Butterflying with Audubon

2011 Butterfly Count Report!

2011-12-16T09:10:00.000-08:00

We are happy to announce that the report for the 2011 Rhode Island Butterfly Count is in! In years past we have simply issued a spreadsheet of the results. But after 8 years of doing the count, we thought it was time for a more comprehensive publication with photos, graphs and analysis, not only for this year's results, but the results over time. Please click here to view the report. Your comments and feedback are welcome! Email julylewis at asri.org to share your thoughts.

We are looking forward to doing the count again in 2012!

Thank you Butterfly Counters!

2011-07-22T11:38:00.000-07:00

The annual RI Butterfly count is complete and nearly all the data is in! We will soon present the data in a report with a new, improved format. Thanks to everyone who participated for your contribution to butterfly conservation!

July

Join the RI Butterfly Count!

2011-06-15T12:34:00.000-07:00

Welcome! Audubon ivites you to join the Rhode Island Butterfly Count. The RI counts are a part of a continent-wide program of butterfly observation organized by the North American Butterfly Association. The Audubon Society of Rhode Island administers the Rhode Island counts.

Volunteers of all skill levels go to sites within 15-mile diameter survey areas and record butterfly species seen. Participants may survey on their own, with other participants, or at a "teaching site" led and coached by an Audubon staff member. Orientation and identification workshops are provided prior to the counts. A fee of $6 per count participant is charged to defray program costs. Detailed survey instructions are here.

RI Butterfly Count Dates:
Saturday, June 25—East Bay (some sites available in the west bay as well—see map for details.
Teaching Sites (meet at 10 am):
Environmental Education Center, 1401 Hope St., Bristol, RI. Led by Mike Tucker.
Norman Bird Sanctuary, 538 Third Beach Rd, Middletown, RI. Led by Lauren Miller.

Saturday, July 9—West Bay
Teaching Sites (meet at 10 am):
Powder Mill Ledges Refuge, 12 Sanderson Rd., Smithfield, RI. Led by Kim Calcagno.
Fisherville Brook Refuge, Pardon Joslin Rd., Exeter, RI. Led by Laura Carberry.
Trustom Pond, 1040 Matunuck Schoolhouse Road, South Kingstown, RI. Led by July Lewis

Once again we will have ID workshops/orientations for the count. These are required if you have not participated before (unless you are already a butterfly expert!)

Orientations/ID workshops before the count:
Environmental Education Center (Bristol): June 14, 6:30-8 p.m.
Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge (Smithfield): June 22, 6:30-8 p.m.
USFWS Kettle Pond Visitor Center (Charlestown): June 30, 6:30-8 p.m.
Fisherville Brook Wildlife Refuge (Exeter): July 5, 6:30-8 p.m.

Contact me at 401-949-5454 x3044 or jlewis@asri.org to get more information and to sign up for a survey site!

Yours,

July Lewis

Sign up for the Rhode Island Butterfly Count!

2011-03-30T11:39:00.000-07:00

Welcome! Audubon ivites you to join the Rhode Island Butterfly Count. The RI counts are a part of a continent-wide program of butterfly observation organized by the North American Butterfly Association. The Audubon Society of Rhode Island administers the Rhode Island counts.

Volunteers of all skill levels go to sites within 15-mile diameter survey areas and record butterfly species seen. Participants may survey on their own, with other participants, or at a "teaching site" led and coached by an Audubon staff member. Orientation and identification workshops are provided prior to the counts. A fee of $6 per count participant is charged to defray program costs.

RI Butterfly Count Dates:
Saturday, June 25—East Bay (some sites available in the west bay as well—see map for details: http://tinyurl.com/butterflycount2011)
Teaching Sites (meet at 10 am):
Environmental Education Center, 1401 Hope St., Bristol, RI. Led by Mike Tucker.
Norman Bird Sanctuary, 538 Third Beach Rd, Middletown, RI. Led by Lauren Miller.

Saturday, July 9—West Bay
Teaching Sites (meet at 10 am):
Powder Mill Ledges Refuge, 12 Sanderson Rd., Smithfield, RI. Led by Kim Calcagno.
Fisherville Brook Refuge, Pardon Joslin Rd., Exeter, RI. Led by Laura Carberry.
Trustom Pond, 1040 Matunuck Schoolhouse Road, South Kingstown, RI. Led by July Lewis

Once again we will have ID workshops/orientations for the count. These are required if you have not participated before (unless you are already a butterfly expert!)

Orientations/ID workshops before the count:
Environmental Education Center (Bristol): June 14, 6:30-8 p.m.
Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge (Smithfield): June 22, 6:30-8 p.m.
USFWS Kettle Pond Visitor Center (Charlestown): June 30, 6:30-8 p.m.
Fisherville Brook Wildlife Refuge (Exeter): July 5, 6:30-8 p.m.

Contact me at 401-949-5454 x3044 or jlewis@asri.org to get more information and to sign up for a survey site!

Yours,

July Lewis

2011 RI Butterfly Count dates are set!

2011-02-02T08:27:00.000-08:00

The dates for the 2011 RI Butterfly Count are set!

East Bay:
Saturday, June 25

West Bay:
Saturday, July 9

We are busily scheduling the orientation dates and other details. Check back here soon for more info, or contact July Lewis at jlewis@asri.org to be added to the Butterfly Count mailing list.

Winter has us in its icy grip right now, but it can't last forever...and we are always eager for the first butterfly sighting of the year! On those first warm sunny days, keep an eye out for Mourning Cloaks and other butterflies that overwinter as adults. Please report your sighting at Ocean State Butterflies Yahoo group: http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/oceanstatebutterflies/. Anyone can read the postings and you have to be a member to post. Joining is free and relatively easy--you just need to create a yahoo account--but you can email me at jlewis@asri.org if you run into problems.

Stay warm!

July Lewis

Butterflies in Winter

2010-12-01T09:29:00.000-08:00

It's winter--no more butterflies, right? Well, not necessarily... It is much too cold for butterflies now, but if we have a freak warm spell in winter, be on the lookout for Anglewing butterflies such as Eastern Commas, Question Marks, Milbert's and Compton Tortoiseshells, and of course, Mourning Cloaks. These butterflies all overwinter as adults and may emerge on a very warm day in winter or early spring. They all prefer wooded areas.

If you do see a butterfly in winter, please report your sighting at Ocean State Butterflies Yahoo group: http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/oceanstatebutterflies/. Anyone can read the postings and you have to be a member to post. Joining is free and relatively easy--you just need to create a yahoo account--but you can email me at jlewis@asri.org if you run into problems.

In the meantime, why not brush up your butterfly ID skills--or just enjoy some great butterfly photos--at Massachusetts Butterfly Club's website? There is a great feature on the left sidebar: "Can you ID this butterfly?"

Have fun and enjoy the winter!

July Lewis

Baltimore Checkerspot Lecture

2010-08-25T11:43:00.000-07:00

We had such a terrific North American Butterfly Association Count in Rhode Island this year (see results here), and the star of the show was the Baltimore Checkerspot! 3,240 of these beautiful butterflies were found in a single field. The team that surveyed the site was joined by Dr. Deane Bowers of the University of Colorado, who studies the Baltimore Checkerspot and is on sabbatical at Brown University. Dr Bowers will be presenting a talk on this remarkable butterfly and its life cycle. I hope you will attend!

Baltimore Checkerspot Butterfly: Evolution Unfolding
Environmental Education Center
1401 Hope St, Bristol, RI
Thursday, September 30
7 – 8:30pm
$6/member, $8/non-member
To register: Call (401) 949-5454 ext. 3041.

"The striking Baltimore Checkerspot butterfly is native to the eastern United States. Not only gorgeous behold, they have a fascinating story. Historically, the caterpillars fed on turtlehead, a wetland plant, and the butterflies were relatively uncommon. But recently populations of these butterflies have been making the switch to a different host plant - common Ribwort Plantain. This has sometimes resulted in dramatic population increases. Dr. M. Deane Bowers of the University of Colorado has studied the Baltimore Checkerspot for over 30 years and will share her research and a unique perspective on evolution unfolding in our lifetime."

Butterfly Count 2010 Results Are IN!

2010-07-29T13:58:00.001-07:00

The final results for the Audubon Society of Rhode Island’s 7th annual North American Butterfly Association Count have been released! Check it out by clicking here.

Sites in the East Bay were surveyed on June 19, and sites in the West Bay were surveyed on July 10. The 61 participants ranged from amateurs to Audubon naturalists to professional lepidopterists. Over the two survey dates a total of 7,221 butterflies were counted, more than double the previous maximum of 3,521 butterflies counted in 2008. This huge jump is due to 3,240 Baltimore Checkerspots counted in one field--which is more that we usually get for the whole state for all butterfly species combined!

We have been aware of this amazing, privately owned field in Bristol for a few years now, but this is the first time we have been able to get a team big enough and expert enough to survey the entire thing...not an easy task when there are butterflies bouncing everywhere you look!

Even without the Baltimore Checkerspots, it was a good year for butterflies. The spring and summer have been warm but not so dry that nectar sources dry up, and butterflies have been plentiful and early. We recorded an American Snout, which is a rare migrant to RI and has never before been seen on the count. We found a Broad-winged Skipper, also new to the count. It is not a rare butterfly but it tends to emerge just after the count is over. This year's warm temperatures may have caused them to start emerging a bit early. Harry Pavulaan, our RI butterfly expert, identified some Northern Crescents in our photos, which are extremely similar to the common Pearl Crescents.

So enjoy checking out the results. Feel free to contact me with any questions!

July Lewis
401-949-5454 x3044
jlewis at asri.org

Butterfly Count 2010 is complete!

2010-07-14T07:10:00.001-07:00

We successfully completed this year's NABA Butterfly Count in RI! The East Bay survey circles were counted on June 19 and the West Bay circles were counted on July 10. The results are still coming in and mystery photos are being identified, but this much we know--it will be a record-breaking year for numbers of butterflies! The previous maximum was 3,521 butterflies, and already we have 4,889 butterflies recorded! Much of this is due to one field in the Bristol Co. survey area that is teeming with Baltimore Checkerspots. 3,240 were counted in this one field! We are working with researchers who are studying this site and its amazing abundance. Another great find was the American Snout, which has never been found on the RI Butterfly Count before. It is a migrant species that is only seen occasionally in our area.

More interesting sightings are being reviewed--stay tuned for the final results!

Sign up for the Butterfly Count!

2010-05-28T07:34:00.000-07:00

The butterfly count is coming up soon! At this event, amateurs and experts go into 15-mile diameter survey areas and count as many butterflies as they can in one day. Check out the new google map of the survey circles: http://tinyurl.com/ributterflycount. Teams claim survey sites within the larger survey circles. In each circle, there will be one site led and coached by an Audubon staff member that anyone can join.

Orientations are held before the count, so don't be shy if you are a beginner! You will learn to start IDing butterflies right away.

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:
Saturday, June 19: Bristol and Newport County Circles (includes some "West Bay" areas as well--see map)
Saturday, July 10: Providence, Kent and Washington County Circles

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!

First Butterflies of 2010!

2010-03-13T09:08:00.000-08:00

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!

Save The Date for 2010 RI Butterfly Counts

2010-02-02T12:46:00.000-08:00

We've set dates for this year's RI NABA Butterfly Counts! At these events, amateurs and experts go into 15 mile diameter 'count circles' and identify as many butterflies as they can in a single day. The Bristol and Newport County circles will be counted on Saturday, June 19th. The Providence, Kent and Washington County Circles will be counted on Saturday, July 10th. More details will be posted as we get closer to the date.

Maps of the 5 RI count circles (one centered in each RI county) can be viewed by clicking on the link in the sidebar. Remember: some of the circles overlap quite a bit into other counties. The "Bristol" circle includes parts of Warwick, Cranston, Providence, East Providence and Massachusetts!

Beginners are welcome! If you've never participated in the Butterfly Count before and would like to be added to the email contact list or get more information, please contact me at jlewis@asri.org.

Looking forward to spring,

July Lewis

Happy New Year!

2010-01-05T12:35:00.000-08:00

2009 was an interesting year...a cool, wet spring led to low numbers of butterflies throughout the summer, but a warm fall kept butterfly sightings coming all the way into December, including a number of late flight records. What will 2010 bring? And who will spot the first butterfly of the year?

It is much too cold for butterflies now, but if we have a freak warm spell in winter, be on the lookout for Anglewing butterflies such as Eastern Commas, Question Marks, Milbert's and Compton Tortoiseshells, and of course, Mourning Cloaks. These butterflies all overwinter as adults and may emerge on a very warm day in winter or early spring. They all prefer wooded areas.

If you do see a butterfly in winter, please report your sighting at Ocean State Butterflies Yahoo group: http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/oceanstatebutterflies/. Anyone can read the postings and you have to be a member to post. Joining is free and relatively easy--you just need to create a yahoo account--but you can email me at jlewis@asri.org if you run into problems.

In the meantime, why not brush up your butterfly ID skills--or just enjoy some great butterfly photos--at Massachusetts Butterfly Club's website? There is a great feature on the left sidebar: "Can you ID this butterfly?"

Have fun and enjoy the winter!

July Lewis

Butterflies in December!

2009-12-07T07:35:00.000-08:00

What an amazingly warm fall we've had! On the Ocean State Butterflies Yahoo group, we've just had a December 4th sighting of an American Lady and three Orange Sulphurs in East Matunuck. The American Lady is a late-season record for Rhode Island. The snow we've just had over the weekend may spell the end for such sightings, but we'll see....another warm spell may bring them out again. Join the fun of sharing late-season sightings at http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/oceanstatebutterflies/. Anyone can read the postings and you have to be a member to post. Joining is free and relatively easy--you just need to create a yahoo account--but you can email me at jlewis@asri.org if you run into problems.

Enjoy the snow,

July Lewis

Late Fall Butterflies

2009-11-09T13:44:00.001-08:00

As I write this it is a warm November day, almost 70 degrees! Although the fall colors are well past their peak and we are getting frost on a regular basis, there are still butterfly sightings to be had on warm days like this.

On the Ocean State Butterflies Yahoo group, members are reporting persistent species like Clouded and Orange Sulphurs, Cabbage Whites, Monarchs, American Ladies and Red Admirals. Every sighting seems special because we don't know if it might be the last until spring. Anglewings like Commas and Mourning Cloaks, which overwinter as adults and can sometimes be seen on a warm day in the middle of winter, are also being spotted now. The best places to look for butterflies now are the coast, where the ocean warmth keeps things green a bit longer, and cities like Providence, where the urban "heat island" effect also extends the butterfly season. Nectar sources are rare this time of year, so check out garden chrysanthemums and any other late-blooming flowers you can find.

The fun of reporting these last sightings also has scientific value--lepidopterist Harry Pavulaan has collected several late sighting records for Rhode Island this season from observations reported on the list serve. Join the fun at http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/oceanstatebutterflies/. Anyone can read the postings and you have to be a member to post. Joining is free and relatively easy--you just need to create a yahoo account--but you can email me at jlewis@asri.org if you run into problems.

Enjoy the fall,

July Lewis

Monarch Migration

2009-09-29T13:45:00.000-07:00

Fall is here and Monarchs are migrating! Butterfly numbers have been low in the Northeast this year due to adverse weather conditions, and early reports indicate that the annual monarch migration may be less abundant this year than usual. But that's no reason not to look and find out for ourselves! Pick a warm and sunny day for your search. Migrating monarchs hug the shore, so head to a shoreline site such as Naparee Point in Westerly, Sachuest Point in Middletown, Trustom Pond in South Kingstown or Beavertail Park in Jamestown. Audubon's Touisset Refuge is a bit farther inland but has been known to harbor lots of monarchs as well. Monarchs can be found at many of our other refuges as well.

The monarch migration can be a spectacular event if you are lucky enough to see a large group roosting or on the wing. However, soon it will be too cold for butterflies to fly at all. So head out while it's still warm and enjoy their beautiful wings while you can! And while you're at it, post your sightings on the Ocean State Butterflies Yahoo group .You have to have a Yahoo account to join, but it is free and easy to get one...email July at jlewis@asri.org if you run into problems.

Enjoy the fall,

Eugenia Marks & July Lewis

Late Summer/Fall Butterfly Programs

2009-08-18T06:43:00.000-07:00

Summer is more than half over, but it feels like it just got here! Be sure to take advantage of butterfly season before it slips away. We invite you to attend one of Audubon's upcoming butterfly programs:

Touisset Butterfly Walk ~ Find colorful butterflies in the fields and meadows of Audubon’s Touisset Refuge in Warren. Saturday, August 22, 10 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Rain date Sunday, August 23.

Monarchs at Napatree Point ~ Migrating monarchs abound at Napatree Point in Westerly. Bring lunch for this van trip leaving Powder Mill Refuge in Smithfield at 10 a.m., returning at 3 p.m. Saturday, September 26. Rain date Sunday, September 27.

Call 401-949-5454 for more information and to register, or email Eugenia Marks at emarks@asri.org.

Hope to see you there!

July Lewis & Eugenia Marks

2009 Butterfly Count Results Are IN!

2009-07-29T13:38:00.000-07:00

What an interesting year this was for Rhode Island's North American Butterfly Association count! Despite effort increasing in each category (number of observers, hours, and miles surveyed) the number of butterflies sighted was almost 30% lower than last year! Number of species decreased only slightly. Since both count days were sunny, our data is a good reflection of the adult butterfly population at the time. We can make a reasonable guess that the cold rainy weather led to the decrease in numbers. As we continue to do this survey, we will be able learn more and more about our fluctuating butterfly populations and identify trends over time. We deeply appreciate your participation and your vital help in understanding butterflies in RI!

Here’s a summary of last year and this year:

2008:
51 species
3521 butterflies
62 observers
104.5 hours
65.9 miles

2009:
48 species
2484 butterflies (down almost 30%!)
72 observers
105.65 hours
71.3 miles

Full results here.

The Cumberland Monastery team of Elise Barry, Walter Bosse, Wendy Miller, Pat Molloy, and Dolores Price found the highest number of species—23!

The team that recorded the highest number of butterflies in 2009 (843) was Eugenia Marks, Debra & Kurt Stiffel, and Hugh Willoughby. They surveyed the Environmental Education Center in Bristol, and a privately-owned field that has yielded large numbers of Baltimore Checkerspots in the past. This year it was even more abundant, with 700 seen! Last year this site earned the Bristol Co. survey area the distinction of being tied with one other site in Canada for most number of Baltimore Checkerspots seen. We may get that honor again this year…

A very exciting find was Audubon Conservation Director Scott Ruhren’s discovery of a population of Bog Coppers in a remote cranberry bog on one of Audubon’s refuges. These are rare butterflies that are on the State Heritage List and are only found in cranberry bogs. They can be abundant within those rare sites that they are found, and Scott recorded 35! (We unfortunately can’t release the location both because of the fragility of the habitat and the difficult and dangerous access.)

More interesting sightings can be found in the results themselves—enjoy, and thanks to everyone who participated!

Eugenia Marks & July Lewis
Audubon Society of RI
401-949-5454 x3044

Join The Butterfly Count

2009-06-11T09:04:00.000-07:00

At Audubon we are very excited about our upcoming annual Butterfly Counts!

These annual butterfly counts are organized all over North America by the North American Butterfly Association (NABA). Audubon Society of Rhode Island coordinates the counts in Rhode Island and submits the data to NABA. Volunteers go into specified survey areas to identify and record all the butterflies they can in one day. The event is open to the public, and amateurs are welcome. Participants may choose to survey for the whole day or a shorter time if they choose. Survey areas, according to NABA protocol, are 15 mile diameter circles. Once plotted, these same areas are re-surveyed every year. Click here to see maps of the survey areas.

If you are interested in joining, contact July Lewis at 401-949-5454 x3044 or jlewis@asri.org. There is a fee of $5 per participant for adults and children over the age of 12 and there is no charge for younger children. Participants are asked to attend one of the following orientations before the count:

Butterfly Count Orientations/ID Workshops:
Tuesday, June 23—6-7:30 pm at Portsmouth Free Public Library, 2658 East Main Rd., Portsmouth
Wednesday, July 1—6:30-8 pm at Audubon Headquarters, Powder Mill Ledges Refuge, 12 Sanderson Rd., Smithfield
Tuesday, July 7th—7-8:30 pm at US Fish & Wildlife’s Kettle Pond Visitor Center, 50 Bend Rd., Charleston
Thursday, July 9—7-8:30 pm at Audubon’s Fisherville Brook Refuge, Pardon Joslin Rd., Exeter

Butterfly Counts: East Bay: Saturday, June 27, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. (Survey areas here also overlap into the West Bay) West Bay: Saturday, July 11, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

To get ready for the count, take a look at our Butterfly ID powerpoint, recently updated with local photos and new ID tips. If you want a challenge, check out our new, intermediate Butterfly ID Powerpoint 2: Skippers, Hairstreaks & Rarities.

Happy Butterflying!

Eugenia Marks & July Lewis Audubon Society of RI
401-949-5454

It's Spring!

2009-03-20T07:44:00.000-07:00

Goodbye cold and grey; hello sunshine, green grass, flowers, and of course--butterflies! On the Ocean State Butterflies yahoo group there have already been a few butterfly sightings posted. There is now a great new feature where everyone can add sightings directly to a database. Just go to the site, sign in, and click on "database" in the left sidebar, and go from there.

Audubon's butterfly programs for spring and early summer are scheduled. Come on out and join us as we search for spring butterflies! Call 401-949-5454 for more information and to register, or email jlewis@asri.org.

Butterfly Walks:
Mourning Cloak Walk ~ Powder Mill Ledges in Smithfield with Eugenia Marks. Saturday, April 25, 11 am-12:30 pm. Rain date Sunday April 26 at 1 pm.
Elfins at Nicholas Farm ~ Search for Elfin butterflies at Nicholas Farm in Coventry with Walter Bosse. Saturday, May 9--please note TIME CHANGE: 12:30 pm -2:30 pm (not 10 am -noon).
Butterflies at Caratunk ~ Family Butterfly Walk at Caratunk Refuge in Seekonk with Mike Tucker. Saturday, June 6, 10 am-12 pm.

Butterfly Count Orientations/ID Workshops:
Tuesday, June 23—6-7:30 pm at Portsmouth Free Public Library, 2658 East Main Rd., Portsmouth
Wednesday, July 1—6:30-8 pm at Audubon Headquarters, Powder Mill Ledges Refuge, 12 Sanderson Rd., Smithfield
Tuesday, July 7th—7-8:30 pm at US Fish & Wildlife’s Kettle Pond Visitor Center, 50 Bend Rd., Charleston
Thursday, July 9—7-8:30 pm at Audubon’s Fisherville Brook Refuge, Pardon Joslin Rd., Exeter

Butterfly Counts: East Bay: Saturday, June 27, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. (Survey areas here also overlap into the West Bay) West Bay: Saturday, July 11, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

These annual butterfly counts are organized all over North America by the North American Butterfly Association (NABA). Audubon Society of Rhode Island coordinates the counts in Rhode Island and submits the data to NABA. Volunteers go into specified survey areas to identify and record all the butterflies they can in one day. The event is open to the public, and amateurs are welcome. Participants may choose to survey for the whole day or a shorter time if they choose. Survey areas, according to NABA protocol, are 15 mile diameter circles. Once plotted, these same areas are re-surveyed every year.

If you are interested in participating, contact July Lewis at 401-949-5454 x3044 or jlewis@asri.org. We will send out information and requests to register for the count as we get closer to the date.

Eugenia Marks & July Lewis Audubon Society of RI
401-949-5454

2009 Butterfly Count and ID Workshops announced

2009-02-20T11:24:00.000-08:00

It may still be winter but here at Audubon, we are already planning for the summer! We have the Butterfly Count survey dates and the orientations scheduled:

Orientations/ID Workshops:
Tuesday, June 23—6-7:30 pm at Portsmouth Free Public Library, 2658 East Main Rd., Portsmouth
Wednesday, July 1—6:30-8 pm at Audubon Headquarters, Powder Mill Ledges Refuge, 12 Sanderson Rd., Smithfield
Tuesday, July 7th—7-8:30 pm at US Fish & Wildlife’s Kettle Pond Visitor Center, 50 Bend Rd., Charleston
Thursday, July 9—7-8:30 pm at Audubon’s Fisherville Brook Refuge, Pardon Joslin Rd., Exeter

Butterfly Counts:
East Bay: Saturday, June 27, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. (Survey areas here also overlap into the West Bay)
West Bay: Saturday, July 11, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

For anyone new to this list, these annual butterfly counts are organized all over North America by the North American Butterfly Association (NABA). Audubon Society of Rhode Island coordinates the counts in Rhode Island and submits the data to NABA. Volunteers go into specified survey areas to identify and record all the butterflies they can in one day. The event is open to the public, and amateurs are welcome. Participants may choose to survey for the whole day or a shorter time if they choose.

Survey areas, according to NABA protocol, are 15 mile diameter circles. Once plotted, these same areas are re-surveyed every year. We have maps of our Rhode Island survey areas on our butterfly web page, plus previous count results and lots of other information: http://butterflyingwithaudubon.blogspot.com/

If you are interested in participating, contact July Lewis at 401-949-5454 x3044 or jlewis@asri.org. We will be sending out more information and requests to register for the count as we get closer to the date. In the meantime, keep an eye out for Mourning Cloaks on warm winter days! And if you see one, you might want to post it at Ocean State Butterflies: http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/oceanstatebutterflies/ , our local butterfly yahoo group…we’ll all be encouraged to know that spring is coming!

Eugenia Marks & July Lewis
Audubon Society of RI
401-949-5454

Happy New Year!

2008-12-30T07:52:00.000-08:00

The butterflies are all resting now...if you've ever wondered how butterflies spend the winter, here's the answer from the North American Butterfly Association on their Q & A page:

How do butterflies spend the winter? In areas where temperatures drop below freezing during part of the winter, at least one stage in a butterfly species' life cycle must be resistant to freezing if the species is resident. Most butterflies that live in cold climates spend the winter as caterpillars, while almost as many spend the winter as pupas. A few species, mainly tortoiseshells (Nymphalis) and anglewings (Polygonia), spend the winter as adults, hibernating in holes in trees, in crevices in man-made structures, or in other shelters. A very few species spend the winter as eggs.

Some species that overwinter as adults can emerge to fly on a really warm winter day. Mourning Cloaks are especially known for this and have been recorded flying every month of the year in Massachusetts! We'd probably be able to say the same for Rhode Island, but we need more records. If you see one, you may want to post your sighting on the Ocean State Butterflies yahoo group. You need a yahoo account to post, but it's free and easy to get one. If you have problems, email me at jlewis@asri.org.

Happy New Year to all!

Yours,

July Lewis

Butterfly Results and Migrating Monarchs

2008-09-09T12:26:00.000-07:00

The annual Rhode Island NABA Butterfly Count, sponsored by Audubon, was successfully completed on July 12, and the data is available here! We counted 3521 butterflies and 51 species, and had some great sightings such as Hickory Hairstreak, Variegated Fritillary, Eyed Brown, Zabulon Skipper, and more! You can read the press release here.

It's been a great season, but it is drawing to a close. There are no more upcoming RI butterfly events that we know of. However, nearby state butterfly clubs have a few more events in store. Go to the Connecticut Butterfly Association or the Massachusetts Butterfly Club events pages to check out the remaining field trips of the year. And if you want to stay local, you can visit coastal areas such as Napatree Point, Beavertail State Park, or Sachuest Point to look for migrating monarchs. Peak migration time is Sept. 8-20 in our area, so now's the time to go!

Want to get tips on where to see monarchs, or otherwise talk about butterflies? Then visit the Yahoo discussion group, Ocean State Butterflies, where you can ask butterfly questions, post your sightings and photographs of RI butterflies, and network with other butterfliers. Anyone can view the messages. To post messages and view files and photos, you need to have a Yahoo account and join the group. Don’t have a Yahoo account? It’s free! Just click on the Sign Up link at the top of the page.

Please let us know of any events to add. We hope you will enjoy this site and visit frequently! If you have comments or questions, please contact me at jlewis@asri.org.

Happy Butterflying!

July Lewis

Results of 2008 RI Butterfly Count Are In!

2008-08-14T13:51:00.000-07:00

The annual Rhode Island NABA Butterfly Count, sponsored by Audubon, was successfully completed on July 12, and the data is available here! We counted 3521 butterflies and 51 species, and had some great sightings such as Hickory Hairstreak, Variegated Fritillary, Eyed Brown, Zabulon Skipper, and more! You can read the press release here.

Want to talk about butterflies? Then visit the Yahoo discussion group, Ocean State Butterflies, where you can ask butterfly questions, post your sightings and photographs of RI butterflies, and network with other butterfliers. Anyone can view the messages. To post messages and view files and photos, you need to have a Yahoo account and join the group. Don’t have a Yahoo account? It’s free! Just click on the Sign Up link at the top of the page. Scroll down below for a list of RI butterfly walks and programs. We will update this periodically--please let us know of any events to add.

We hope you will enjoy this site and visit frequently! If you have comments or questions, please contact me at jlewis@asri.org.

Happy Butterflying!

July Lewis

Upcoming RI Butterfly Events:

Flutterby: Butterflies in Bloom May 24--September 1. A special, summer-long butterfly exhibit at Roger Williams Park Zoo. Many special events are scheduled throughout the season, so check out their site for more info!

Butterfly Walk at Napatree Point September 6, 10 am.
Join Audubon to observe the Monarch Migration at beautiful Napatree Point in Westerly, Rhode Island. This time of year the dunes are filled with Monarchs headed on their way south. This outing includes a 1.5 mile walk, possibly in the sun. Bring a lunch and binoculars. Although the van for this program will depart from Smithfield, there will be a second pick-up in Richmond at the Park & Ride.Leaves from Powder Mill Ledges, Smithfield, RI; Program Fee: $12/member, $15/non-member; Ages: All. Call 949-5454 ext. 3041 to register.