Is Ohio's Oak Openings A Hidden Birding Paradise?

[@markshen3280]

Good morning 🌅 to you from Hong Kong 🇭🇰 SAR. Yesterday was my first ‘LIFER’ as I walked up a hill and heard a bird sound nearby on a lower branch of a tree. I quickly went to observe it, and to my surprise, this bird is the first time I have ever seen / hear. It is a Maroon Oriole. What an excitement ! 😄😄😄😄😄This bird quickly disappeared as soon as it appeared.

[@BadgerlandBirding]

Congratulations!

[@donalexander6674]

I was there the week after the Biggest Week in Birding and got photos of two lifers; a Golden-winged Warbler and a Lark Sparrow.

[@BadgerlandBirding]

Definitely a great place for both of those species!

[@estanislaomongelos4024]

Hi, guys! Writing from Argentina! Mosquitoes are just an issue here. When I go to birding, repelent is an element necessary on my bag. We have a wet wether here on Buenos Aires. Great videos, keep on this! Bye!

[@BadgerlandBirding]

Thanks so much for watching! How are the birds in Argentina?

[@cathco9]

What a great location. You guys saw a lot. Thanks for sharing.

[@BadgerlandBirding]

@@cathco9 you’re welcome!

[@robmetzger8616]

Wow, cool place. Thanks for the heads up, you're showing an Ohio native an Ohio spot.

[@BadgerlandBirding]

@@robmetzger8616 nice! 👍

[@tvalkyrie]

Your Ohio birding series is so good! I appreciate you showing the boardwalk with the young birders, very educational for all ! 💕

[@BadgerlandBirding]

@@tvalkyrie thanks so much! More to come!

[@sylviamaulding2237]

The tour I was on in May 2019 birded Oak Openings. we had a good group of birds there.

[@jurassic_hobbyonmyaltaccou3878]

I also got absolutely hammered by mosquitoes today whilst getting my Lifer Icterine Warbler 😂 I’d say I’d was worth it though! Cool to see that Pileated woodpecker, I think I might have seen one in Yellowstone in 2018 but that was way before I started birding so I’m not counting it.

[@mindwolf80]

Tornado Alley and the lark sparrow field are must hits for anyone visiting BWIAB. Glad you got out there!

[@Chris_Wolfgram]

That place looks awesome 🙂 Lots of great birds ! Nice video 👍 Thanks guys 🙂

[@BadgerlandBirding]

Thanks for watching! It really was a very unique place

[@aurora571000]

Thanks for taking us along

[@BadgerlandBirding]

Our pleasure!

[@cdlong28]

I've been to Oak Openings several times looking for Red-headed Woodpeckers, I have family that lives just a few minutes away, and not had any luck. They're on ebird all the time so I just have terrible timing, I guess. Apparently I should look for Olive-sided Flycatchers and White-eyed Vireos too.

[@tammys376]

If you’re looking for red-headed woodpeckers, take the red trail starting at mallard lake towards the sand dunes, as soon as you cross old reed road, which is now just a paved trail, you’re entering their preferred habitat, continue on the red trail and do the loop you should see them. I worked as a Naturalist for 15 years there but moved in 2015, unless something has changed that’s where I saw them pretty much guaranteed every time I walked the red trail.

[@cdlong28]

@@tammys376 This is awesome advice. Thanks. Unfortunately I probably won't be out there until next July, but I'll certainly give it a shot then. Just to clarify, looking at the metroparks website, are you talking about the sand dunes loop that's red the whole way around on the map?

[@Florafauneando]

It seems to be a very interesting place to see birds. It doesn't surprise me too much, many times small reserves or parks near cities have a lot of habitat for birds and other animals to take refuge, several times they escape the deterioration of agriculture, pollution, deforestation and other disturbances. I have been in places that have these qualities, it even seems that birds prefer those new ecosystems

[@Kellysher]

This is about an hour from my house, but I’ve yet to make it there. It’s on my list! I’ve never seen the blue grosbeak, that would be a lifer for me. Nice work. I’ve been birding for about 4 years now. One thing that I love about the birding community is that most everyone is so friendly and helpful. It’s great to share this love of nature. I have to say that I do use Merlin often to assist me. I would love a way to have Merlin or other App on my smartwatch just recording/identifying as I hike and take pictures. Is there anything like that yet? It would be nice to not have to take my hands off the camera and use a phone!

[@NathanWebb-c5h]

That was fun to watch!

[@BadgerlandBirding]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Chickensandwich-o3t]

Good place in Ohio for my is most of the Columbus metro parks while some are better than others scioto grove,pickerton ponds,and battelle Darby creek are great

[@1coolkitty]

Loved the video and information provided! What time of year would you recommend traveling there?

[@BadgerlandBirding]

@@1coolkitty May for sure! If you want crowds and a cool atmosphere you should visit during the Biggest Week. If you want less crowds then I’d recommend the week before or after the festival. Although, Oak Openings wouldn’t be as crowded during the festival as some of the closer spots even during the festival.

[@1coolkitty]

@@BadgerlandBirding Thanks for the info! I appreciate you!

[@garymeredith2441]

That looks like a great place you want to they're Derek and Ryan I agree with you Derek sometimes the mosquitoes can really be a pain when that happens I usually just get back into the car and photograph from the car after all you're using a Sony 200 - 600 lens I can see there , you will be surprised at how many photos you can get from the car just be patient .

[@lindap9079]

Perhaps the birding was so good is because of the high mosquito population. I have semi-good results wearing citronella wrist bands, especially when I wear them on both wrists and ankles.

[@BadgerlandBirding]

From what we heard it’s normally pretty good there but I’m sure the warblers didn’t mind the extra food!

[@Beryllahawk]

Gotta say, I'm very slightly surprised y'all didn't bring some repellent with you... but perhaps I'm just too used to the swarms of mosquitoes and such down here in the South, haha. Seems like there's ALWAYS something that wants to bite or sting, all summer long.

[@BadgerlandBirding]

We used it! It did not help much

[@Beryllahawk]

@@BadgerlandBirding Oh that's the worst!

[@BK-db3gc]

Another terrific video. Thanks. It’s really great how you get us on so very many bird species in quick succession yet you very effectively name the bird, give a sound clip if you can and tell us an interesting fact or two about its behavior and or habitat. So very useful. The mosquito part was very unfortunate. I’ve really gotten in the habit of slathering insect repellant cream all over my face, neck and hands and then spraying my clothes as well. I use the easily available repellent lotions with 20% Picaridin solution. Inexpensive and very effective. I used a repellant “bracelet” with citronella oil on it that repels mosquitoes as well. I avoid DEET. “DEET can damage plastics, including watch crystals, eyeglasses frames, and contact lenses. It can also damage other rubber, vinyl, and elastic materials, as well as certain synthetic fabrics like rayon and spandex. DEET doesn't damage natural fibers like cotton and wool”. End of rant. Thanks again for all these wonderful videos. I love visiting all these hotspots with you virtually. Very informative!