News & Events from the Geauga Park District

Fish Stocking – 260 Rainbow Trout added to Beartown Lakes Reservation

Geauga Park District’s Natural Resource Management (NRM) Department is excited to announce the stocking of Beartown Lakes Reservation, at 18870 Quinn Road in Auburn Township, with 260 Rainbow Trout on October 18th.

These trout were released into the larger and deeper waters of the park’s three lakes, Lower Bear Lake, joining bass, bluegill and yellow perch that have been stocked here over the years.

Families are welcome to catch and take fish from seven parks countywide with a current Ohio fishing license in accordance with state regulations. Guidelines for fishing in the parks are posted at www.geaugaparkdistrict.org under Things to Do, then Fishing, including location tips and the species of fish found in each waterway.

Please follow us on Facebook or Twitter for the most up-to-date information about fish stocking in Geauga Park District.

Are You a Chickadee Magnet? Amazing hand-feeding of birds returns to The West Woods

Winter is a great time to observe birds, and what better place to observe them than the comfortable, serene wildlife feeding station at The West Woods Nature Center, 9465 Kinsman Road (Route 87) in Russell Township.

But what if we told you that YOU could be the bird feeder?

Following the saying “a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush,” Geauga Park District’s Bird in the Hand Project allows you to feed the wild birds by hand!

This project debuted in the winter of 2014 to great success, and the Black-capped Chickadees immediately warmed up when the feeder went back out this fall. This year we’ve had incredible success with Red-breasted Nuthatches, as well.

To try your hand at feeding the birds, time up your visit for daylight hours and dress warmly – extra layers, hat and gloves – since you will be standing still. If it’s between 10:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., stop into the nature center to collect some black oil sunflower seed; otherwise, use a little from the feeder already placed on site.

Hand-feeding works best with just one or two people or a small group, like three or four.

Follow the Trout Lily Trail, then hang a right at the fork after the boardwalk across the wetlands, following the sign. Soon you’ll come upon the feeding station marked by a feeder and a mannequin, “Parker,” who keeps the birds familiar with a human presence. (Parker is pretty realistic; then again, the birds are fairly easy to fool.)

Take down the feeder, hide it under the bucket that’s there, extend your hand with some seed in your palm, then wait. Odds are good you’ll have a taker if you’re patient, enjoying the peace and quiet a handful of minutes or so, maybe less.

Why was the Bird in the Hand Project established anyway? Well…’cause it’s cool! And it gives people an up-close look at these amazing little beauties.

Led by naturalists Dottie Drockton and Linda Gilbert and a few dedicated volunteers, this project is one that you won’t want to miss – starting now and lasting all winter long.

Watch Chief Naturalist John Kolar feed the birds at http://youtu.be/iL51Lh2uhZU

Park Poster Contest Countdown – Two months remain to win $20.00 in The West Woods’ Tree Tops Nature Store

All summer long, park patrons have been winning $20 gift certificates to The West Woods’ Tree Tops Nature Store just for sending in pictures of themselves with our 2016 Come Home poster.

This contest lasts through December. Will you enter and win?

Where are the posters? To get one, you can either 1) take a picture with a poster already on the wall at a local business or park or 2) pick up your free copy of the poster at the desk of one of these participating locations: Big Creek Park’s Donald W. Meyer Center, Burton Public Library, Destination Geauga, Geauga Public Library branches or The West Woods Nature Center.

Feel free to get creative with your photo (location, pose, props, composition), or just stand next to the poster on the wall and show us how much you love the parks with a smile. Then to enter, just share your picture 1) via email at marketing@geaugaparkdistrict.org, 2) on our Facebook wall or 3) on Twitter or Instagram using #geaugaparkdistrict. It’s that easy.

We’ll continue to draw one winner a week – one win per person. Oh, and if you see your photo show up in our newsletter or social media, don’t be surprised . . . Have fun and get snappin’!

Geauga News
Author: Geauga News