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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  • Sandhill Cranes

    Date: Feb 27, 2024 at 5:20 pm

    Location: The Maple Highlands Trail

    Wildlife Seen: 4 Sandhill Cranes

    Behavior Observed:

    The four Sandhill Cranes were wading in the water beneath a bridge.

  • Bald Eagle

    Date: Feb 05, 2024 at 7:00 pm

    Location: Shiloh Dr. Chesterland

    Wildlife Seen: 2 Bald Eagle

    Behavior Observed:

    Nest building

  • Black Bear

    Date: Jan 26, 2024 at 7:00 pm

    Location: Walter C. Best Wildlife Preserve

    Wildlife Seen: 1 Black Bear

    Behavior Observed:

    We live on 44 near Geauga hospital and there is aBlack Bear in the area. There are tracks up and down our fence and surrounding the smaller fenced area where we let our dog out.

  • Sandhill Crane

    Date: Oct 12, 2023 at 9:30 pm

    Location: Aquilla Lake

    Wildlife Seen: 4 Sandhill Crane

    Behavior Observed:

    Flying away, about to get shot at by hunters until the hunters saw me in my kayak

    Naturalist's Response

    If you ever see suspicious activity, please contact the ODNR Division of Wildlife and leave a message for the Wildlife Officer.

    Presently the Geauga County Wildlife Officer is Matt Madgar, who can be reached at 330-245-3035.

    -Naturalist Denise Wolfe

  • Fisher Cat

    Date: Oct 22, 2023 at 11:30 am

    Location: Stafford Road, between Munn and Haskins

    Wildlife Seen: 1 Fisher Cat

    Behavior Observed:

    Ran across the road

    Naturalist's Response

    Noted: Fisher Cats are a listed Species of Special Interest in Ohio, and increased sightings have been reported in our state over the past few years. Anyone with trail camera photos of this cat locally, please share them here!

  • Bald Eagles

    Date: Oct 12, 2023 at 8:00 pm

    Location: Sherman Road in Munson Twp

    Wildlife Seen: 2 Bald Eagles

    Behavior Observed:

    Observed 2 bald eagles sitting in tree across the street from our house on Sherman Road (approx. 500 feet west of Fowlers Mills Rd. on south side of road). They were about 50 feet up in the tree and we were about 300 feet away. Spotted about 4:00 p.m. Still there at 4:30 p.m. Gone by 5:00 p.m. Watched them through binoculars.

  • Hawk v Rabbit

    Date: Oct 05, 2023 at 10:30 pm

    Location: Veterans Legacy Woods

    Wildlife Seen: One of each Red-tailed Hawk/Cottontail Rabbit

    Behavior Observed:

    Naturalist Renell Roebuck led a group study of nature topics. Among the most interesting scenarios photographed was the biological phenomenon of predation. A Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis), the predator, killed and ate a Cottontail Rabbit (Genus Sylvilagus). Everyone who hikes through Geauga Park District properties should know something about the ecological process of predation.

  • Half/crescent moon

    Date: Dec 31, 1969 at 12:30 am

    Location: Observatory Park

    Wildlife Seen: One Astrophotograph Half/Crescent Moon

    Behavior Observed:

    Naturalists Karie Wheaton and Chris Mentrek led a group study of the night sky and astronomy topics. The Elderberries group was given the opportunity to view the crescent/half moon, the planet Saturn and other very interesting astronomical phenomena through telescopes. Some attendees used the cameras on their phones to take astrophotographs.

  • Honey mushrooms

    Date: Sep 17, 2023 at 8:30 pm

    Location: The West Woods

    Wildlife Seen: Many different types Wild mushrooms

    Behavior Observed:

    Naturalist Renell Roebuck led a group study of mushrooms and fungi. Among the mushrooms studied were Honey Mushrooms (Armillaria melea). Everyone who hikes through The West Woods should know how to identify this mushroom. In addition, the one photo shows the “gills” on the underside of the mushroom, which contained the reproductive spores.

  • Wildflowers at The West Woods

    Date: Sep 17, 2023 at 8:00 pm

    Location: The West Woods

    Wildlife Seen: 2 Wildflowers

    Behavior Observed:

    In a personal study wildflowers, I learned about two types that occur at The West Woods: the Asters (Family Asteraceae) and Ostrich Fern (Genus Matteuccia). All those who hike the trails of The West Woods or visit the nature center garden should know how to identify these two wildflowers.