Oxbow Field Trips

Field Trips

Unless otherwise indicated, all trips start at the upper Oxbow parking lot. To reach the upper Oxbow parking area, go south on US Hwy 50 from the I-275 #16 exit. In about 200 yards, turn left (east) at the edge of the Circle K (between the Circle K and Waffle House) and go over the levee to where the road T’s with a fence directly in front of you. Turn right and go to the Oxbow entrance sign. Turn left into the Oxbow. The upper parking area is immediately on the right. You can also use Google Maps and search for "Oxbow Nature Conservancy".

Summer Nature Walk; Botany, Breeding Birds and Butterflies — Sunday, June 22, 2025, 8:00 AM

Meet: In the upper Oxbow parking lot at the main entrance to the Oxbow

Leader: Kathy McDonald, 513-748-0281, mkathymcdonald@gmail.com

Join our trip leader Kathy McDonald for a pleasant early summer morning walk which will emphasize the overall nature of the Oxbow area primarily focusing on plants, breeding birds and butterflies. Kathy, a skilled naturalist with an interest in all aspects of nature, is also a longtime Oxbow Inc. advocate who knows the Oxbow area very well. Kathy was a founder of the Midwest Native Plant Society and is a recent past president and current director of that organization. She has also served on the local Audubon Society and is an Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist.

During June birds are abundant and almost all of them are involved in nesting and breeding activities. You may be surprised that over a hundred species of birds regularly breed within the Oxbow area or in close proximity (Shawnee Lookout). On this trip we can expect to see or hear many species of birds including water birds, raptors (including eagles), and a host of songbirds including warblers, vireos, orioles, tanagers, flycatchers, grosbeaks and buntings and lots more. June is also the peak singing period and the morning chorus of bird songs will be quite vocal, giving us a great chance to track them down and get a look.

Because of Kathy’s strong background in botany, plants will also be prioritized, identified, and Kathy will point out native and invasive plants. She also has a great interest in butterflies and at this season we should see several species. Kathy’s plan is to take a leisurely walk in the Oxbow, looking for birds, butterflies and pointing out interesting plants. Later in the morning Kathy may decide to move to other areas of the Oxbow area depending on the time and reports closer to the date of the trip.

Most of this trip will be on foot with some short drives from spot to spot. Walking will be easy to moderate and at a naturalists pace. The trip will end around noon. Remember that June can be hot by mid-morning. You may want to wear a hat and bring water, sun screen and insect repellent. Binoculars are necessary for seeing small birds. There are no restrooms in the Oxbow but they are available nearby. If you have any questions, feel contact Kathy.