Fireflies After Dark

When the sun goes down on a warm Cape Cod summer night, a different kind of light show begins. Fireflies are one of nature's most enchanting displays, and there's far more going on behind those flashes than meets the eye.

On this evening walk through the sanctuary trails, a Wellfleet Bay naturalist will decode the secret language of firefly flashes, revealing how different species communicate, attract mates, and, in some cases, even deceive one another. You'll learn how to identify species by their unique flash patterns and keep watch for other nocturnal wildlife stirring in the dark around you. Firefly populations are under pressure worldwide, and you'll discover what you can do to support them closer to home.