Off-Season Activities

The PAFF board is busy planning for 2018 firefly season.

Each year we learn more and more about these insects and the forest where they live.  Last year's special guest, Sara Lewis, Ph.D. (pictured below) did the most to help us understand our significance and the responsibility we have to all the fireflies in Forest County.  As a result, the PAFF board realizes we have a unique opportunity to create a more intimate educational setting for visitors while protecting the firefly habitat and ultimately the longevity of the species in Forest County.  So this year, limited numbers of firefly walks (both in terms of group size and frequency) and increased ticket prices will be adopted to ensure an improved experience for the visitors.  If you want to see fireflies in the forest this year, stay tuned to this blog, the pafireflyfestival.org and facebook pages to get the latest information on festival registration and seasonal firefly excursions.

 We have been blessed to receive another Huplits Wildlife Grant from the Sierra Club, Allegheny group and another J. Bowman Proper Trust grant to help us continue our educational mission and celebration of these amazing insects.  With the funding, we will be able to sponsor another summer research intern, provide guided firefly excursions, improve seating at the festival, sponsor music & entertainment for festival visitors and continue the educational outreach to groups and schools.   PAFF board members are passionate about researching and learning as much as we can to make 2018 even better for both the visitor and the fireflies.

July is "Big Dipper" Time!

The festival is now been over for a month, but that doesn't mean there aren't fireflies to see.  The Synchronous season ended July 12, and officially made the 2017 season the longest in our  5-year history of data.  However, just as the last of the Synchronous shows ended and the Chinese Lanterns faded, new species began to emerge with just as impressive shows as our June species.

Currently, the lawns and farm fields all over northwest Pennsylvania are lighting up with displays by the "Big Dippers", the J-shaped light of Photinus pyralis.  You can almost set your watches to these displays.  They start around 9:00 pm with a peak around 9:15-20 and ending around 9:45.  They typically fly up from the grass and flash 12-18 inches off the ground at first, flying higher, up to 12-15 feet as they "warm-up".  Usually, children have no trouble catching these seasonal delights (just be sure to release them that night in the same area you caught them).  If you aren't seeing them in your neighborhood or fields, that's a sign that something is just not right.  You may want to take stock and evaluate your habitat more closely around your home for light pollution and/or pesticides.

SAYING GOODBYE:  We want to especially thank this year's PAFF Summer Intern, Peyton Breault, for all of her hard work and commitment to the fireflies of the Allegheny National Forest.  Peyton was able to help identify a lot of the flowers and plants associated with the Synchronous firefly displays and habitats.  We hope to use this information in the future to help us not only predict the display onset and peak, but to preserve and restore habitat.  We wish her well in her Senior Year at Florida Southern College and look forward to what she will become as a successful scientist.

Thank you to all who supported this year's festival with your volunteering, donations and expertise.  We will continue to learn as much as we can about fireflies in the Allegheny National Forest area, and are busy already making plans for next year.

It's June!

It's June and the firefly season is just beginning.  We have sightings of fireflies in the fields, along the creek and in the forest.  The night time temperatures are just perfect.  Last night, we observed 30-40 synchronous fireflies after 10:30 pm.

The 5th Annual PA Firefly Festival is now less than 2 weeks away and the major change this year is the reservation policy for the firefly walks.  We are now sold out and the registration is CLOSED.

Don't worry; there is still a lot to do at the festival during the day.  Come enjoy the live music (see the schedule below) performed by some of the most talented musicians in the area, eat a delicious taco or burger from Mobile Fresca or Annabelle's food trucks, peruse and learn about fireflies and other natural flora and fauna in the Allengheny National Forest, shop the festival merchandise or arts/crafts vendors for a gift or treasure and/or take a trek down the creek or in the forest to see the firefly habitats in the daylight.  You won't go away empty stomach or handed.

If you can't make it here the night of the festival and still want to see fireflies, you can book a guided Seasonal Firefly Walk on any night between June 16 and July 1 for a $5 per person donation to PAFF.  We will meet and depart from the Black Caddis Ranch at 9 pm for the creek to walk amongst the "Chinese Lanterns" and then hike back into the forest after 10 pm to watch the Synchronous shows.

Do you live in the area?  Don't want to fight festival crowds?  We are hosting a Locals' Night for the residents and seasonal campers of Forest County on Wednesday, June 14.  Meet us here at Black Caddis Ranch at 9 pm.

Last but not least... The "Silent Sparks" PAFF Benefit night is Wednesday, June 21st.  The world-renowned firefly expert and author Dr. Sara Lewis will be at West Forest High School to provide a multi-media presentation about her life experiences with fireflies.  Doors open at 6 pm and donations will be accepted at the door.  There will be basket raffles, 50/50, Silent Sparks books and PAFF merchandise for sale.  At 6:15, the short documentary film Brilliant Darkness: Hotaru in the Night will be shown to open the evening.  After Dr. Lewis' presentation, she will take questions from the audience and sign books.  This is a great way to learn about and experience fireflies if you are not an "outdoor" person or can't walk into the forest. You won't want to miss this inspirational and unique evening.

The Season is Heating Up!

We are counting days now, (40  to be exact) to the festival.  However, there are plenty of opportunities being offered this year for viewing and learning about fireflies leading up to the day of the festival on June 24.

The first opportunity will be the Locals' Night, Wednesday, June 14   All local residents and campers of Forest County are invited to join us for a FREE special preview night of the fireflies in Kellettville.  We will depart from the Black Caddis Ranch at 9:00 pm to walk to the Kellettville bridge to view the "Chinese Lanterns" and the return by 10:00 pm to walk into the forest to view the "Synchronous" firefly.  Weather will be factor, so if we have thunderstorms or temperatures below 60 degrees, we will reschedule for Friday, June 16.  RSVP on the Facebook page.

Here are some suggestions to enhance your firefly experience.

1. Dress for walking in the forest.  Wear sturdy footwear, long sleeves and pants. 
2.  Bring a walking stick/trek poles. 
3.  Flashlights should be covered with a blue or red filter, or let your eyes adjust to the darkness and see the brilliant show naturally. 
4. We encourage an up close and intimate experience with the fireflies.  Children may catch fireflies, but we ask that they release them as soon as possible after observing them. 
5. Fireflies don't sting or bite, but ticks and mosquitos do.  If you choose to wear insect repellent, please DO NOT handle the fireflies.  If you dress protectively and check for ticks when you get home, you should not have to worry.

That same evening, we will be training new Firefly Guides.  All interested Firefly Guides are asked to come at 8:00 pm to get the information they need to lead nightly walks and the 100s of fireflyers at the festival.  Guides this year will be compensated and should apply in advance on the Pa Firefly Festival website.

More to come next week, when we will blog about the Seasonal Nightly Walks, and the Silent Sparks Benefit.  Check out the pafireflyfestival.org for more information too.

Updates

The 5th Annual Pa Firefly Festival at the Black Caddis Ranch in Kellettville, PA is less than two months away and we're excited to show you how much we've grown! If you haven't already, now is the time to get your travel plans set so you can join us this year.
   Although we're no longer offering camping on the festival site, there are plenty of camps, hotels and other lodgings nearby from which to choose.  Book now to avoid being disappointed!  Find a list of nearby lodging HERE!!
   New this year, we're asking attendees to REGISTER if they want a spot in our Creek and/or Forest Walks during the festival.  It's still free, but registering will help us to organize the crowds and give you the best firefly experience possible.  Register beginning May 1 HERE.
   Also new this year, we're offering a VIP Synchronous Firefly Experience!  For a $10 (per person) donation, you'll get access to the exclusive VIP firefly viewing area, your own dedicated firefly interpretive guide and up to an hour of uninterrupted viewing.  Secure your VIP Experience HERE.
   Don't want to fight the crowds on June 24th?  Black Caddis Ranch is offering nightly guided walks for a $5 donation (per person) to PAFF.  Walks can be scheduled on evenings from June 16 through July 1. Schedule a seasonal walk HERE.