Trying to find fireflies for the kids...

[bessiedog]

Way back in the day, we used to have a lake lot on LaclaNonne. One of the highlights of the may long weekend (and early june) was seeing the fireflies.

It was an amazing thing. Since then, I've only found one small group around Edmonton.
So I'm wondering if they exist anywhere in SW Alberta? I'd love to camp out and have my kids see such an amazing nature thing.

Can anyone offer 2 cents of help on this?

bd

[TheClash]

i have never seen any down here in the south...ever.

lived in maryland for a bit, saw them there...

[Sooner]

Seen them at Slave Lakes provincial campground.

[pitw]

They come out every year around here around the 20-27 of June. I take the boys out to watch them every year.

[The Copenhagen Kid]

af couple years ago, saw them at buffalo lake (Rochon Sands)...grew up camping in the area, and that was the first time I ever saw them!
Was very neat to say the least...

[BEL]

I have land in the Winfield area, which is north of Rimbey. About 5 years ago I was about to go to sleep when I saw something blink. I thought I was seeing things--I would keep my eye on it, but it would move. I was after a few minutes of this that I realized they were fireflies. I have seen them 4 or 5 times since then. I suspect I have seen them on my trail camera also. They are very cool. BEL

[Don Meredith]

I've seen them here in the Wabamun area from time to time over the years . But they are out only a few days in the spring. If you see one, wait and soon you'll see others in the shrubs and trees. They are very small and are actually beetles. Very cool indeed.

[Young Eldon]

I have seen them a couple km south east of Buck Lake and in the wet areas east of Rocky Mountain House a few km.

[Private Ear]

I used to see them down on the NSR flats around Drayton Valley all the time.

Last year I saw them around Crowfoot creek by Cluny so they are around. Just have to be there at the right time.

[whitetailsheds]

Have seen them frequently at the folks place, just east of Morningside.
Used a "snipe" hunting trick though....1st u need to make and wear a tinfoil hat with 2 antennae on it, 2nd walk around after dark banging on the bottom of an ice cream pale with a stick, yelling "woo-who, woo-who, woo-who" REALLY LOUD.
The fireflies eventually come out.......

[Jayball]

I have seen them up at pinehurst lake at the back of the provincial campground... loved it... i have a 5 y/o and 7y/o hope to find some this summer...

[TheClash]

Originally Posted by pitw

They come out every year around here around the 20-27 of June. I take the boys out to watch them every year.

and you are where??

[Dolittleandsitmore]

...used to live in Thorsby, AB area near Pigeon Lake. There were quite a few lightning bugs end of May-early June. Mostly in the woods which were poplar, swamp spruce, wild rose, red willow, along a small stream. Haven't been there in years so don't know if that area"'s been cleared now..but they were lovely to watch..varied patterns of flashing and length of glow time was fun to watch..taught many children to learn about them, as campers.

.

[pikergolf]

Only place I have seen them in the SE is Bullshead.

[Vacation]

I saw them last summer, around July 1 near Meota, Sask. I have not seen them for about 20 years...great to see them again. they were lighting up in a hayfield non-stop. It was awesome.

[kidd]

Was driving at night in Manitoba in early June one year and its quite the sight to see them hit the windshield and glow for a little while....
kidd

[Bigwoodsman]

Two weeks ago I stopped at the scale house on Hi-way 63 just north of the junction with Hi-way 28. It was about 2 o'clock in the morning and there were several in the grass. Haven't seen these in years and didn't realize they were this far North.

BW

[B00MER]

We have seen them many times at Gull Lake. In early July, from the boardwalk between Brewers and Lakeview campgrounds. Dont usually look for them till after dark, 11pm or later.

[srp71]

I grew up just east of Nakamun(I'm 40ish now).about ten years ago was the one and only time I saw them in a old tall grass slough just down the road from ma's house.I went and got her and we watched them for a long while.Besides that one time I think I have seen them splattered on windshield the odd time.

[sprinklerdog]

We were at the lions campground in Devon when the kids saw them for the first time. I told a friend who is born and raised in Alberta and she has never seen them here. The kids loved it.

Geo

[Kokanee9]

Lots of places off the #2 highway have them. I have seen them at the north end of Calgary, Crossfield, Didsbury, and Innisfail.

1) Look for an area that has been a grassland/pasture area for quite a while.
2) They only last around 1 to 2 weeks at the most from what I have seen. Normal seems to be 4-8 days.
3) Late at night, after 11 pm as posted earlier and until the morning dew hits.
4) Most important time of year is when the temp at night is warm enough that you don't need a jacket of any kind during the night. Usually around the 2nd-3rd week of June.
5)No street lights, vehicle headlights in the area or you wont see them.

[Lefty-Canuck]

Just bumping this thread...in all my years I have never seen firefly's until this weekend at the Whitecourt 3d Shoot....they were everywhere and little flashes were popping like mad!

Was very cool!

LC

[boonedocks]

The one and only time that I've seen them was about 25 years ago at peanut lake, south of Barrhead! I too, thought that I was hallucinating! Super cool.

[Eye'ee]

Hi lefty, I live in Whitecourt. I've never seen them here. Did you watch them at a campground or the archery range? My kids are older now but I'd still love to have all of us see them. Thanks so much

[msguns]

I have seen lots in the US, none in Canada. Too bad you can't buy them like lady bugs and realease a few (as it seems they do get this far north from some of these reports).

[greylynx]

You know Bessiedog, why don't you make your own fireflies. But you can't.
And boy do I know how to make fireflies.

I would send you some recipes, but a science teacher can no longer have fun in the classroom.

I am sure bringing wild specimens into the classroom is also strictly verboten.

[tri777]

Had tons of them out last night, around midnight, here..

[Lefty-Canuck]

Originally Posted by Eye'ee

Hi lefty, I live in Whitecourt. I've never seen them here. Did you watch them at a campground or the archery range? My kids are older now but I'd still love to have all of us see them. Thanks so much

They were out around midnight at the archery range all around the clubhouse and trails.

LC

[Eye'ee]

Thanks lefty. That's terrific

[Lefty-Canuck]

Originally Posted by Eye'ee

Thanks lefty. That's terrific

Not sure how long they are out or how long their life cycle is but it was quite the sight to see, I hope you have an experience as well!

LC