Do you enjoy birding? Why not give bugging a try? If you garden with native plants, your yard can already likely host a vibrant, miniature safari through bug-land. Finding and observing these small, colorful creatures can be just as rewarding—and maybe easier—than birdwatching! With both birds and bugs on the decline, see how you can help, especially through native plant gardening. Learn some tips on how to use your smartphone as a tool for taking stunning, detailed bug photos, and apps like iNaturalist to help identify and easily log what you discover as part of a worldwide citizen science database.
Under the theme of “Buzz, Crawl, Flutter, Wow!”, attendees will be introduced to a fascinating cast of local characters, including butterflies, moths, bees, dragonflies, ladybugs, beetles, and spiders. Prepare to be amazed by the hidden, dramatic spectacles playing out in the undergrowth: emerald bees packing copious amounts of pollen onto their legs, clearwing moths that perfectly mimic hummingbirds, tiny candy colored leafhoppers that shoot honeydew drops out their posterior, carnivorous mantises stalking foraging bees, and clever spiders masquerading as ants. The presentation will also feature an intimate look at the awe-inspiring lifecycle of monarch butterflies, tracing their miraculous journey from a tiny egg to a winged marvel.
Our guide for the evening is Ted Kuklinski, an amateur bird and bug enthusiast who has been fascinated by the natural world since childhood. His focus shifted closer to home when his own front yard transitioned to milkweed and native plants, revealing an unexpected explosion of life. A dedicated local conservationist, Ted is a past president of the Newton Conservators, steward of the Dolan Pond Conservation Area, a board member of the Friends of Wellington Park, and a key organizer of the popular Newton Monarch Festival and Newton Pollinator Garden Tour.
This free presentation is proudly cosponsored by the Newton Free Library, the Newton Conservators, Newton Parks, Recreation & Culture, and the Newton Community Pollinator Project.
The talk will be in the Newton Free Library’s Druker Auditorium. You will be able to register online for this free event at the Newton Free Library website on their event notice (link coming soon).