Southeast Indiana Birding Opportunities - Oxbow Nature Conservancy

The Oxbow Nature Conservancy is a rich floodplain landscape where the Great Miami River flows into the Ohio River, just outside Lawrenceburg, Indiana, and about seventeen miles downstream from Cincinnati.

At this unique confluence, where Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky meet, the Oxbow encompasses nearly 1,600 acres of river bottom farmland, lakes, ponds, and marshes. Its diverse wetlands and open fields provide outstanding habitat for wildlife.

Public access is limited to the west portion of the property, which offers plenty of opportunities to explore. Visitors are welcome to enjoy low-impact activities such as birdwatching, hiking, paddling, and photography. Oxbow Road, a gravel access road through the center of the property, provides entry to key viewing areas. One viewing area is the 1.3-mile Osprey Lake Nature Trail, which winds through prairie and woodland habitats with views of Osprey Lake. 

The Oxbow is especially renowned for its birdlife. As an important staging area during migration, it serves as a vital stopover for birds traveling between northern breeding grounds and southern wintering areas. Seasonal water levels and abundant food attract large flocks of ducks, geese, herons, shorebirds, raptors, and songbirds. To date, birders have documented 292 species in the area, making the Oxbow one of the most significant birding destinations in the tri-state region.a

American White Pelicans are a frequent and unforgettable sight, often gathering on lakes and sandbars during migration. Bald Eagles and Sandhill Cranes are striking visitors. Double-crested Cormorants, Great Blue Herons, Great Egrets, Black-crowned Night Herons, and Green Herons are common in marshy areas, while Piping Plover, Common Loon, and Red-necked Grebe are rarer waterbirds occasionally observed. 

Shorebirds often seen in the wetlands and along shorelines include Spotted Sandpiper, Least Sandpiper, Wilson's Snipe, Lesser Yellowlegs, Solitary Sandpiper, Short-billed Dowitcher, Long-billed Dowitcher, and Virginia Rail. 

Wooded and prairie-edge habitats support species such as Prothonotary Warbler, Orchard Oriole, Yellow-breasted Chat, Indigo Bunting, Song Sparrow, Common Yellowthroat, and American Goldfinch, which are frequent and colorful residents or migrants in these areas.

Whether for wildlife viewing, quiet exploration, or a glimpse of one of the Midwest’s most dynamic wetlands, the Oxbow’s west property offers a unique and rewarding outdoor experience.

eBird Hotspot Link:
ebird.org/hotspot/L140462

Total Birding Time: 1-3 Hours

Best Times to Bird:  Birding is productive throughout the year, with migration periods offering especially high diversity as large numbers of waterfowl, shorebirds, raptors, and songbirds move through the area.

LAWRENCEBURG WEATHER

Address:
17160-17278 Reardon Dr
Lawrenceburg, IN 47025

Ownership: Oxbow, Inc.
Admission: Visitors are welcome during posted hours (dawn to dusk).
Restrictions: Camping, fires, overnight parking, and swimming are prohibited in the Oxbow Nature Conservancy. Hunting occurs only in a designated area separate from the public access section, with limited permits issued on a first-come basis. Bank fishing is the only fishing permitted in the public portion and requires an appropriate license. Conservation officers monitor fishing activity.
Parking: Parking is available at both entrances of the Oxbow and at the Overlook near Osprey Lake Trail. Visitors should park in designated areas only.
Nearby Amenities: Lodging, gas, food, and other recreation opportunities are located in Lawrenceburg, Indiana. Additional amenities can be found in Cincinnati, Ohio, and Northern Kentucky.
Accessibility: Trails and viewing areas on the west property include natural surfaces, gravel roads, and uneven terrain.
Website: oxbowinc.org
Phone Number: 812-290-2941

Written by: Jessica Martini
Photo by: Gayle Pille