More on the Castalia "Blue Holes"

Geologically these holes remain open year round because of the large amount
of water in the form of "springs" that come above ground at ground
temperature (~ 50 some degrees F.)

Actually there at least 4 of them (maybe more) if one considers the "duck
pond" in downtown Castalia as a blue hole.  Most birders visit the "pond"
in winter when the nearby marshes and Sandusky Bay freezes up pond never
freezes, although food may be scarce there except for human handouts.
Otherwise, birding-wise the immediate area is pretty much small "village"
America.  It is located at 41D 23' 57.13"N, 82D 48' 17.71"W.
See the OOS description, the link of which is in this thread.

Interesting to botanists (bryologists) is a very rare, totally submerged
aquatic "true" moss Fontinalis sphagnifolia
<http://ohiomosslichen.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Fontinalis-sphagnifolia.jpg>
(identified by one of my bryologist friends) which grows in the outlet
stream of the pond and can be seen from west side of the northernmost
bridge on SR 269 on the north side of town.  It forms wavey masses that
might be up to a foot in diameter and a foot or more long and attached to
the rocks on the stream bottom.  Most persons would think it just another
aquatic weed but it is a real moss "gem"

The "real" Blue Hole was a private, commercial "attraction" located on the
north edge of Castalia and east of SR 269. There is a stone entrance still
there (I think)  but the hole has been closed to public for 40 years or
more as I recollect. It was indeed just small ~30' hole in someones
backyard, although probably somewhat deep, filled with oxygenless and thus
fishless but yes blue-appearing water.  Location 41D 24' 22.02"N, 82D 48'
25.17"W.

The "Hatchery Blue Hole" was the former property of the Castalia Fish Club,
now owned and operated by the Ohio Divisions of Wildlife. The more or less
concreted runs/stream are almost always filled with hatchery trout from
fingerlings to trophy-sized. It is a gated property but there are visiting
hours. Location of the actual "hole" 41D 24' 37.73"N, 82D 48' 11.67"W. The
entrance is off Heywood Road which is north of Castalia on the east side of
SR 269.  Trout fishing is available, but it is by permit (lottery
obtained?) and during limited times of year and hours.  I don't think
birding visits are a problem during open hours.

Lastly, there is the little known DOW public hunting area a.k.a. the
"Millers Blue Hole" located about 6 miles west of Castalia on the south
side of US Route 6 (as the crow flies). It is back a lane (more or less)
about 6/10's of a mile from 41D 24' 44.26"N, 82D 54' 20.59"W.  I last
visited the site in 1961 (during a limnology class), so I have no idea what
the conditions are except via Google Earth.  It was a trailless ~ 10 acre
patch of trees/brush (now woods?) with a small blue hole in the center.
The water is located at 41D 24' 18.5"N, 82D 54' 29.4"W.

As to birding possibilities, I would recommend the Resthaven Wildlife Area
during any time of year for both botanically and for land and waterbirds
and the "duck pond" during the dead of winter freeze-up (the colder the
better) for waterfowl only.  However, I have never birded the other 2 areas.

Roger Troutman
Mansfield, Ohio


On Tue, Jun 3, 2014 at 11:13 AM, Paul Gardner <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> Castalia Pond is also written up on The Ohio Ornithological Society's
> website. The direct link is
>
> http://www.ohiobirds.org/site/library/sites/showsite.php?Site_ID=32
>
>
> In case it doesn't work, you can find it from the society's homepage by
> using the "Where to Watch Birds..." link on the right.
>
> The description of the pond has a seasonal guide. The description refers
> to the pond as a "blue hole", but this is not the blue hole of the fish
> hatchery. They are different places.
>
> Paul Gardner
> Columbus, OH
>
>
> ________________________________
>  From: Michele Skolmutch <[log in to unmask]>
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Sent: Tuesday, June 3, 2014 9:41 AM
> Subject: Re: [Ohio-birds] Castalia
>
>
> There is a small pond in the town of Castalia that stays warm all year
> round and is a great place to see waterfowl - especially in the winter. It
> is at the edge of town and surrounded by houses so I'm not sure what type
> of bird life - outside of waterfowl - you would see there at this time of
> year. It's definitely worth a few visits during the cooler months.
>
> The former Blue Hole is now the Castalia State Fish Hatchery and is open 8
> am - 3 pm during the week. It is on the list of eBird Hot Spots for Ohio.
> Here's a link for more information from eBird.
> http://ohioebirdhotspots.wikispaces.com/Castalia+State+Fish+Hatchery
> <http://ohioebirdhotspots.wikispaces.com/Castalia+State+Fish+Hatchery>
>
> Happy birding!
>
> Michele Skolmutch
> Holmes County, OH
>
>
> On Tue, Jun 3, 2014 at 8:46 AM, John Taylor <[log in to unmask]>
> wrote:
>
> > They were probably referring to the old Blue Hole which is not heated and
> > private. It is on the north side of Castalia on Rte 269 east side of the
> > road.
> >
> > Sent from my iPhone
> >
> > > On Jun 3, 2014, at 8:29 AM, Hayward Chappell <
> [log in to unmask]>
> > wrote:
> > >
> > > Any one familiar with Castalia? Friend told me of a deep pool of water
> > > there heated year round that is great for birding.
> > >
> > > Thanks-
> > >
> > > Hayward Chappell
> > > Lawrence County
> > >
> > > --
> > > Hayward Chappell
> > > 766 Private Rd. 3952
> > > Willow Wood, OH 45696
> > >
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