Bird species of interest at Rockbridge are:

Watch nesting Prothonotary Warblers between miles 8 8.5. Other birds to look out for include Bluebirds, Cardinals, Wood Ducks, Wild Turkey, Red-tailed Hawks, Turkey Vultures, Yellowthroats, Indigo Buntings, Pileated Woodpeckers and many more.

Cedar Waxwing

Baltimore Oriole

About the Area:

Rockbridge State Nature Preserve is located in Hocking County  near Lancaster, Ohio on Dalton Road (Township Road 503) off of U.S. Route 33 approximately 1 1/2 miles southeast of Rockbridge.  The preserve is home to Ohio’s largest natural rock-arch bridge spanning nearly 100 feet as it arches nearly 50 feet above the stream below.

Hikers will begin their journey along a narrow fenced corridor past elderberry groves, numerous pawpaw trees, a small wetland area, and a wooded fence line that looks out over pastured grassland.  Upon reaching the summit of a large hill, one has a commanding view of the old Teays River Valley to the southwest while to the north the hillside leads down to the Hocking River Valley. 

As the trail continues, one passes through reverting woodland habitat of wild Cherry, Tulip, Hawthorn, Sassafras, and Virginia Pine.   The woodland opens to a more mature riparian forest of Maple, Elm and Musclewood along a small tributary stream that leads to the natural bridge.  Just past the bridge, the trail continues down to the Hocking River floodplain full of Sycamore and Box elder.  Returning to the bridge, the trail ascends a steep hill and follows a ridge of mature Maple, Beech, Oak, and Hickory.  A second loop trail leads hikers along hillsides of typical Hocking County forest past a small rock shelter on yet another small tributary to the Hocking River.  Spring wildflowers abound along the 2 ½ miles of trail and river bottom.

With the various habitats encountered including open grass land, old field, fencerow, wetland / floodplain and forest in various stages of maturity, Rockbridge understandably offers tremendous bird diversity.  Some of the more notable species include nesting Northern Orioles and Orchard Orioles, Scarlet Tanagers and Summer Tanagers, Brown Thrashers, Mockingbirds, Catbirds, Great Crested Flycatchers, Rough-winged and Tree Swallows, Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, Phoebes, Eastern Wood Pewees, Cedar Waxwings, Wood Thrush, several woodpeckers, as well as numerous species of sparrows, vireos and warblers.  Along the river, one can expect to encounter Green-backed Herons and Great Blue Herons, and several species of ducks. 

Directions:

Located in Hocking County near Lancaster, Ohio1 1/2 miles from Rockbridge southeast on U.S. Route 33; proceed south on Crawford-Starner Road (Township Road 504); then turn immediately east on Dalton Road (Township Road 503) and proceed 1/2 mile to dead end. Parking and trail system are available.