If trees could sing…

As summer wanes, so do the songs of the birds and frogs. By late August, our soundscape is replaced by the virtuosos of nature’s choir - the crickets, katydids and cicadas. Skilled in the arts of percussion and rhythm, these insects are capable of both high populations and impressive volume. All summer long these orchestra members have been quietly feeding on foliage, invisibly maturing in meadows and high in the forest canopy, But in their final instar, they re-enact an ancient ritual of transformation. Their bodies emerge from their last shed as living instruments, and this is when the fields and forests magically erupt into song.

With the exception of the Common Katydid, the several dozen species of insects that make up this enchanting symphony are under most people’s radar. For those lucky enough to live near a natural area, the night-time music of our late summer singers likely sounds like an indistinguishable curtain of sound. Expert course facilitators, Lisa Rainsong and Wendy Partridge, will show you how to untangle the noise, tune into the distinctive calls contributed by each species, and help you spot these well-camouflaged insects in their natural habitats. The course will be a mixture of indoor learning sessions and outdoor explorations, giving you a well-rounded experience in the world of these singing insects. Summer singers make music both day and night, and the members are active in predictable shifts. We will be studying them all - from the droning of the afternoon cicadas and trigs, to the ear-splitting night-time chanting of the cone-headed katydids and tree crickets, Lisa and Wendy will help your ears notice the quieter, and more meditative songs of the meadow katydids of the sun-drenched fields and the remarkably tiny crickets that chirp and trill from the foliage and can be heard singing all times of the day.

Course will be limited to 16 participants and each registrant will receive personal attention. Participants will learn how and why crickets, katydids, and cicadas make music, and tips on how to identify species by both sight and song. You will be taught the life cycles of our summer singers, and their ecological relationships with humans, plants, and predators. You will also learn how climate change is actively shifting our late summer singers’ range maps. Throughout the course, we will take the time to cherish these beautiful, secretive musicians as well as the natural habitats that support them.

A special note to participants: Although many of us associate percussion with low frequencies, our late summer musicians sing at frequencies that are higher than bird songs, and significantly higher than human conversation. The highest-frequency songs of them all belong to the meadow katydids, which are above the hearing range of most aging human adults. If you suspect you have a hearing disability, or if you are elderly, we recommend that you click on the website below before registering for this course. Lisa, your instructor, has found that hearing aids greatly increased the number of singers she can hear in the field. She would be happy to share her hearing aid experience with anyone who would like to know more. That said, all registrants of all hearing range abilities are definitely welcome to attend. You don’t have to be able to hear every one of the singing species to be able to enjoy and benefit from this course.

Insect Song Frequencies & Human Hearing

Questions or interest in making lodging reservations:
For event & lodging information: Cassidy Drummond, Education Coordinator at 937-794-3360
Email: cassidy.arcofappalachia@gmail.com

Cancellation policy.  In case of cancellation, refunds will be granted in full up until July 16, 2024. After that time, all payments are final and if not used, will be recorded as a tax-deductible donation to the Arc of Appalachia. Registrations are transferable. If transferring your registration to another party, please be sure to give us the recipient’s name and email.

Lodging. Lodging at the Sanctuary is optional but highly encouraged since we will be exploring the Sanctuary both during the day and into the night. The cost is $50/night in a room shared with another registrant of the same gender, and $85/night for a private room.

Meals. The course does not include meals. All lodges are equipped with fully equipped kitchens and dining facilities. Participants are asked to bring their own food supplies. Please plan to provide a packed lunch on Sunday, which will be eaten at the Appalachian Forest Museum with your colleagues.

Downloading recordings before you come is recommended. Lisa will provide recordings of the most common singing insects in advance of the course. In addition, the following websites will be very helpful resources:

Listening to Insects - an online field guide to the crickets and katydids of NE Ohio, by Lisa Rainsong

Songs of Insects by Wil Hershberger. Recordings and photos of the most common singing insects in the eastern U.S.

What should I bring? 

• Binoculars with the capacity for close-up focus (if you don’t have a pair, 8x42 is a good option). 

• Cell phone for insect ID apps, navigation, and photography

• A light separate from your phone. Flashlights and headlamps are encouraged (don’t forget to pack the charger or the rechargeable batteries!)

• Raingear

• Insect guide of choice (and./or download iNaturalist on your phone before arrival)

• a clear plastic jar (such as a Parmesan cheese bottle) - this will be helpful for temporarily catching insects. (We can also supply jars if you don’t have them) All insects will released exactly where they are found in their established home territory. You will be shown how to do this gently and safely.

• Water bottle and day pack to carry it in

• a day pack or fanny pack to carry things into the field

• Walking sticks to support being on your feet all day.

• a notebook or clipboard, pen, pencils, and paper (for sketching and field notes)

• Pocket money for snacks and small purchases

• A light-weight wide-brimmed hat for sun protection

• Light-weight long-sleeved shirts and long pants are recommended for sun and insect protection.

• Personal care items (soap, shampoo, etc.);  Sunscreen if you use it (note some are more environmentally friendly than others)

• Sunglasses if you are sensitive to bright sunlight

• First aid kit appropriate to your needs

• Optional. Insect repellent for ticks & chiggers, see details below.

Cell phone coverage and the internet are limited. Please note that the Sanctuary is in a rural location in the foothills of the Appalachians. Cell phone coverage is spotty and connectivity depends on your phone service company. However, limited Wi-Fi is available at the Museum headquarters where we will be spending a lot of time, while a short drive to Highway 50 connects to nearly every service provider.

Comfort in the out-of-doors. We will be spending most of our time in the field, so please pack clothing that will allow you to be comfortable for a variety of weather conditions. In southern Ohio, our temperature highs could be anywhere from the high eighties to the low nineties. We encourage you to check the weather forecast before you pack. Night-time lows are equally variable, anywhere from the fifties to low seventies, but most likely in the mid-sixties. 

Flying in? Participants may fly into either Cincinnati or Columbus. Both airports are 1 hour and forty-five minutes away from the Sanctuary. Shuttles are not available so participants may need to rent a car.

Emergency Messages. Emergency messages for course participants can be left at the mainline of the Highlands Nature Sanctuary (937) 365-1935 during daytime hours.

Poison Ivy. You will have minimal but possible exposure to poison ivy. In any case, the leaders know the plant well and will help you avoid exposure. If you do touch the leaves, washing vigorously with soap within an hour avoids reactivity in most people.

Should I prepare for insects?  Generally, the Sanctuary is not a buggy place for biting insects. We experience very few to no mosquitoes or black flies at the Sanctuary. You may encounter several species of ticks in the open fields, and chiggers in tall grass if you choose to wander into them (which is a good reason not to), and a few deer flies in low moist areas. That said, our tick population here is lower than in most southern habitats. If any of these challenges are new for you, let us know and we will do our best to orient you. No exposure to at least some insects in southern Ohio is not a realistic expectation for outdoor fieldwork. Since we do have ticks in our southern Ohio preserves, please read the notes below.

Please click here to learn about the considerable hazards presented by ticks and chiggers, and prepare your own insect repellant that is safe to use, affordable to make, and will give you the confidence to enjoy the out-of-doors.