Tracking Twinkles

To participate, click on the “Form | Formulaire” link at the top right corner of the website. You’ll be taken to the observation form.

Below, I have provided the explanations for each question. If you’d like to see this in French, click here.

What date and time did you make this observation?

Knowing when the observation was made helps us understand firefly activity patterns over time, both across the season and within the night.

What was the weather like?

Weather affects firefly visibility and behaviour. Let us know if it was:

• Clear

• Cloudy

• Raining

• Foggy

• Windy

What was the temperature?

Temperature matters! Fireflies are more active when it's warm. You can give an estimate in °C.

Do you see any fireflies flashing around you? 

Let us know how many fireflies you notice.

• None: You don’t see any

• Few: Between 1 and 10

• Many: More than 10

Even reporting “none” is important, as it helps us understand where fireflies are not found too!

Where are you?

Select the kind of place you're in. This helps us see which habitats support fireflies.

• Forest: Densely wooded area

• Meadow: Open, grassy field

• Urban park: City park with trees, paths, and lawns

• Backyard: Private or shared garden space

What percentage of the sky can you see above you?

Estimate how open the sky is:

• 100% means no trees or buildings above you

• 0% means fully covered (e.g. under thick trees)

How tall is the grass?

Grass height is linked to vegetation management. Fireflies often prefer less-maintained, wilder areas.

• None: No vegetation

• Under shoes: Very short grass

• Above shoes: Medium height

• Above knees: Tall grass

Is there artificial light (car lights, streetlights, house lights, etc.)?

Artificial light affects firefly behaviour. Let us know if any lights are nearby.

Is there leaf litter or dead branches?

Firefly larvae often develop in the soil and under natural debris. It’s a good sign for their habitat!

Is there open water (rivers, lakes, etc.)?

Some firefly species prefer moist environments near water.

Notes

Anything else you’d like to share? Unusual behaviours, sounds, weather, or anything you noticed.