Miami County is located within the Till Plains ecoregion. The Great Miami River splits the county from north to south, The Great Miami River Watershed drains south into the Ohio River (see Rivers of Miami County).

Places to Visit

The county has a number of excellent Odonata sites. The Great Miami River runs through the county from North to South, with many access points and several areas of adjacent bike paths.

• Brukner Nature Center is a private nature preserve with a variety of habitats: wooded seeps, a vernal wetland with a boardwalk, ponds, and the Stillwater River, making it an great odonata location. The Stillwater River is usually wadable. 25 species have been recorded here including Gray Petaltail, Dragonhunter, Great Spreadwing. It has a nature center, restrooms, parking, and multiple trails. BNC has an admission fee.

• Farrington Reserve provides 2,500 feet of access to the Great Miami River. The river is frequently wadable with gravel bars and emergent rocks. 43 species have been observed, and it is a good spot to find spring Clubtails and summer River Cruisers. Parking is off of Peterson Road. A bike path runs north to the town of Piqua and south to Twin Arch Reserve, which has a fishing pond and river access. 20 species have been observed. The parking lot is across from Upper Valley Medical Center on N. County Rd 25A. Both locations sometimes provide a commode restroom.

• Garbry Big Woods Reserve (6660 Casstown-Sidney Road Piqua) is a wet woods with a boardwalk. It connects to Garbry Big Woods Sanctuary (2540 E. Statler Road, Piqua), which has a creek (Lost Creek), vernal wetlands, walking trails, and ponds. 30 species have been recently identified here. Expect typical pond and stream species at the fishing pond area. The Sanctuary has woodland species, including Swamp Darner. Both locations have parking, the Reserve has a restroom facility.

• Greenville Falls State Scenic River Area Greenville Creek cascades over a 20' drop before joining the Stillwater River. There is parking and walking paths on either side of the the creek.  Water access is limited, but typical stream species have good populations. 11 species have been observed, including 4 species of Dancer. Restrooms are available.

• Maple Ridge Reserve  has 3 ponds and Stillwater River access. Coy Pond and Wildlife Pond are surprisingly good for Odonata. Comet Darner, Spangled Skimmer, Blue Corporal are commonly observed in season. The upland pond has spring Odes but is small and quickly algae-covered. River access is limited, but wadable at low water. Maple Ridge has parking and commode restroom. A walking path goes from Maple Ridge to the neighboring Stillwater Prairie.

• Stillwater Prairie Reserve has several wetland areas, 2 ponds, and a floodplain wetland. The ponds support typical species in good numbers. and access to the Stillwater River is wadable with emergent rocks. Access is best from the Rangeline Rd entrance. This location also has parking and restrooms.  Between the 2 adjacent properties, 38 species have been observed.

• Stillwater River Water Trail Map shows access points, and facilities for Greenville Creek and Stillwater River.

• The Great Miami River Water Trail Map provides guidance on access and facilities for the Great Miami.

County Observation Activity

This graph shows the total number of odonata observations for the county in blue, with the average for all Ohio counties in orange. The season is divided into 10 or 11 day segments by Month – basically early-month, mid-month, and late-month.