After checking out we have a couple hours to burn before we have to drive back to the airport and return the car. So we decide to explore a few preserves on the south side of Sandusky Bay that are actually on the way back to Cleveland. First one is Willow Point Wildlife Area which seemed impressive based on the description on the festival website. Unfortunately when we arrive the reality is that it is only an access road that ends at a small parking area already occupied by a fisherman that looks at us suspiciously.
So we return and park halfway on the access road in the middle of a forest patch and this site seems more attractive as we can hear a few warblers. But they are quite skittish and in the end we only find a startling nest before giving up and moving on. Right past the unmarked police car that tries to catch speeders unaware, we have never seen so many speed traps as in Ohio. In fact as we learn they are leading the US states as being the state with the most speeding tickets per capita, not surprising.
The second stop is at the Blue Heron Reserve which is more promising. It has a large parking lot and even a toilet and the trail is an inviting boardwalk.
The only issue is that there is no shade and we are now in a heatwave. Still we decide to explore a bit soon reaching the information panel and a nestbox used by a cute tree swallow.
From here it is a loop but we decide to go in only till the pond to see if there is something interesting and if not to return. And nope, there is nothing interesting on the water or in the reeds as far as we can see so back we go.
On the way back we explore a bit more and even though we do not find any interesting birds in the trees we see one in the sky. Specifically a Broad-winged Hawk, the first of our Ohio trip. And then it is time to drive towards Castalia Quarry our next and last stop before returning to the airport for our flight.
