Posts by Sarah Watson
Northern Leopard Frogs
There is another voice we should listen for this spring, the voice of the northern leopard frog. Named for their leopard-like spots they began singing or calling to attract mates in mid-March. Their mating season peaks in April and will continue through early June. Their call has been described as a low, rumbling snore –…
Read MoreWildlife Wednesday 04/01/2026
Happy #WildlifeWednesday! A sure sign that spring has arrived is the appearance of butterflies. The mourning cloak butterfly is typically the first to emerge in Ohio. Native to North America and Eurasia, the mourning cloak has a broad distribution around the northern hemisphere, and one of the widest ranges of any butterfly species. Easily identified…
Read MoreWildlife Wednesday 03/25/2026
Hoppy #WildlifeWednesday! Wood frogs have recently been treating vernal pool habitats to their loud quacking chorus of song, so let’s learn some fun facts about these fascinating amphibians! Wood frogs are forest-dwelling and spend most of their time during warm months on the ground near freshwater wetlands. They are our most terrestrial frog species. They…
Read MoreApril 2026 Full Pink Moon
The first full Moon of spring will be April’s full Pink Moon which occurs on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. The Moon will look full and round when it rises at 7:45PM EDT, but it won’t be a true full Moon until 10:12PM EDT when the Moon has moved in its orbit such that Earth is…
Read MoreWildlife Wednesday 03/18/2026
Happy #WildlifeWednesday! You may have noticed more than the usual number of large dark birds circling and soaring in the sky overhead lately. Welcome back, Turkey Vultures! While some Turkey Vultures stay in Ohio all year, most migrate for the winter, traveling to the southern USA and even as far as South America. In Hinckley,…
Read MoreWildlife Wednesday 03/11/2026
Happy #WildlifeWednesday! It’s that time of year! The days are getting longer, temperatures are getting warmer, and birds are starting to migrate! Spring migration is the seasonal movement of birds from their wintering grounds to the areas where they will breed and spend months nesting, taking advantage of the warm weather and plentiful food sources.…
Read MoreWestern Chorus Frog
Western chorus frogs are native to and found throughout Ohio. These nocturnal, secretive creatures are one of our smallest frog species, being only three-quarters to an inch and a half long. Although a member of the treefrog family these frogs are rarely seen on trees. They flourish in moist open habitats like damp meadows, grasslands,…
Read MoreWildlife Wednesday 03/04/2026
Happy #WildlifeWednesday! It is the time of year when we observe, appreciate, and celebrate Ohio’s state amphibian (and a TWC mascot), the spotted salamander! A type of mole salamander, this cute creature with bright yellow spots and a perpetual smile lives most of its life underground. After a long winter of brumation (similar to hibernation),…
Read MoreWildlife Wednesday 02/25/2026
Happy #WildlifeWednesday! Let’s talk about the largest waterfowl in North America, the Trumpeter Swan! Reaching a body length of over 6 feet, weighing close to 30 pounds, and possessing an 8-foot wingspan, these enormous avians are the heaviest flying bird on the continent. In order to become airborne, they require at least 100 yards of…
Read MoreTotal Lunar Eclipse- March 3rd, 2026
In the early hours of Tuesday, March 3rd, 2026, weather permitting, we will be treated to a total lunar eclipse. The eclipse begins early in the morning at 3:44AM EST when the Moon enters the Earth’s penumbra or lighter shadow. The Moon doesn’t look very different during this phase of the eclipse though you might…
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