Geneva Marsh
Middle Marsh
Directions: To reach the Geneva Bridge from the wells, continue west on PA 285 for 1.1 miles to the second right in Geneva. Turn right and drive 1.1 miles to the bridge over Conneaut Outlet. The road makes a Y just beyond the bridge. The PGC maintains a parking area at the curve in the right fork. The grounds of the former Game Commission waterfowl farm are reached by taking the left fork at the Geneva Bridge and proceeding 1.0 mile to South Watson Run Road. Turn left onto this road and proceed 0.4 mile to the intersection with West Vernon Road and drive 0.9 mile to the waterfowl farm. A large red barn is on the right and a gated access road is on the left. Parking is available near the gate. A walk down the access road will place you on a small peninsula providing excellent views of the marsh beyond. Note: The farm on the north side of the road is privately owned. During migration, ducks of all species, particularly the dabbling ducks, congregate here in large numbers. From the shore they are most apparent when groups suddenly rise en masse from an unseen pond, only to quickly disappear as they settle onto another concealed pool. The ability to identify waterfowl on the wing is a decided advantage here. A representative sampling of species can usually be found on the large pond just upstream of Geneva Bridge. Migrating shorebirds are also evident in small numbers on the mudflats adjoining the Conneaut Outlet channel. Semipalmated Plover, Greater Yellowlegs, Least Sandpiper, and Dunlin are among the more conspicuous migrants.
Description: The middle section of Conneaut Marsh extends from the Geneva Bridge upstream to the Brown Hill Road Bridge, a distance of approximately 2.5 miles. This section typifies the common conception of a marsh, with vast areas of emergent vegetation such as cattails, smartweed, and spatterdock interspersed with isolated lakes and ponds. Breeding birds are perhaps of even greater interest than the migratory visitors. A profusion of species ranging from waterfowl and herons to warblers and sparrows nest here. Many of these elude observation in the thick vegetation and must be identified by sound rather than sight. The Geneva Bridge and the grounds of the former PGC waterfowl farm provide good spots to look and listen. American and Least bitterns, Virginia Rail, Sora, Marsh Wren, and Red-winged Blackbird nest in the cattail stands. Common Moorhen and American Coot can be heard calling in larger patches of spatterdock. Blue-winged Teal nest in drier areas around the periphery. Bald Eagle can often be seen perched in stubs along the southern edge of the marsh; a nest is visible directly across the marsh from the waterfowl farm grounds.