Upcoming Events

Catching fireflies on warm, summer nights was a favorite part of my childhood. I learned that male fireflies flashed and glowed to find a mate, but I never knew there were hundreds of kinds of fireflies, including ones that were poisonous, venomous pack hunters, mimics, or even cannibals!

Join me, Matthew Speights, to discover the hidden world of fireflies and the amazing diversity of their species, behaviors, and lifestyles. We’ll discover the strategies fireflies use to survive snow, avoid predators like bats, or share information as they flash with yellow, green, and even orange lights. In the process, we’ll learn why fireflies are disappearing, what their environmental needs are, and what we can do to help them survive.

Bonus: Get a preview of the Spring Treetop Flasher, the first glowing firefly of Spring, that we will hike to see tomorrow night.. Meet at Kirby Nature Preserve, 2 East Main Street in Addyston, Ohio. Free, RSVP as space is limited.

Matthew Speights will lead a nighttime hike on Bender Mountain to see the first glowing firefly species of Spring. Hikers will need a red headlamp/flashlight to preserve their night vision, as well as sturdy shoes/boots and a hiking stick to hike steep trails in the dark (fireflies will not come out until approximately 10:00 pm). Free, RSVP required.

No matter if you are learning to ID birds, or want to learn how they nest or how they migrate, one way to learn more is to observe a bird banding session. Bird banding is the practice of safely applying a band or tag to part of the bird, usually the leg, for data collection and individual identification. Banding birds allows researchers to learn the migration patterns, life span, breeding territory, and feeding areas of different bird species. Identifying these patterns and behaviors within bird populations plays a critical role in designing and implementing conservation programs for different species of birds.

But not just anyone can place bands on birds; you must have the required permits and approvals. Banding offers an intimate glimpse into the behavior of birds. Join us for this interactive outdoor program for a chance to watch bander Adam McCosham in action, while getting a chance to see various bird species up close and personal. You will learn how to identify birds in the hand as well as see how bird banders age, weigh and sex the birds as well as how they affix the band.

Adam is currently a Conservation and Parks Manager with the Great Parks of Hamilton County. With a degree in Natural Resource Management, Adam has spent the last four years training to band birds and loves passing on his knowledge of natural history to others. Free, RSVP required.

The focus will be on songbirds: nesting songbirds and those returning to SW Ohio to nest, as well as any other species we encounter! Beginning Birders are welcome! Dress for the weather; binoculars/camera, sturdy shoes, and water recommended. Depending on birds seen, the hike should last 2-3 hours but you may leave the hike at any time. Meet at Kirby Nature Preserve, 2 East Main Street in Addyston, Ohio. Cost: Free. RSVP required.

Kathi Hutton began birding in the winter of 1993-94 when she identified her first White-crowned Sparrow. In the thirty years since, she has attained a Life List of 514 species worldwide, 433 species in North America, and 324 species in Ohio. When not birding, Kathi enjoys spending time with and training her dogs, growing orchids, gardening with native plants, and Reds baseball. Kathi is an Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist. Her interests go beyond birding to include wildflowers, butterflies, and the interconnection of the natural world. Her joy is to share her passion for nature with others.

Matthew Speights will lead a nighttime hike on Bender Mountain to see firefly species like the Little Gray Firefly, Chinese Lantern Firefly, and Blue Ghost Firefly. Hikers will need a red headlamp/flashlight to preserve their night vision, as well as sturdy shoes/boots and a hiking stick to hike steep trails in the dark (fireflies will not come out until approximately 10:00 p.m.). A limited number of hikers will be taken. Cost is free, but registration is required.

Admired the world over, butterflies are treasured for their beauty and grace. This walk will focus on finding and identifying butterflies on the various plants found at Kirby Nature Center. You will learn how to best attract them to your yard too. Dr. Glenn Crisler II, PhD., is an amateur lepidopterist who hails from Brookhaven, Mississippi. He moved to Cincinnati, OH after completing his Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry in 2019.

In addition to being an Analytical Chemist, Glenn is also passionate about nature and lends his expertise with others by leading outdoor naturalist hikes and delivering lectures for various state parks and societies. Some of Glenn’s work is published in the journal News of the Lepidopterist’s Society, a journal dedicated to the study of Lepidoptera. In addition, Glenn is an excellent photographer in the field as you can see by the photo of the Tiger Swallowtail nectaring on Aster