I got some video and a photo of some tiny larva at Beartown Lakes (now posted to https://youtu.be/InMQyL6wscA). Just wondering if someone could tell me what they are. Also noticed a very tiny snail in my video. Thanks in advance.

Invertebrates in a leaf-lined pool.

Great catch!  Your video clip shows a pool teeming with invertebrate life.

The small creatures thrashing about are some well-grown mosquito larvae. They have to hang out near the water’s surface in order to breathe, but whenever they sense danger, they’ll wriggle their bodies into an S-shape and swim for cover. Based on their size, those larvae are probably ready to turn into adult mosquitos soon! (We’ve also been surprised at how well-developed the mosquito larvae have been this early in the season; their parents have really taken advantage of the warmer days!)

You’re right that there are also some cool snails in there. The fast-moving snail with the bullet-shaped shell (towards the top of the image) might be one of the ‘bladder snails’ in the genus Physella, but it’s hard to see. (If you REALLY want to dive down the rabbit hole of snail identification, the Ohio Division of Wildlife has a terrific online guidebook.)

All of those swimmers in the pool are important food sources for animals further up the food chain. That’s part of the reason they were in such a hurry to get away from you, a potential predator!

Thanks for sharing!

-Naturalist Chris Mentrek

Hello, I reside in Geauga County. We are looking to plant some shrubs, plants and trees in our backyard to help with drainage but also have to manage a septic tank. Are there varieties you recommend that would non-invasive and native to the area? Bonus points for pollinator friendly varieties.

Say, did you know that April is Ohio Native Plant Month?

Well, Happy Ohio Native Plant Month to you!

White trillium in bloom.

The website above has a wealth of information on plants that are native to Ohio, from trees to shrubs to smaller “forb” flowers. They also maintain a great list of vendors who specialize in native plants.

Here are three great guides for each of the three groups you asked about:

• Trees: The Ohio Department of Natural Resources has a stupendous list of the native trees of Ohio. If you’re looking to plant a large tree, start there!
• Shrubs: The Ohio State University’s extension service offers a pollinator-focused guide to backyard shrubs suitable for Ohio. (They do a great job of highlighting which shrubs can be hosts for which beneficial insects.)
• Flowers: A pollinator garden is a fun project to plant anywhere in your yard; here’s a great guide to get you started.

Since you specifically mentioned that you’re considering new plantings for a septic field, here’s a list of plants that are well-suited to that setting; it’s from OPN Seed, one of northeast Ohio’s native-plant nurseries.

(Speaking of being septic-smart, our neighbors at the Geauga Soil & Water Conservation District have some exemplary resources for landowners who want to garden with native plants and keep their septic systems in tip-top shape.)

For the next step in making plant choices for your site, you’ll need to evaluate your yard’s specific characteristics to find well matched plants. Is your site sunny or shady? Wet or dry? Flat or hilly? There are great native plants to match all of those settings…say, why not drop by one of our upcoming native gardening programs to find out more?

Thanks, and have fun with your garden!

-Naturalist Chris Mentrek

For decades we have seen dear families at least twice a day on our property (Hemlock Pt Rd, Russell Twshp, Geauga County near Chagrin Falls & Madroo Farm). Now I see none. I heard gunshots the other night (that is a too frequent occurrence) & am concerned they may have been (illegally?) killed. Have you noticed a change in their patterns? Do you know anything? I miss them.

While out for a walk yesterday, We saw what we think was a group of bald eagles. We saw one, and are certain it was one, followed by about 6 in a group circling, as in a kettle. Not all of them were mature in that group. They were making a strange chirping noises, which seems to be their call, after listening to their call online. Then, after passing over, they were followed by one last mature one. I tried to get my phone out for photos, but by the time I did, they were too far away, so pics not good. I have done lots of programs with you the past few years…except this last 6 months or so, due to catching up on some health issues. Please don’t tell me I am seeing things…my husband also saw them! Is this something they do? Looking forward to your reply.

We believe this was most likely a group of Turkey Vultures that you were seeing.

-Naturalist Denise Wolfe

What is this? Is it a nest, a cocoon, a mud dauber, something else? There has been no activity around it; for example, no wasps going in and out or a bird perched atop it. What might be inside it if anything? Should it be removed or left as is for something to emerge? Thank you.

After discussion with the other naturalists, this could be a mud dauber nest, but it doesn’t look quite right for that.

Thank you for your question as we try to do more research about this picture, and please follow up with us if you see the nest being used again.

-Naturalist Denise Wolfe

What animal likely did this damage to our bird feeder?

Ouch! It looks like somebody pulled off a seed heist!

It’s hard to give a definitive answer, but there are a few clues in this whodunnit:

• Only the plastic “window” portion of the feeder has been cracked; there’s no visible damage to the wooden parts.
• Nobody has pilfered the suet-cake portion of the feeder.

A raccoon or bear would likely have snatched the cakes during a raid, so we can probably rule them out as suspects.

Based on that, my top suspect would be some kind of squirrel. (Here at The West Woods, we’ve had hungry squirrels inflict similar levels of damage when trying to pry those plastic windows open!) Both Gray Squirrels and Fox Squirrels would be hefty enough to have perpetrated this crime:

Eastern Gray Squirrel, a.k.a. “Sticky Fingers”

Eastern Fox Squirrel, a.k.a. “The Window Wrangler”

Luckily, that should be easy to repair: another pane of plastic or glass should slide into the grooves that held the original. The next phase of the investigation is figuring out how the squirrels might be gaining access to your bird feeder. Good luck!

-Naturalist Chris Mentrek

Are the eagles in Bass Lake preserve active and laying eggs now?

Hello! While we do not actively monitor the nest at Bass Lake Preserve, I am happy to report that the Bass Lake eagles appear to be incubating; I observed one of them today (2/26/26) sitting low on the nest, which indicates incubation. This is about right on time for when eggs are laid, so this is awesome news!

-Chief Naturalist John Kolar

Hi, I was wondering the depths of the lakes at Beartown Lakes Reservation? Also, will there be Bass and Bluegill stocking this year? I catch and release. Thanks.

Hi! Is this a longhorn beetle that is detrimental to trees? It was on the exterior of our kitchen window this evening. We're in Chardon Township. Thank you!

As far as I can see from my research, this species poses no danger to trees. Rather, the larva eat dead wood, not living trees, making them beneficial decomposers in that regard.

-Naturalist Linda Gilbert