Hoover Reservoir
Columbus, OH
This 7.4 mile long reservoir is a great place for birding during all seasons.
Specialty Species:
Gulls: Many gulls can be found on the lake from the fall through the spring.
Waterfowl: This reservoir holds waterfowl from the fall through the spring and is one of the best places in central Ohio to find a wide variety of species.
Shorebirds: Shorebirds can be found on the mudflats at the northern end of the lake when the water is lower in the fall.
Warblers: Warblers can be found at various stops around the reservoir. Prothonotary Warblers can be found nesting around the lake.
Where to Bird:
- Dam
- Areas A, B, C, and D
- Mud Hen Marsh
- Baldridge Boat Ramp
- Oxbow Road
- Wiese Road (Area K)
- Dustin Road (Area L)
- Area M
- Area N
- Hoover Meadows
- East Walnut Street (Area T)
- The Soaring Fields (Area S)
- East Shore Yacht Club/Old Sunbury Road
Dam: The Dam is a great place to find waterfowl and gulls during the winter. If the main portion of the lake is frozen, walk along the dam and look down on the spillway as this area does not freeze. The area below the dam can also be good during migration for migrant passerines. You can get to this area by taking the road on the south side of the dam parking lot. In the winter, this area can be good for wintering species such as nuthatches, kinglets, and sparrows.
Areas A, B, C, and D: These are some of the best locations to stop along the west side of the lake to look for waterfowl and gulls. Scan the lake from the parking areas. A spotting scope is very helpful at these locations. Any of the other pull-offs along Sunbury Road can be good places to stop as well.
Mud Hen Marsh: This area’s parking is located on Big Walnut Road about 100 yards east of its intersection with Sunbury Road. Walk the trail to the observation blind looking for waterfowl, herons, and shorebirds in the marsh. You can also normally find nesting Red-headed Woodpeckers at this site.
Baldridge Boat Ramp: Check this site for waterfowl on the lake. Cliff Swallows also nest under the causeway that you can see from here.
Oxbow Road: This is another area to scan the lake from. It gives you a good view of the northern portions of the lake. Prothonotary Warblers nest in this area as well.
Wiese Road (Area K): There are many different species to look for from this location. It can be a great spot to observe passerine migration during the spring and fall. It is also another location to scan the lake from for waterfowl, gulls, terns, herons, and egrets. This are can also offer amazing shorebird migration if the mudflats are exposed in the fall. Park by the barrels and hike down the old road.
Dustin Road (Area L): Many species of passerines can be found along the old road. This is another area where you can view the mudflats from in the fall. Look for shorebirds, herons, and egrets on the flats. Also, hike along the down the old road that is no longer in use.
Area M: This is another area to check the mudflats from.
Area N: There are many species to be seen in this area at various times of the year. Warblers and many other passerines can be found along the old road in the spring and summer. In the fall, this site offers another view of the mudflats.
Hoover Meadows: This area offers some of the only grassland habitat around the lake. Check this area for sparrows, hawks, bobwhites, finches, and woodcocks among other grassland species.
East Shore Yacht Club/Old Sunbury Road: This area follows an old road for 1.5 miles to the lake. The road can be a great place to find passerines. At the end of the road you will see Pelican Island. The water around this island is a good place to look for waterfowl and cormorants.
Twin Bridges Boat Ramp: Scan the lake for waterfowl during the spring and fall.
The Soaring Fields (Area S): This is another grassland area near the lake. Check this area for the same species listed above under Hoover Meadows. Also, check the pine stand near the parking area for owls including the occasional Northern Saw-whet.
East Walnut Street (Area T): Check the lake from this area for waterfowl and gulls.
Suggested Route: The sites above are in the order that we would suggest visiting them. The following are directions to help you get from site to site.
Start at the dam on the southern end of the lake. After birding here, continue up Sunbury Road stopping at any of the overlooks that you would like to scan for waterfowl and gulls.
Turn left onto Big Walnut Road. The parking area for Mud Hen Marsh is located on the left side of the road after about 100 yards. When finished here, turn left back onto Big Walnut Road. Continue on to Tussic Street and turn right. Go to Oxbow road and turn right. This road dead ends at a parking lot and boat ramp.
Backtrack to Tussic Road and turn right. Take the next right onto South Old 3C Road. Turn right onto Weise Road and park by the large barrels. Go back to South Old 3C Road and turn right. Take the next left onto Dustin road. Park at the pull off in the first curve in to road by the old railroad bridge.
Turn around and go back to South Old 3C Road. Turn left. After crossing the bridge, take the next right onto Front Street then take the next right into the parking area for Area M.
Turn right from the parking lot and park in the next curve. And hike along the old road down to the water. Return to your vehicle and continue north on N Walnut Street. Take the first right back onto Sunbury Road. Proceed 1.8 miles and turn left into the parking area for Hoover Meadows.
When finished, continue south on Sunbury Road for 0.20 miles and park along the right side of the road by the chain-linked fence that is the entrance to East Shore Yacht Club. (Do not block the gate)
Continue south on Sunbury Road and continue onto Red Bank Road. Once on Red Bank Road, go 0.75 miles and turn right into Twin Bridge Boat Ramp. When finished, continue south on Red Bank Road.
Continue to follow the road as it curves left and becomes Gorsuch Road. Take the next right to get back onto Red Bank Road. This road then becomes Schott Road after crossing over Smothers Road. When the road comes to a T intersection, turn right onto East Walnut Street. The parking lot for the Soaring Fields is located on the right after 0.50 miles.
When finished, turn right back onto East Walnut Street. This street will end at a small parking lot for Area T.Hours:
None posted except for at Mud Hen Marsh and Hoover Meadows
Fees:
None
Accessiblity:
Most birding is done from your vehicle or the parking lots, but some areas are not accessible. There is a paved trail that goes all the way across the dam.
Trails:
Short trails are located at many locations around the lake.
Non-birding Equipment Needed:
- None
Lenght of Visit:
Half or full day visit is recommended
Map:
Website:
Directions:
From the North: From the intersection of SR-37 and SR-3 in Sunbury, take SR-3 South. After 8.5 miles, turn left (east) onto County Line Road. Go 2.5 miles and turn right (south) onto Sunbury Road. After 1.55 miles, turn left (east) into the dam parking lot.
From the South: From the intersection of New Albany Express/SR-161 and Sunbury Road, take Sunbury Road north. After 2 miles, turn right (east) into the dam parking lot.
Address:
None Available
Nearby Birding:
Alum Creek State Park
Delaware State Park and Wildlife Area