Despite its birding pre-eminence, Hoover Reservoir has mirrored the difficulties of the rest of Ohio and North America. Over the last several decades suburban sprawl has destroyed habitat throughout the area with the exception of the protected lands within the Hoover Nature Preserve. Even within the preserve increased human presence along the reservoir’s shore by fishermen has resulted in interference with birds that nest in the swamp forest. The final factor is the increased activity by the Westerville Rowing Club. The sculls have driven waterfowl numbers down over the last few years. Still, Hoover Reservoir and the Hoover Nature Preserve is an oasis in an ever widening sea of development.
The loss of forest and grasslands outside the preserve has had one silver lining. The birds that previously used those areas have come into the protected lands of the preserve. During migration the riparian corridors of the reservoir, Big Walnut Creek and Little Walnut Creek, are filled with color as wood warblers, vireos, tanagers, thrush and others feed during their march north. During the years 2006 through 2010, over 100 species were documented nesters.
Waterfowl make their presence known from fall through spring from the dam north to Galena. The numbers recorded when the dam was finished in 1956 were greater than today, as documented by the data recorded during the Hoover Reservoir Christmas Bird Counts and other records. Throughout the early years numbers were excellent but since have tapered off as development began along the shore and more boaters used the reservoir. However, the data for recent years indicate numbers are trending upward at the reservoir.
The final feather in Hoover Reservoir’s cap is its shorebird activity in the fall. Typically the water at the north end of the reservoir recedes during the fall months exposing vast mudflats from Galena south to the Sunbury Road Bridge. The boardwalk built at Area M in Galena provides great viewing of shorebirds from August through October. 2005 was a banner year along the northeast shore with extensive mudflats that produced 33 species of shorebirds including Hudsonian Godwit, Marbled Godwit, American Avocet, Whimbrel, Buff-breasted Sandpiper and more. The best activity was on the mudflats around Pelican Island.
I have to admit to being overly biased in my choice of the King of the Hill at Hoover – Prothonotary Warblers. 2010 marked my 24th year working with these beautiful golden gems of the wetland forest and shore. From humble beginnings in 1988, the nest box trail has grown to 250 boxes, and from a small base population the Prothonotary Warblers have expanded their presence from the creeks at the north end southward along both shores to the Sunbury Road Bridge, on the major islands and along the east shore past the Smothers Road Bridge.
Many birders post their finds at Hoover Reservoir on the Ohio Ornithological Society web site. Check the OOS site for current sightings and rare visitors.