Upcoming TNA field trips – June/July 2019

[Kim SmithParticipant]

As always, TNA field trips are free and open to the public unless stated otherwise. Please join us when you can!

Dragon Hunting at Wiregrass Lake
Dashers, dancers, clubtails, and bluets! What better place to stalk odonates than the spot that has more recorded species of dragonflies and damselflies than any other Toledo Metropark? Join Kim Smith for a morning of looking up, down, and all around Wiregrass Lake. We’ll see photogenic crowd-pleasers like the Calico Pennant as well as the needle-sized Bluets that hide in the grass. Bring your binoculars and camera for the leisurely half-mile walk around the lake.
Saturday, 6/8, 9:00-11:00 am, Wiregrass Lake Metropark

Breeding Birds of the Oak Openings
Always a favorite, this trip is designed to see some of the regular breeding birds of the Oak Openings. Species we will seek include Lark Sparrow; Grasshopper Sparrow; Henslow’s Sparrow; Pine, Blue-winged and Hooded Warblers; Blue Grosbeak and Summer Tanager. Last year, our field trip leader Matt Anderson kept a close eye on a Chuck-will’s-widow that decided to take up residence in the park over the summer. You just never know what you’re going to find in the Oak Openings. Bring your bug spray. Long pants and closed-toe shoes are also recommended.
Tuesday, 6/18, 6:30-8:30 pm, Oak Openings Lodge

Monclova Sand Pits
This lesser known area of Oak Openings Metropark has plenty to offer in the way of flora as well as fauna. Blooming yellow-eyed grass, colic root, club mosses, sundews, and milkwort are some of the plants we should find. Dragonflies and butterflies abound, as well as many other interesting insects including the antenna-waving wasp. We may try to do some netting of critters, land and aquatic, for closer inspection. Meet trip leader Elliot Tramer at the Buehner Nature Center, Oak Openings Metropark.
Saturday, 6/29, 9:00 am to noon, Buehner Nature Center, Oak Openings Metropark

Butterflies of Kitty Todd
Jan Dixon will lead this trip during the height of the butterfly season, and with good temperatures and sun we will see a nice variety of butterflies. Of special interest will be the hairstreaks that fly during early July. With luck, we could see 5-6 hairstreak species, including the Acadian, which is unique to Kitty Todd. Depending on the butterflies we may search a new area, Salamander Flats, a quick drive from the office area. Please bring water. Protected shoes and long pants are recommended.
Sunday, 7/7, 11:00am to 1:00 pm, Kitty Todd, 10420 Old State Line Road, Swanton

Annual Potluck Picnic (members only)
It’s summer time and time again for the Annual TNA Members’ Potluck Picnic on the scenic Maumee River (the 7th Most Beautiful River in the World!). Meet us at the Indianola Shelter House of Farnsworth Metropark for social hour 4:00 p.m.

Dinner will begin around 5:30 p.m. Hot dogs and watermelon slices are provided by the Board; members, please bring a dish or side dish and beverages to share. Prizes for the best potluck contributions! No cost for TNA members with a food contribution to the potluck.

Space is limited! REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. Please complete the form on our website: https://www.toledonaturalist.org/?event=annual-potluck-picnic&event_date=2019-07-21. For members with technology issues, call Eric Durbin at (567) 952-0064.
Sunday, 7/21, 4:00-7:00 pm, Farnsworth Metropark’s Indianola shelter house

Location notes: Indianola Shelter House, Farnsworth Metropark, Old State Route 24/Anthony Wayne Trail, 1-1/4 miles south of Waterville. This is the “other shelter house,” about a 1/4 mile farther along the river from our usual site at the Roche du Boeuf Shelter House. It is the SECOND park entrance, and (no surprise) signed “Indianola.”

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