Don't forget to add observations to this project as you enjoy the Maple Highlands Trail this spring. Warbler migration is just around the corner, so late April and May will be good times to check out some of the wonderful habitat along the trail. Remember that iNaturalist also accepts sound clips as observations. The voice memo app on most mobile phones make decent recordings of birdsong. If you can't get a picture for documentation, try to get a recording instead. Happy spring!

It's the time of year when the insect orchestra has tuned up. As you travel the trail, keep and eye out (or rather, keep and ear out) for singing insects that you see or hear along the trail. Remember that iNaturalist can accept sound files to use for identification as well as pictures. The voice memo feature on most mobile phones can be a sufficient way of capturing insect song. Have fun and enjoy the concert!

This is a great time of year to document any amphibian species along the Maple Highlands Trail. Watch out for them especially on warm, rainy days since they may be crossing the trail. Please photo-document any that you see in your travels. Happy spring, everyone!

The weather has been saying "autumn." That autumn smell is in the air as well. With the cooler temperatures, reptiles may take to warming themselves on the asphalt of the Maple Highlands Trail. Keep an eye out for them if you're walking, running, riding along the trail and maybe help them off the pavement so they don't get run over. Don't forget to take pictures and add them to this project. Also, some of the blooming fall wildflowers (goldenrods, ironweed, wingstem, jewelweed) attract a plethora of insects and often they make good photographic subjects as they busily work the flower blossoms. Any bee photographs can be added to the Ohio Bee Atlas project as well as this project.

They are here; those hot, sultry days between July 3rd and August 11 when nature seems to quiet down with the heat. Insects, however, seem to be fine with the heat, so keep an eye out for them as they visit some of the blooming plants along the Maple Highlands Trail. There are some nice patches of common milkweed in bloom now and they attract a plethora of pollinating insects. There is an iNaturalist project called the Ohio Bee Atlas, so any bee photographs can beee contributed there. Also, the Ohio Odonata Society (dragonflies and damselflies) have a project in iNat as well; the Ohio Dragonfly Survey. So as you travel the trail, keep these projects in mind and keep the photos coming! Happy Summer!