Nature Notes: Time is running out to spot fireflies

Get in quick! The very short firefly breeding season is coming to an end. And I know what you're all thinking: "Wait. We have fireflies in Australia?!"

We actually have more than 25 species of native fireflies and you can find some right here in the Illawarra. Their breeding season usually only lasts a few weeks, wrapping up in mid-December. However, this year they started early and the peak has already come and gone. But if you head out in the next few days, you might get lucky and spot their flashing bums as they duck in and out of the bush from 8-9pm on their search for a mate.

I spoke to local light enthusiast David Finlay earlier this year, about all the local glowing things and you can read more about that in this article here (it also has all the information on where to find the elusive ghost mushrooms and ocean-based bioluminescence too).

The most reliable place in the Illawarra to see fireflies is at Cascade Falls, at the bottom of Macquarie Pass. You're going to want to get in before dark so you don't end up in the water, slather on the insect repellent and get yourself a red head torch.

The good news is, if you miss the fireflies, there's also plenty of glow worms around the falls. And as these special animals are only found in Australia and New Zealand, the glow worms themselves are worth the effort of heading out into the dark.