First Butterflies of 2010!

Last weekend we had our first butterfly sighting posted on the Ocean State Butterflies Yahoo group…spring is really on the way! A number of Mourning Cloaks and Eastern Commas came out of hiding in the sunny warm weather.

We have confirmed the dates for the 2010 RI Butterfly Counts and orientation dates:

Butterfly Count Orientations
Environmental Education Center (Bristol): June 15, 6:30-8 p.m.
USFWS Kettle Pond Visitor Center: July 1, 7-8:30 p.m.
Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge: July 6, 6:30-8 p.m.
Fisherville Brook Wildlife Refuge: July 7, 7-8:30 p.m.

Butterfly Counts:
Bristol and Newport County Circles: Saturday, June 19

Providence, Kent and Washington County Circles: Saturday, July 10

The pricing structure is a little bit different this year. Audubon is charging $6 to participate in the count, but this includes both count dates! So if you count butterflies on June 19, you pay $6. If you count butterflies on June 19 and July 10, you still only pay $6. The orientation is included in this fee. If you just want to do the orientation/ID workshop and not the count, it is still $6. Simple, right? Hopefully!

Let me know if you would like more information or to be added to the email list for the Count: 401-949-5454 x3044 or jlewis@asri.org. We always love new participants!