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Wildlife Sightings

Spot some local wildlife? Tell us about it!

Use the form below – including photos, if you have them – to let us know the date, time and location of your sighting (be it in the parks or in your own backyard), as well as what type of wildlife you spotted and the behavior you observed.

Your regular reports will help populate this page for the enjoyment of your community of fellow Nature lovers and the interests of our Natural Resource Management team. Thanks in advance!

Please note that while this form does collect your name and contact information, those items will not be posted with your sighting, only used in case we need to contact you for additional details.

Report Your Findings

Step 1 of 4 - Sighting Date & Time

  • MM slash DD slash YYYY
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  • A variety of birds

    Date: May 23, 2022 at 9:40 pm

    Location: Swine Creek Reservation

    Wildlife Seen: various bird species Bird watching at Lodge Pond

    Behavior Observed:

    I saw a Gray Catbird; heard Black Capped Chickadees; heard Northern Cardinals; heard a White-Breasted Nuthatch; and heard an American Crow in just a short time by Lodge Pond. This data was submitted to “ebird,” Cornell University’s Laboratory of Ornithology.

    Naturalist's Response

    Thank you for your report, and for reporting to eBird — that’s great!

  • Deceased snake

    Date: May 15, 2022 at 5:33 pm

    Location: The Maple Highlands Trail

    Wildlife Seen: 1 Snake, 24-36 inches long, deceased

    Behavior Observed:

    While hiking The Maple Highlands Trail northwest of Middlefield, south of Tare Creek, I found a dead snake. I had never seen a snake with that coloring, size or pattern in Ohio before so I looked more closely and felt it might be an Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake after googling Ohio snakes. Unfortunately I did not get a picture of the tail and the head was smashed so it was not readily identifiable. I was wondering if the snake has been found in that area.

    Naturalist's Response

    The snake in question is a Northern Water Snake – a harmless, albeit defensive, and very common snake in our county. Being stocky and gray with dark blotches makes it the most similar snake in Ohio to an Eastern Massasauga, however, the blotch pattern differs between the two species. Northern Water Snakes have bands circling the body near the head which turn into alternating, but touching, blotches on the body. This pattern can be seen in your pictures. Eastern Massasaugas have blotches along the neck and body that never, or rarely, ever touch other blotches. Eastern Massasaugas are also highly endangered and have never been officially documented in Geauga County.

    Hope this answers your question, and feel free to contact me if you have any other snake inquiries!

    -Naturalist Andy Avram

  • Baltimore Orioles

    Date: May 02, 2022 at 5:30 pm

    Location: The Rookery

    Wildlife Seen: 2 Baltimore Orioles

    Behavior Observed:

    Looks like a mating couple of baltimore orioles. Saw a flash of goldish orange underbelly flying across path. The sun light lit him up like a bolt of lightning. Just beautiful to see.

  • Eastern Towhees

    Date: Apr 30, 2022 at 2:00 pm

    Location: Southern Munson Twp

    Wildlife Seen: 2 Eastern Towhee

    Behavior Observed:

    Pair appear to be looking for a nesting spot.

  • Bald Eagles

    Date: Jun 22, 2021 at 2:21 pm

    Location: 10684 Stafford Rd

    Wildlife Seen: 2 Bald Eagles

    Behavior Observed:

    One Eagle eating a dead opossum on the ground, while the second Eagle sits in a near by tree. After awhile they switch places.

  • Black Bear

    Date: Jun 13, 2021 at 5:15 pm

    Location: Parkman, Ohio - Forgehill Drive

    Wildlife Seen: 1 Bear

    Behavior Observed:

    Just strolling along with no worries in the world.

    Naturalist's Response

    Thanks so much for sharing! I live in Parkman, so this is exciting news!

    May we use your photo for our bear program? People always get a kick out of seeing local Geauga bears!

    If so, please email it to me at jkolar@geaugaparkdistrict.org

    Thanks so much,

    John

    Chief Naturalist

    Geauga Park District

  • Bald Eagles

    Date: May 06, 2021 at 4:00 pm

    Location: Across from Kinsman Road River access off Rt. 87

    Wildlife Seen: 2 Bald Eagles

    Behavior Observed:

    First sighting in the trees across from river access parking lot. The Eagles took flight and circled high in the air. Joined by up to 4 other birds, one of which may have also been an eagle. A short in-flight attack occurred twice by one of the small birds towards one of the Bald Eagles.

  • Gray Fox

    Date: Apr 26, 2021 at 6:00 pm

    Location: The West Woods

    Wildlife Seen: 1 Grey Fox

    Behavior Observed:

    A full grown fox was standing in the marshy, open area along the driveway. He stood about 30′ from the drive, staring at us, before wandering off into the thicket.

    Naturalist's Response

    Gray Fox

    (Gray Fox photo, Ohio Division Of Wildlife)

    Thanks for sharing your sighting!

    Though they’re spotted much less frequently than their cousins the Red Fox and Coyote, Gray/Grey Fox do live in woodlands and open brush land in northeast Ohio.

    (Locally, a roadkill fox was collected on SOM Center Road in 2018.)

    We’ll put up a trail camera and see what it spots!

    -Naturalist Chris Mentrek

  • Beaver

    Date: Apr 26, 2021 at 7:30 pm

    Location: The Maple Highlands Trail

    Wildlife Seen: 1 Beaver

    Behavior Observed:

    While looking out from one of the covered bridges, we spotted a beaver swimming downstream, away from us. He moved lazily and eventually swam out of view around a bend in the river.

  • Foxes

    Date: Apr 17, 2021 at 3:00 pm

    Location: my back yard in Gates Mills

    Wildlife Seen: 5 Fox

    Behavior Observed:

    Found a fox den on my property. 5 pups come out to play when it’s warm. I’ve seen Momma Fox trotting through the yard looking for food too!

    Naturalist's Response

    Wow, thanks for the wildlife sighting.

    Fox pups are so adorable. You’re so lucky to get a chance to watch them.

    I will tell you that the mother fox will relocate the den several times to protect the young from predators, so enjoy them while you can!

    -Naturalist Denise Wolfe