BioBlitz at Allen Acres

This is National Moth Week and for the third or fourth year running–can’t remember for sure–Charles Allen is running a week-long BioBlitz at Allen Acres, located a few miles south of Cravens, La. on Hwy 399.

The week’s events started last Saturday with a fungi inventory lead by experts David and Pat Lewis. It’s been a bit dry, but as Charles says, the Lewises could “find mushrooms in a desert.”

Of course, the week long event really began at 5:30 a.m. last Saturday when Charles checked his numerous mothing sheets to see what the night had brought. Last I heard, Charles had identified over 700 species of moths at Allen Acres, faithfully checking his sheets most evenings and early mornings.

This coming Saturday, Craig Marks will conduct a butterfly count, first at Allen Acres, then at a couple sites in the Kisatchie National Forest. Craig does this every year and can use lots of help. I will take my copy of his new book along to get signed.

I am heading to Allen Acres Thursday and will be there through Saturday late afternoon. In addition to mothing, plant identifying and helping count butterflies, I will count dragonflies and damsel flies, recording species and numbers to the best of my limited ability, until I leave some time late Saturday afternoon.

Yes, it’s hot. So we will take plenty of breaks indoors, keep hydrated, and have a blast, I’m sure!

BTW, Allen Acres includes a lovely B&B at a reasonable price and Susan Allen’s meals are beyond delicious. Lunch and dinner are just $10 a pop. And if you prefer, you can camp on the grounds for a very modest price. Check it out here.