Birding in Sidney & Shelby County, Ohio

Find a Prime Location To View Your Favorite Species

Birding in Ohio is a popular activity for both the serious enthusiast as well as those who simply enjoy a leisurely stroll in the woods. In Sidney and Shelby County, those with an affinity for birding will find a number of prime locations from which to view their favorite species.

Birds You Could See

What You Can Expect To See

The best sanctuary for birding in Shelby County, Ohio, is Lake Loramie State Park, located in nearby Fort Loramie. Just 20 minutes from Sidney, Lake Loramie is ideal for hiking, biking, kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, and fishing. Birding enthusiasts will find a wonderful variety of species year-round, but the best seasons for viewing are during the south-to-north migration in May/June and the north-to-south migration in September/October.

Many species of birds common to this area include:

Cardinal
Sparrow
Oriole
Robin
Blue Jay
Finch
Mallard

Wood Duck
Red Headed and Pileated Woodpeckers
Blue Heron
Turkey Vulture
Red Tailed, Red Shouldered, Sharp Shinned, and Coopers Hawk

Other less common but often-found species include:

King Fisher
Osprey
Red Belly Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Yellow and Yellow Throated Warbler
Turkey

Northern Harrier
Wood Thrush
Brown Thrasher
Short Eared and Great Horned Owl

Other great locations for birding are Sidney’s Tawawa Civic Park, Sidney’s Canal Feeder Trail, and nearby Lockington Reserve. Here too you’ll find all of the birds common to west central Ohio, plus several of the other “less common” varieties listed above.

Pro Tip:

Brent Grieves is a wonderful friend to the Sidney Visitors Bureau, an avid birder, and an accomplished photographer. He can be found regularly in the woods and along this region's waterways, enjoying nature and capturing some of the most beautiful outdoor and wildlife images imaginable. To stay updated with birding activity in our area, we encourage you to follow Brent on Facebook and Instagram.

Sharing the Lake Loramie habitat are a number of mammals you’ll likely see during your visit. Of course, Squirrel, Raccoon, Possum, and White Tail Deer are common, but chance encounters with Red Fox, Coyote, Mink, Musk Rat, and Beaver are also possible for the quiet and careful observer.

And YES, Shelby County is home to Bald Eagles, Osprey, and American White Pelicans too! Look for them at Lake Loramie State Park or along the Great Miami River.