Trip Leader: Wil Hershberger

PMVN ReCert Eligible

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

Mr. Hershberger is coauthor 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.

This walk is a family-oriented event that is especially popular with children, but anyone with an interest is welcome to participate.

There is no fee (donations accepted) but space is limited and preregistration is required.

The walking group will assemble at 7:30 p.m. at the parking lot of Cool Spring Preserve.

From the parking lot, Wil Hershberger will lead an exploration along the CSP trails 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.  Last year, 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.

Hershberger, who lives in Hedgesville, is one of the area’s leading naturalists.

He 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

Please contact Krista Hawley at adultprograms@potomacaudubon.org or 703-303-1026 with any questions you may have.