The Underrated Local Park In Ohio Where You Can Watch For Barred Owls And Owlets
By Sarah McCosham|Published December 06, 2023
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Sarah McCosham
Author
I write like it's my job - because it is! I have a Master's in English and love words: crossword puzzles, Scrabble games, Wordle, and, of course, good, old-fashioned books.
I'm a writer and editor at OnlyInYourState, and a contributing writer at Cincinnati Magazine. I love the Great Outdoors and am endlessly awestruck by this beautiful country of ours. Coffee keeps me going, yoga keeps me sane, my kids keep me grounded, and my writing keeps me inspired.
There’s a world of wonder in Ohio, with native plants and animals found in abundance in all corners of the state. Central Ohio is particularly flush with flora and fauna; places like Hayden Run Falls Park and Gahanna Woods State Nature Preserve showcase some of the best of the Buckeye State. The birding is especially impressive in this region, with both state and city parks home to Ohio’s most captivating avian species. Inniswood Metro Gardens is one such place; this underrated local park in Westerville, Ohio, is home to a thriving population of barred owls and, in the spring, baby owlets.
The Buckeye State is known for its bucolic beauty, with so many glorious gardens and wooded wonderlands just waiting to be explored.
Those interested in getting up close and personal with nature have an array of inviting options: the forests and caves of Hocking Hills, the waterfalls of Cuyahoga Valley National Park, the wetlands in the Ohio River Valley, and the fertile farmland of Amish Country answer even the most insatiable kind of wanderlust -- and for folks who enjoy watching wildlife, there's an underrated park near Columbus that's a beloved local secret.
Inniswood Metro Gardens is a 123-acre oasis nestled within a nature preserve in Westerville, Ohio, and while locals know and love it, the park is undiscovered for many Ohioans.
Barred owls are one of Ohio's most common owls and take up residence in mature forest habitats, like Inniswood Metro Gardens. While primarily nocturnal, barred owls can also be heard calling in daylight hours -- especially on cloudy days -- and keen photographers are often able to catch this striking species on camera!
Wandering through Inniswood feels a bit like being transported to a dreamy Japanese garden, especially when water is trickling through the rock garden.
It's easy to visit parks and attractions and get caught up in our phones -- but look up! Especially at Inniswood Metro Gardens, because you might just spot a beautiful barred owl... or, you know, a cotton candy sunset!
Have you visited this glorious garden oasis in Westerville? If you’re hoping for a barred owl sighting in Ohio, you have great chances at Inniswood Metro Gardens, and even if you’re not into birding, this Ohio park is a delightful place to explore… so grab those binoculars and head to Westerville!
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