We apologize for any inconvenience, but this singing insect walk has filled to capacity. Please email admin@potomacaudubon.org if you would like to be added to the waitlist.

Trip Leader: Wil Hershberger

Registration is required and will be limited to 5 participants, ages 14 years and older. Please register below.

PMVN Continuing Education Eligible

Due to Covid-19, the following national, state and local guidelines will be enforced. As we get closer to the event, we may re-evealuate the situation and changes may be made at that time.

• Registrations are limited to 5 participants – registration is mandatory
• This event is outdoor only – the Nature Center will be closed
• Participants must wear masks when in a group setting
• Participants must respect the physical distancing guidelines of 6 or more feet apart

Join Wil Hershberger, local insect expert, for an evening insect walk at Cool Spring Preserve. Listen and learn about all the various insects we hear in the summer and early fall months.

Mr. Hershberger is co-author of “The Songs of Insects”, a book and audio CD published by Houghton-Mifflin Company. He is also the instructor of our very popular Birding 101 class. Mr. Hershberger has been photographing and recording the natural world for more than a decade and his work has been published in magazines, calendars, and books. His recordings of birds, frogs and insects are archived at the Macaulay Library of Natural Sounds at the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology. His website can be found at natureimagesandsounds.com.

The walking group will assemble at 7:45 p.m. at the parking lot of Cool Spring Preserve, the walk will start at 8 p.m.

From the parking lot, Mr. Hershberger will lead an exploration along the trails of Cool Spring Preserve, passing through meadow, woodland and marsh. Insects likely to be encountered include tree crickets, several species of meadow katydids, one or two species of round-winged katydids, northern true katydids, oblong-wing katydids, and perhaps some bush katydids. In 2017, this very walk found the first documented occurrence of Long-spurred Meadow Katydid in Jefferson Co., WV. Hopefully, we will see them again, and who knows what else may be found.

Those who wish to participate should bring a flashlight and be prepared (if you choose) to walk through high grass, weeds and marsh. Tucking pants legs into socks and spraying them with a DEET-based insect repellent is recommended.

The walk will not take place if it is raining. All fees are nonrefundable.

Please contact Krista Hawley at adultprograms@potomacaudubon.org or call the Cool Spring Preserve Nature Center at 681-252–1387 with any questions you may have.