Calling Bug Enthusiasts to join us in the hunt for Caterpillars! at Leesylvania State Park
Did you know that baby birds need soft-bodied insects like caterpillars when they first hatch? Did you know that many trees species are the hosts for many types of butterflies and moths?
We will show you (and/or your kids) how to find caterpillars and how to help scientists and Leesylvania State Park learn the types of caterpillars and other bugs that are feeding the birds and other animals at the park.
Newly hatched baby birds cannot eat the hard bodies of adult insects. Knowing when the young insects become available to the birds and when the baby birds are hatched, helps scientists see how global warming is affecting the availability of food vs. the need of the food available to birds feeding their newly hatched babies.
Merrimac Farm Master Naturalists will teach you how to participate in the Caterpillars Count! project at home and, we hope, you (and family) will be willing to come out every few weeks and survey sites at the park (maybe every 3-4 weeks). Surveying wildlife is often accepted volunteer work for school requirements.
Join us March 26th, 2 pm at the Visitor Center
RSVP via “Events” at
https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/
Note: It takes about 10 minutes from the front gate to reach the visitor center. Please allow that extra time. There is a park entrance fee. You can prepay online before coming out.
