Riperian Corridor Birds

In many areas of Ohio where the former woodlands have been reduced to small isolated woodlots (usually no more than 10 to 50 acres), the forested stream corridors extend for miles in an unbroken band and provide a large percentage of the woodland habitats required by so many species. This is particularly true for many of Ohio's breeding bird species.

The presence or absence of key indicator species is one way to assess the quality of the riparian forests found along Ohio's scenic rivers.

Riperian Corridor Birds of Ohio

Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodius)

Great blue heronMigrant and summer resident in Ohio

This species is commonly observed hunting for fish, frogs, and other amphibians around lakes, ponds, and streams statewide, particularly in the late summer and early fall after the young have left the nest.

Great blues nest in colonies ranging from only a few pairs to some with over 1,000 pairs. The largest colonies in Ohio are associated with the extensive wetlands of western Lake Erie while inland colonies in Ohio range from 10 to a few with over 200 nests.

In Ohio, nesting colonies are generally scattered throughout northern and southeastern Ohio at this time. Nesting colonies are scarce to absent in the southwestern part of the state.

Heronries are frequently found along some of the larger streams and rivers in Ohio and foraging herons are a fixture along almost any stream within several miles of a heronry.