What's in your Backyard ?
(double click on the picture to enlarge & see the name of the birds or critters) Everything pictured on this page has been seen in and around Landen and now including Kingswood Park
What about some of these furry critters in your yard ?
ODNR says there are 53 species of mammals in Ohio. We have 18 species living here in Landen. I know back in the 1990's when we moved to Landen, there were at least two small herds of whitetail deer living within the greenbelts of Hunters' Pointe & Woodfield. A couple of nice bucks, each with their own harem of does. A number of the does are mature and are having twins every spring.
To date we have seen and counted 114 different species of birds, waterfowl and birds of prey that either stay here year long or visit on their way north or south.
There has been a couple of Coyotes/Coywolves in the area for at least twenty plus years, along Simpson's Creek. They are good for our own "Circle of Life" and haven't bothered any pets that I'm aware of.
Skunks aren't seen very often but are known to live in the 23 Acre Woods at the end of Meadow Ln. Mink was just discovered in Simpson's Creek in Hunter's Pointe in 2019.
All the other Critters in this section live here in Landen and visit regularly. Please don't kill them or have a Pest Control Agent dispatch them.
Let's all live together.
To date we have seen and counted 114 different species of birds, waterfowl and birds of prey that either stay here year long or visit on their way north or south.
There has been a couple of Coyotes/Coywolves in the area for at least twenty plus years, along Simpson's Creek. They are good for our own "Circle of Life" and haven't bothered any pets that I'm aware of.
Skunks aren't seen very often but are known to live in the 23 Acre Woods at the end of Meadow Ln. Mink was just discovered in Simpson's Creek in Hunter's Pointe in 2019.
All the other Critters in this section live here in Landen and visit regularly. Please don't kill them or have a Pest Control Agent dispatch them.
Let's all live together.
Backyard Birds around Landen
We get a lot of different birds coming to our backyard. We put out one very small feeder and fill it once in the morning, with about a half a cup or so of sunflower seed. Sometimes I put up a thistle seed feeder for the finches and chickadees and in winter I hang a suet feeder for all to enjoy. Living here in Landen, we have kind of a big backyard, if you include the lake, ponds, all the hiking trails and the Nature Trail. I think we are up to 125 species of birds all around Landen, including the transient birds stopping over for a rest and a bite to eat before continuing north or south (depending on the season).
Did you know if you see ducks or geese flying, they're called a flock, if they're on the water they're called a raft and if walking geese are called a gaggle (or maybe that is for domestic geese) and ducks are called a brace ?
Mallard Ducks are sometimes called whistling ducks because their wings whistle in the air as the flap their wings in take-off. This is caused by rapid wing beats. Morning Doves make the same sound with their wings. There is an actual duck called a Whistling Duck but that's another story.
Did you know if you see ducks or geese flying, they're called a flock, if they're on the water they're called a raft and if walking geese are called a gaggle (or maybe that is for domestic geese) and ducks are called a brace ?
Mallard Ducks are sometimes called whistling ducks because their wings whistle in the air as the flap their wings in take-off. This is caused by rapid wing beats. Morning Doves make the same sound with their wings. There is an actual duck called a Whistling Duck but that's another story.
Common Snakes, Turtles Toads and Frogs around our area
Reptiles & Amphibians
The pictured Black Rat Snake is not to be confused with the Kingracer Black Snake. The Black Rat Snake is the largest snake around this area, growing up to 8 feet long. The snakes pictured below are very good snakes to have around. Also pictured is the Eastern Garter Snake, Hog-nosed Snake, Ring Neck Snake & the Milk Snake. All of these snakes hide under logs and rocks during the day and hunt for insects and rodents at night.
The Hog-nosed Snake is the fiercest acting of all. When encountered it will coil itself for striking and flatten its head and back like a cobra before striking. When it strikes, it keeps its mouth closed and usually falls short of whomever its striking at. It is the scareiest snake but a very good snake to have around your property, for pest control.
The Water Snake is one of the only snakes that might be seen during the daylight hours, sunning itself on rocks around all types of water. When distrubed, it will drop into the water and swim away, to avoid capture.
The Hog-nosed Snake is the fiercest acting of all. When encountered it will coil itself for striking and flatten its head and back like a cobra before striking. When it strikes, it keeps its mouth closed and usually falls short of whomever its striking at. It is the scareiest snake but a very good snake to have around your property, for pest control.
The Water Snake is one of the only snakes that might be seen during the daylight hours, sunning itself on rocks around all types of water. When distrubed, it will drop into the water and swim away, to avoid capture.