Geauga Park District

December 27, 2018 by Staff Report

For more information on these programs, contact the park district at 440-286-9516 or visit them online at www.geaugaparkdistrict.org.

Going the Otter Way for Winter Wildlife

Dec. 30, 2-4 p.m.

Hike the new Duane Ferris Nature Trail at Eldon Russell Park with naturalist Dan Best and explore various habitats for signs of otter, mink, muskrat, beaver, deer, wild turkey and other winter wildlife.

No registration is required. The park is located at 16315 Rapids Road in Troy Township.

New Year’s Eve Nature Celebration

Dec. 31, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Celebrate New Year’s Eve at the new Claridon Woodlands with fun activities for all ages. There will even be a “toast” at noon. Pizza and beverages provided. Program is mostly indoors, but may be partially outdoors if weather permits. Registration required.

Ice Science Drop-In

Jan. 3, 1-3 p.m.

Stop by The West Woods for some hands-on, ice-themed educational fun.

Ice has an amazing story to tell. Kids (and their adults) can drop in the West Woods Nature Center anytime during program hours for some hands-on exploration of the science of ice.

If weather conditions are right, some ice investigation will take place outdoors. Registration is not required.

Winter Birding

When it comes to guided birding this winter in Geauga Park District, there is truly something for everyone – from active counting to the most casual of observation.

Put one’s name on the Bird Banding Hotline call list to be notified when naturalists decide to throw up a mist net at The West Woods Nature Center and do some banding at the feeders between 8 a.m. and noon.

Park district-collected results during two international bird counts this winter will fuel conservation action and research: the Burton Christmas Bird Count on Jan. 5, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at The West Woods Nature Center; and the Great Backyard Bird Count on Feb. 15, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Swine Creek Reservation’s lodge, as well as Feb. 15 and 16, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., at The West Woods Nature Center. Stop in to help park staff volunteers count.

To enjoy a cup of coffee and some more casual bird observation, attend Coffee with the Birds on Jan. 12, from 9 to 11 a.m., at The West Woods Nature Center, or Feb. 23, from 1-3 p.m., at Swine Creek Reservation.

Join Cristin Smith from Nature’s Way Bird Products as she presents tips on feeding wild birds during Backyard Bird Feeding Basics on Jan. 12, from 9:30-10:30 a.m., at The West Woods Nature Center. The beginners program will cover types of feeders, seed to use and the best combination to attract the widest variety of birds, plus easy squirrel-proofing, and include a raffle to win a free bird feeder.

AtBirding for Beginners on Feb. 3, from 1-3 p.m., at Swine Creek Reservation’s lodge, practice identifying the birds found at the feeders and then head out to see what birds can be found along the Squaw Root Trail.

Registration is not required for any of the programs, only the call list.