Owls are fascinating creatures- silent phantoms of the night capturing our imagination like no other bird can. There are roughly 250 different species of owls around the world. They are found on every continent except Antarctica. All owls are members of the bird group called Strigiformes. They are further divided into two families – barn owls (family Tytonidae) and true owls (family Strigidae). The main difference between these families is true owls have round faces and barn owls have heart shaped faces. Around 230 owl species are classified as true owls and the remainder are classified as barn owls. Most owls, about 70%, are nocturnal, meaning they are active at night. The remaining 30% are either diurnal, active during the day, or crepuscular, active during twilight. Bringing this closer to home, 19 owl species are found in North America and 8 of these can be found in Ohio. Ohio’s owls include seven true owl species and one barn owl species. The true owl species are the barred owl, eastern screech owl, great horned owl, long-eared owl, northern saw-whet owl, short-eared owl and snowy owl. Ohio’s only barn owl species is the American barn owl. Ohio’s owls are a diverse group. Four of these, the American barn owl, barred owl, eastern screech owl, and great horned owl are year-round residents. The short-eared owl and the northern saw-whet owl visit as they migrate through Ohio to warmer climates. And the snowy owl and long-eared owl spend their winters here, though both are considered rare to see in Ohio. They also vary in size ranging from Ohio’s largest resident owl, the great horned owl, standing as tall as 25 inches and weighing in at up to 5 pounds to our smallest owl the northern saw-whet owl being about the size of an American robin. Six of Ohio’s owls are nocturnal. The other two – the snowy owl is diurnal, and the short-eared owl is crepuscular. Being nocturnal is an evolutionary adaptation that gives these owls the edge they need to live and thrive. Most of their prey animals are active at night and by hunting at night, they are not competing with eagles and hawks. Darkness allows the owls to be stealthier, making their odds of a successful hunt much higher. Nocturnal owls have evolved several physical adaptations that make them well suited for the night. About one-third of nocturnal owl species have asymmetrically placed ear openings – meaning their ears are placed at different heights and angles on each side of their head. This gives the owl a three-dimensional location of its prey by detecting tiny differences in time, loudness and height. They can accurately pinpoint prey in complete darkness, under snow, or under forest floor plant litter. The great horned owl can hear sounds 10 miles away. Owls also have excellent night vision – their large eyes are built for seeing in the dark. As an example, a barn owl’s retina is 93% rods and 7% cones. Rods work in low light levels allowing the eye to see only in shades of gray, called scotopic vision. Not as necessary for nocturnal owls, cones work in bright light allowing the eye to perceive color. Owls also have specialized feathers that allow them to fly without making a sound. As predators, owls sit at the top of the food chain. They provide a valuable service to the ecosystem as natural pest controllers with the larger owls eating a variety of rodents and the smaller owls eating bugs and beetles that can damage crops and gardens. They provide ecosystem balance by keeping prey populations under control and healthy and they serve as indicators of ecosystem health. If owl numbers drop it means the ecosystem has become unbalanced and that pollution or habitat loss is affecting the area. Light affects habitats where owls live. It affects their hunting, their nesting, and every aspect of their lives. Let’s turn off all unnecessary lights to help these birds thrive at night and continue to play their part in the ecosystem.
Happy #WildlifeWednesday! The hot and humid days from July 3rd-August 11th are referred to as the "Dog Days of Summer." Let's learn about an extremely loud insect you've probably heard singing lately, the dog-day cicada. The dog-day cicada, also referred to as a harvest fly, is an annual cicada found in North America whose peak singing occurs when the star Sirius is prominent in the night sky. These cicadas have a life cycle of 2-5 years but due to overlapping of broods adults appear every year in the summer. Its song is reminiscent of a buzz saw, the high-pitched whining drone starting softly then growing louder to about 7kHz, then tapering off. The singing is produced by exoskeletal structures called tymbals, which vibrate rapidly to make the sound. This is different from crickets and grasshoppers, whose sound is a result of stridulation, or the rubbing together of body parts. Only the male cicadas sing, to attract a female, and the buzz can be heard up to a half mile away. Coloration of the dog-day cicada is variable but tends towards mostly dark brown or black with green markings on the body. Its membranous wings also have green coloration in the veins, particularly near their base. The preferred habitat is mixed or deciduous woods, and they are frequently found in pine forests. Freshly emerged adults can be found near the ground and in low vegetation, while mature adults may be high in the treetops. Have you heard their song this summer?
Happy #WildlifeWednesday! If you’ve hiked to our pond lately, you may have noticed rows and piles of painted turtles covering the logs and banks. The most widespread native turtle in North America, they are abundant in Ohio and can be easily found in freshwater aquatic habitats including ponds, lakes, and slow-moving streams. They can be identified by their dark, smooth shells with bright red and black patterns on the underside. They grow to be 5-10 inches in length as adults, with males being slightly smaller than females. Both sexes have webbed feet to help with swimming, and males have long claws which they use to tickle the face and neck of females during courtship. At this time of year, painted turtles spend much of their day basking. They will typically spend several hours in the morning laying on logs and rocks in the sun. Once warmed up, they actively begin hunting and foraging. Omnivorous, they eat a variety of vegetation including algae and aquatic plants, as well as organisms such as insects, crustaceans, and fish. After feeding, they will bask for the rest of the day, until nightfall when they drop to the bottom of the body of water to sleep. Be sure to hike our Pond Trail to observe the painted turtles this summer! The observation blind has a scope for viewing them as well as other wildlife at the pond.
July’s full Moon, called the Buck Moon, rises on July 29th, 2026, at 10:36 AM EDT. Unfortunately for us the Moon will be below horizon by this time. Not to worry though, if you want to see the full Buck Moon it will still look full and bright later that night when it rises at about 9:00 PM. The Moon will also appear to be full and bright on the day before, July 28th, and the day after, July 30th. Of course, this comes with the disclaimer” weather permitting” for all these days. Native Americans named Moons after what they were observing in the natural world around them. July’s Moon has a fitting name. Bucks (male deer) shed and regrow their antlers each year. Beginning in late March a buck’s antlers begin to grow. Deer, like all other animals, depend on Earth’s cycle of light and dark. The increasing daylight hours trigger the hormones that start the new antler growth each spring. And antlers grow fast – one and a half inches per week, making them the fastest growing bones in the world! It’s this time of year when a buck’s antlers are in full growth mode. By early August the buck has a new set of antlers bigger and more impressive than his last set. Native Americans observed this incredible transformation and it’s no wonder why they named July’s full Moon the Buck Moon. Although Buck Moon is the most common name for July’s full Moon there are others. The Haida and Tlingit Tribes in Alaska call this Moon the Salmon Moon. The Wishram of the Pacific Northwest call it the Salmon Go Up Rivers in a Group Moon. Both names refer to the return of the Salmon to their local rivers. There are many names that relate to plant growth and harvesting such as the Mohawk name Time of Much Ripening Moon, the Shawnee Blackberry Moon, the Lakota Moon When the Chokecherries are Black, the Zuni Limbs are Broken by Fruit Moon, the Ojibwe Blueberry Moon and the Potawatomi Moon of the Young Corn, to name just a few. This Moon was also called the Thunder Moon by the Western Abenaki because of the large number of thunderstorms that happen this time of year. July is rich with the sights, sounds and smells of nature; Native Americans used all of them in their names for the July full Moon. Take the time to experience the Buck Moon on July 29th and the richness that nature has to offer for yourself during July.
It’ssssssss #WildlifeWednesday and tomorrow is #WorldSnakeDay, so let's learn about one of our resident animal ambassadors, Zea the corn snake! The corn snake is a type of rat snake found in North America, mostly in the central and southeastern United States. It is not venomous and kills its prey instead by constriction (squeezing). It is a beneficial animal to humans as it keeps populations of wild rodents in check, particularly near agricultural land and crops. There are two origins of the name “corn snake.” One says the name comes from the tendency of the snake to live near stores of grain and maize, where it hunts rats and mice. The other suggests that the name comes from the distinctive checkered scales on the belly, which resemble variegated kernels of corn. The lifespan for wild corn snakes is 6-8 years, but in captivity they can live to well over 20. Zea is 13 years old. Corn snakes are popular to keep in captivity for educational purposes and as pets due to the ease of their care, calm temperament, and tolerance for being handled. Zea is a curious snake with a gentle disposition. She is very receptive to being held and enjoys meeting visitors and audiences at programs and outreach events. She also likes supervised exploring and slithering outdoors, exercising on her tank's climbing wall, and making tunnels in her substrate. Join us tomorrow, World Snake Day , for a special free presentation featuring Zea!
Woof-woof, it’s #WildlifeWednesday! The hot and humid time period between July 3rd and August 11th is referred to as the “Dog Days of Summer,” and today we will talk about two of the canines that make their home here in Ohio- the red fox and the gray fox! The red fox is the larger and taller of the two species and is traditionally known for its bright red fur and black “socks” on its legs, though its coat can have color variations of black, silver, and brown. The enormous bushy tail of the red fox ends in a white tip. The gray fox is smaller and has a grizzled silvery gray coat with reddish patches on the chest and sides and white marking on the face. A black stripe runs along the top of the tail. The gray fox’s snout is shorter and more catlike than that of other foxes. The gray fox also has specialized claws that allow it to climb trees! To stay cool in the heat both species of fox will seek shade and even dig or use holes in the ground. Since their fur coats prevent them from being able to sweat through their skin, they pant just like our domestic dogs to release excess heat. Their coats are also much thinner during the hot months, as they begin shedding their thick winter fur in the spring, giving them a sleek summer look. Both foxes are omnivores and eat a wide range of foods, including rodents, birds, reptiles, insects, eggs, fruits, and plant material. In the heat of summer they target berries as they provide extra hydration in addition to being a tasty treat. You might not be digging holes in the ground, but we hope you find ways to stay cool like a fox today!
Bobcats are native to Ohio. However, being solitary, elusive, shy and nocturnal they are rarely seen. Bobcats have had rough go in Ohio. Prior to the arrival of settlers, they were found throughout the state. Throughout the 1800s forests were cleared and marshes and wetlands were drained so that farmsteads and towns could be built. By 1850, due to habitat loss and hunting for the fur trade the bobcat became extinct in Ohio. Nearly a century later bobcat-suitable habitat started coming back as farmed areas were being changed back to forests and abandoned strip mines were rehabilitated. In the 1990’s a bobcat reintroduction program brought these cats back to Ohio. As of 2021, the most current ODNR data, there have been 561confirmed bobcat sightings in 81 of Ohio’s 88 counties. Although most bobcat sightings are in southern and southeastern Ohio, confirmed sightings are moving northward - Stark, Wayne, Holmes, and Tuscarawas counties have confirmed sightings. Bobcats are about twice as big as a house cat and weigh up to 30 pounds. They are fierce, highly skilled, carnivorous apex predators and important members of the ecosystem. These cats are ambush predators relying on their exceptional hearing and night vision to stalk prey before pouncing. They can jump as far as 12 feet to pounce on prey, run as fast as 25 to 30 miles an hour, and they are skilled swimmers. They can even jump high enough to catch low-flying birds. Their prey includes mostly rabbits, young white-tail deer, and small mammals. Although mammals make up most of their diet, they are considered generalist carnivores and will also eat insects, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and birds. They help to keep these prey species in check. We don’t often get to celebrate the return of a once-native species - the resurgence of bobcats in Ohio is an environmental success story the state prides itself on. Bobcats are protected in Ohio. There is no hunting or trapping season for them and their most common predators, wolves and mountain lions, don’t live in Ohio. With the success of the re-introduction program the bobcat was removed from Ohio’s endangered and vulnerable species list in July 2014. For the bobcat to succeed they need the night to be dark. Light pollution or skyglow can reach hundreds of miles from the urban area creating the pollution. It reaches into the dark areas where bobcats live and interferes with their hunting and safety. Light pollution is one challenge to the bobcat’s success that everyone can do something about.
It’s #WildlifeWednesday and we are celebrating the upcoming Independence Day holiday with our national symbol, the Bald Eagle! The Bald Eagle is found throughout Ohio, with the largest concentration of birds located in the marsh regions along Lake Erie. They prefer areas with large old growth trees for nesting near open bodies of water. Primarily a fish-eating bird of prey, they will also consume ducks, rodents, reptiles, and carrion. The Bald Eagle is a sturdy raptor, weighing between 7 and 14 pounds. Females are about 25 percent larger than the males. The plumage of immature eagles is brown, with the white feathers of the head and tail developing at around 6 years of age. They live for an average of 20 years in the wild and can have an even longer lifespan in captivity. Bald Eagles mate for life, often returning to the same nest for several years. The courtship rituals are elaborate, with the males performing astonishing aerial flight displays. The pair will lock talons and cartwheel, spin, and freefall, separating their hold on each other just before hitting the ground. The nest is the largest built by any bird in North America and typically can be 8 feet wide and 13 feet deep. A record-setting nest in Florida weighed nearly 3 metric tons! Another famous nest located in Vermillion, Ohio was used for 34 years and was shaped like a wine glass, weighing over 2 tons before the tree that held it blew down. The Bald Eagle was classified as an endangered species in the mid-20th century due to severe population decline caused by the pesticide DDT. The chemical affected calcium levels in adult birds, and as a result their eggs were too thin and would break when sat upon. Illegal shooting and lead poisoning from shotgun pellets left in animal carcasses killed by hunters also contributed to their decline. With the ban of DDT and development of wildlife protection and environmental regulations, our national bird has made a comeback and remarkable population recovery. The Bald Eagle species status was changed from endangered to threatened, then de-listed altogether, and now holds a risk level of least concern, which is indeed something to celebrate!
Happy #WildlifeWednesday! Our Firefly Festival is coming up on Friday evening so let's prepare with a few fantastic facts about fireflies! Fireflies are soft-bodied beetles commonly referred to as lightning bugs. There are more than 2,000 species in the firefly (Lampyridae) family. Many but not all of the species produce light as adults. There are about 2 dozen species of fireflies in Ohio. All fireflies glow as larvae. They use this glow to warn predators that they do not taste good. Fireflies contain a bitter unpalatable steroid as a defense to avoid being eaten by animals such as birds, bats, and spiders. Firefly larvae eat snails, slugs, and worms. Fireflies produce light through bioluminescence, light emitted due to a chemical reaction in a living organism. Bioluminescence in fireflies is nearly 100 percent efficient and little energy is wasted to produce their light. Fireflies use their flashes to attract mates. Firefly light can be yellow, green, or orange. Fireflies have been featured in human culture and folklore around the world for centuries. They can be symbolic of inner light, hope, transformation, guidance, and good luck. Habitat loss, pesticide use, and light pollution are contributing to the decline of firefly populations. Join us Friday as we celebrate all things firefly with games, crafts, displays, planetarium programs, campfire tales, and of course, guided night hikes through the fields and forest to observe fireflies!
The day we’ve been waiting for, summer solstice, is almost here! This astronomical beginning of summer happens on Sunday, June 21, 2026, at 4:24AM EDT. And it doesn’t matter where in the northern hemisphere you live on Earth the summer solstice happens at the exact same moment for everyone on the planet no matter what time your clock says. Every day since the Spring equinox the Sun has been rising and setting a little farther north on the horizon. At the moment of summer solstice, the Sun reaches its northernmost point in our sky. No matter where you live on Earth, at summer solstice the Sun rises and sets its farthest north on your horizon. This apparent change in the position of the sun is due to the 23.5-degree axial tilt of the Earth and our orbital movement around the sun. This is the reason we have seasons. Summer solstice occurs when the Earth is in the part of its orbit where the northern hemisphere is most tilted toward the Sun making the Sun appear to be high in our sky and allowing the Earth to receive the Sun’s light and warmth most directly. Solstice is Latin for “Sun Stand Still.” This came from the observation that the Sun’s position appears to stop or stand still in the days surrounding the solstice. After these few days the Sun’s apparent motion begins to carry it southward once again. Ancient cultures around the world watched and studied the Sun’s path across the sky. They understood that the Sun’s position along the horizon at sunrise and sunset moved in a regular and predictable way during the year. They also knew that the amount of daylight also changed in a predictable way through the year. Many of these cultures built monuments to align with the solstices. We are familiar with Stonehenge built around 3000B.C. by the early neolithic people in England. On the summer solstice the Sun rises directly over the Heel Stone. Around the same time that Stonehenge was being built, Egyptians were building two pyramids, the Great Pyramid of Khufu and the Pyramid of Khafre, and the Great Sphinx in Giza. The Sphinx and pyramids are aligned so that when standing in front of the Sphinx on summer solstice the Sun sets exactly between the two pyramids. Ancient Native Americans also used rock to mark the solstice. Bighorn Medicine Wheel is located on top the Bighorn Range in Wyoming. Built by Plains Indians around 800 years ago, there is evidence that it might be much older. The Wheel has an 80-foot diameter outer circle made of stones with a center doughnut shaped circle which is connected to the outer circle by 28 spoke-like stone lines. One alignment points to the summer solstice sunrise and a second alignment points to the summer solstice sunset. Other alignments pointing to rising stars may have been used to pinpoint the date of the summer solstice. In New Mexico on Fajada Butte behind three stone slabs Ancestral Puebloan people in Chaco Canyon carved two spiral petroglyphs into the rock – a large one and a small one. Late morning on the summer solstice the sun shines on the three stone slabs creating a spot of light directly above the large spiral. During the next 15 minutes this spot of light stretches into a shaft of light called a “sun dagger” that goes through the middle of the spiral and gradually moves down the spiral and disappears. Such sites were sacred and held deeply religious meaning to those who used them and, for the Bighorn Medicine Wheel, still use them. Also knowing when the summer solstice occurred was important to ancient cultures because it marked the longest day of the year, it marked the transition from planting season to the growing season for crops and with more sunlight and warmth it promised the abundance of nature. For us today summer solstice means the day with the longest hours of sunlight, and the shortest night of the calendar year that ushers in the long warm days of summer.