areas and Preserves
About the Sandusky Bay Loop
The massive Sandusky Bay is the most conspicuous bay on Ohio’s Lake Erie shoreline. State Route 2 passes over the bay via a bridge that is over 2.5 miles in length, and is crossed by many of the nearly 7 million visitors each year. This region of Lake Erie is renowned for its marshes and the tremendous numbers of waterfowl that occur in migration. Historically, vast wet prairies occurred, remnants of which still exist.
The most prominent bridge along Ohio’s Lake Erie shoreline is the State Route 2 span over massive Sandusky Bay. Historically, the bay was ringed with mixed-emergent marshes and prairie wetlands, most of which have been destroyed. However, large marshlands are still protected and provide some of the most important bird habitat along Lake Erie. Sandusky Bay and vicinity is a very important stopover area for migratory waterfowl. The total species list for this loop is 313, and three of them – Black-bellied Whistling-Duck, Magnificent Frigatebird, and Ancient Murrelet – have only been found in this region.
What To Look For
The massive Sandusky Bay is the most conspicuous bay on Ohio's Lake Erie shoreline. State Route 2 passes over the bay via a bridge that is over 2.5 miles in length, and is crossed by many of the nearly 7 million visitors that come to the Sandusky Bay region each year. This region of Lake Erie is renowned for its marshes and the tremendous numbers of waterfowl that occur in migration. Historically, vast wet prairies occurred, especially along the southern reaches of Sandusky Bay. While most of these prairies have been lost, remnants still exist, such as Resthaven Wildlife Area.
Noteworthy Rarities
The total species list for this loop is 313, and three of them—Blackbellied Whistling-Duck, Magnificent Frigatebird, and Ancient Murrelet— have only been found in this region. Many other rare birds have been seen here, including Eurasian Wigeon, Tricolored Heron, Western Tanager, and White-faced Ibis.
Natural Features
The largest remaining marshes in Ohio buffer the western end of Lake Erie. In addition to supporting tremendous numbers and diversity of birds, these wetlands also harbor many other animals and an impressive diversity of plants. Species of plants that are now threatened or endangered, such as wild rice and bullhead-lily, can still be found. Two interesting reptiles that can be found are the Blanding’s turtle and Eastern fox snake, both of which are largely confined to the western Lake Erie shoreline in Ohio. Large numbers of dragonflies of many species live in the marshes, and occasionally rare migrant dragonflies are found, such as the striped saddlebags.
Alexander Pike, off State Route 163 on the Marblehead Peninsula
