Licking County is primarily within the Glaciated Allegheny Plateau. The terminal moraine runs irregularly along the eastern edge of the county, leaving part of the county in the Unglaciated Allegheny Plateau. The Licking River flows SE, entering the county in the center of its northern border, and exiting in the center of the eastern border heading toward its confluence with the Muskingum River in Muskingum County (see Rivers of Licking County, Ohio).

Places to Visit

• The Dawes Arboretum is a 2000 acre property with a Japanese garden pond, a large lake, and a smaller pond. 54 species have been observed in the arboretum and the 2 associated properties to the immediate north. Dawes Red Barn Reserve, a wetland area with two ponds and a boardwalk, has a gravel parking area off of Davis Drive (township road 306). Dawes Dutch Fork Wetlands, a restored 70-acre area of wetland and grassland, is accessible on the south side of White Chapel Rd (township road 309, no facilities). The main grounds require membership or a fee, the Reserve and Wetland are free. Toilet and water available in the Visitors Center off of SR 13, the Reserve has a porta potty available in season.

• Hebron State Fish Hatchery offers many artificial fish-raising ponds 32 species have been observed at this location. There is plenty of parking by the office, and ponds can be found on the opposite side of the creek from the office, as well as a few by the office and to the east of the parking lot. Birders and "Oders" are welcome to wander all over the pond areas during business hours. Employees are used to us and our cameras. This is a great birding spot, also. The 230 acre site also includes a wetlands area to the east of the hatchery facility. There is a small gravel parking lot about a quarter to half mile on Duck Run and you can walk a large loop on grass paths around many wetlands. The area is open every day during daylight hours, including weekends. A restroom in the office is open weekday business hours. No fee to visit.

• T.J. Evans Family Park 1480 Mount Vernon Road Newark, OH 43055. 32 species have been observed in this park which borders the North Fork Licking River.

• South End Park in Utica provides access to the North Fork Licking River.  9 species have been observed, including American Rubyspot. The park is located SE of the intersection of SR 62 and SR 13. A path to the river can be found south of the dirt road, just to the east of the baseball diamond.

County Observation Activity

This graph shows the total number of odonata observations for the county in blue, with the average for all Ohio counties in orange. The season is divided into 10 or 11 day segments by Month – basically early-month, mid-month, and late-month.