News from the Friends of Reinstein

Nature Sightings

We are just beyond peak dragonfly season at Reinstein Woods. However you may still see as many as 12 different species of dragonflies and damselflies at the preserve. Flattail Lake is a hotspot for their activity. Some species to look for are eastern amberwings, Halloween pennants, blue dashers, Eastern forktails, and widow skimmers. There are a pair of fawns that visitors have seen very frequently along the trails. There are also several bucks in the preserve with velvet antlers, most with just 4 or 6 points on their rack. Come check out our new honey bee hive in the nature viewing area of our education center. If you enjoy butterflies you may look for silver spotted skippers, red admirals, and great spangled fritillaries visiting flowers around the education center. A few weeks ago you may have noticed monarch butterflies in flight at Reinstein Woods. Now is a good time to look at common milkweed leaves for monarch caterpillars. You may also find Milkweed beetles nibbling on milkweed leaves. On your next visit, listen for the buzz of cicadas high in the trees. Later in the evening you may also hear grey tree frogs in chorus. You may also see small leopard frogs zig-zagging in the grass as you walk along the ponds. They recently emerged in great numbers from the ponds. Keep your eyes open for hummingbird moths, they will be nectaring flowers shortly.