Note: Billing address will show a red asterisk during registration, but it is not required for $0 transactions.

Location: LaDue Boathouse, 17759 Valley Rd, Auburn Township, OH 44023
Meeting place: LaDue Boathouse
Leader(s): Matt Valencic

LaDue Reservoir: If the water is open, we will spend time here looking for waterfowl on the lake and drive up and down Valley Road to look for birds along the edges of the road.
Unless it's frozen, our next stop will be the Troy Wetlands, 18753 Claridon-Troy Road, Hiram, Ohio to look for more waterfowl and ‘edge’ birds. There are boardwalks and short trails (0.8-mile total) there. This is the #2 Hotspot in Geauga County for 2024 (164 species). Port-o-Potty for emergencies.
Depending on the time, next we will either go to the Soltis Road area for birding or to the Market Express for lunch.
Market Express: This is at intersection of SR-422/SR-528 and has pizza by the slice, coffee/beverages galore and clean, warm bathrooms.
Soltis Road: 1.4 miles south of Parkman on SR-88, open agricultural fields, large sunflower planting - also, sunflowers on nearby Brosius Road. Look for Horned Lark, Snow Bunting, Lapland Longspur, hordes of American Goldfinch, Red-tailed Hawk, Northern Harrier, Sharp-shinned Hawk, and occasionally American Pipit and Savannah Sparrow
Patch Road: 3.4 miles north of Parkman on SR-168 - Tavern Road. Look for raptors, possible Eastern Meadowlarks, and sparrows in the hedgerows next to Amish farms.
On-your-own option - Hayes Road: Start at Swine Creek Reservation at south end of Hayes Road and slowly drive north for 4 miles watching for birds. KEEP YOUR FLASHERS ON AND WATCH FOR SPEEDING BUGGIES! Rough-legged Hawk is possible and Red-tailed Hawk, American Kestrel, Northern Harrier are likely.

This event is free and open to all! Please register so we can notify you if the event is canceled due to weather.

Jan 2026 Field Trip

By Kirtland Bird Club

Jan 2026 Field Trip

Geauga County Backroads