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

Location: Swine Creek Lodge, 16004 Hayes Rd, Middlefield, OH 44062
Meeting place: Swine Creek Lodge at 9:00 AM - Upon entering the main entrance at Swine Creek Reservation, take an immediate left-hand turn to go to the lodge parking lot.
Leaders: Matt Valencic and Kelly Stanek

Itinerary

Swine Creek Lodge: Our first stop is Swine Creek Lodge, where we hope to see Evening Grosbeaks, Pine Siskins, and Red-breasted Nuthatches visiting the lodge bird feeders.
Hayes Road: starting from Swine Creek Reservation at the south end of Hayes Road, 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.
Market Express: This is at the intersection of SR-422/SR-528. There will be pizza by the slice, coffee/beverages, and clean, warm bathrooms.
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.
LaDue Reservoir
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 - 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

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

Geauga County Backroads