You are being Redirected to our new WEB SITE.... if more than 5 seconds.. click here... This 460-acre state nature preserve,
adjacent to Sawmill Creek Resort, within walking
distance, contains upland fields in various stages of succession, hedgerows, pine plantations, mature upland forest with an abundance of edge, swamp forest, cattail marsh, open marshlands, a barrier beach, and Lake Erie shoreline beaches.
Cattails and willow flourish here, along with
kingfishers, egrets and, blanding’s turtles. This superlative mix of habitats provides for one of
Ohio’s premiere birding locations. A walking trail runs through the hardwood successional plantings on the west side of the old Cedar Point roadway from the parking lot to the south edge of the mature woodland, or you can walk the old roadway through several distinct habitats on your way out to the lake. This area also features some observation platforms overlooking the marsh and a boardwalk, further north, that will take you west and out to the barrier beach. There is also another roadway along the east side of the preserve that provides excellent birding in the early morning. It is a full mile, south to north, from the parking lot to the Lake Erie shoreline.
"This nature walk was just so
relaxing, I loved when the children
squealed as the deer walked across our
path. The marsh and the beach are just
so beautiful!"
A boardwalk through an emergent wet woods gives access to the barrier beach.
Rare sightings
for Sheldon Marsh include: Snowy Owl, Golden-winged Warbler,
Piping Plover, Ruddy Turnstone, Black Tern, Purple
Sandpiper, Harris' Sparrow, Chuck-will's Widow, American
Woodcock, and Kirtland's Warbler.
Birds of
Interest - Seasonal Specialties
Winter:
In addition to the expected winter residents, Long-eared and
Saw-whet Owl may be found here.
Spring:
This is a very good location for warblers and other spring
migrants. A good variety of migrating waterfowl can also be
seen here from along the Lake Erie shoreline. Bald Eagles,
Osprey, gulls and terns are frequently seen in the area of
the marsh.
Summer:
Many species of woodland passerines are resident in the area
during the nesting season.
Fall:
Expect to see a good variety of migrating warblers here at
this time of the year. When lake levels allow for the
exposure of extensive mudflats, the northwestern portion of
this preserve is one of the premiere areas in the entire
state for observing migrating shorebirds.
General
Information For This Area
Closed hours/season:
This area is open dawn to dark, year around.
Parking Areas:
The parking area is near the entrance. Next to Sawmill Creek Resort or
you can use the Sawmill Creek Entrance within walking
distance from the hotel.
Fees/Permits:
No fees or permits are required.
Restroom Facilities:
Portable only.
Harmful insects, poisonous plants or animals:
Poison ivy.
Located
right off State Rt. 2 and 7 miles off the Ohio Turnpike!
Sheldon Marsh State Nature Preserve is the
last remaining Ohio example of a Great Lakes coastal
wetland. Sheldon Marsh contains Category III wetlands, the
highest quality designated by the Environmental Protection
Agency.
