Why crows are destroying your lawn

Case in point: We found evidence of this at Peninsula Park, where large swaths of the field have been picked over for the beetle larvae dwelling beneath.

• And Reddit is chock full of similar reports from across North and Northeast Portland.

What they're saying: Crows are likely searching for European chafer beetle larvae, which feed on grass roots before becoming plump and juicy crow food in the fall, Marsha Chrest of the Bird Alliance of Oregon tells Axios.

• Residents can peel back a corner of their lawn to check for grubs but should think twice before applying pesticides, which can also kill beneficial insects, Chrest said.
• Instead, it's better to focus on recovery, raking your lawn back into place and reseeding any bare areas. Just make sure to cover the seed or the crows could feast on that too.

The bottom line: "Crows are highly intelligent, adaptable birds that play an important role in our urban ecosystems," Chrest continued. "While their foraging can be frustrating for homeowners and park visitors, they are simply taking advantage of an available food source."