Education
Wildlife 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…
Read MoreWildlife Wednesday 02/18/2026
Happy #WildlifeWednesday! Let’s learn about North America’s largest rodent, the American beaver! Weighing in at an average of 60 pounds, this semiaquatic mammal is adapted to both life in the water and on land. Body features such as webbed feet, a waterproof fur coat, and flat rudderlike tail allow them to excel at swimming. Their…
Read MoreWildlife Wednesday 02/11/2026
Happy #WildlifeWednesday! Valentine’s Day is approaching and love is in the air, especially for coyotes! February is the peak of coyote mating season, which spans from late January until early March, and is one of the best times of year to hear their howls! Coyotes are highly adaptable animals that make their homes in a…
Read MoreGreat Horned Owls
On any of your recent night hikes have you heard the “whooo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo” of the great horned owl? Perhaps you know them as “hoot owls.” They were given this name because they are the only owls in Ohio whose call is the traditional “hoot” we think of when we think of owl calls. This call can…
Read MoreWildlife Wednesday 02/04/2026
Happy #WildlifeWednesday! The Sandhill Crane is a tall elegant bird with a heavy body, soaring 6-foot wingspan, red crown of feathers on its head, and a fluffy bustle of gray plumage at its back end. This graceful long-necked avian has a loud rolling trumpet-like vocalization that can be heard for miles. Mated pairs will engage…
Read MoreWildlife Wednesday 01/28/2026
Happy #WildlifeWednesday! It’s almost the big day for everyone’s favorite prognosticating rodent, so let’s celebrate with some groundhog info! The groundhog, Marmota monax, is also known as a woodchuck and a whistlepig. They are members of the squirrel family, belonging to the group of large-bodied ground squirrels called marmots. Groundhogs prefer open country habitat and woodland…
Read More