Central Arizona Butterfly Association: Annual BTA Butterfly Count

On Saturday September 14th we tackle our 18th Annual Butterfly Count.

The total count circle has a 15-mile diameter, and we will conduct a one-day census of all butterflies sighted within that circle. 80 species of butterflies appear on the Arboretum’s checklist, while the record for most species observed in a single day is 44 by Marceline VandeWater during the same count in 2011! Xami Hairstreak is one of the specialties that has been found in the past at the Arboretum.

We will gather on the patio at the Visitor Center at the Boyce Thompson Arboretum (Superior, AZ) at 8:15 AM. If you are not a member of the Arboretum, tell the folks you are there for the butterfly count and they will allow you to enter without paying the admission fee. We will organize into three teams, each of which will be led by an experienced counter and cover a different area in the count circle. Prior experience counting and identifying butterflies is helpful but not required. All comers are welcome. Sturdy walking shoes, hats, and a full water bottle will be needed by counters in all the areas. All teams will return to the Arboretum at noon to share, review, and compile results and to eat lunch (BYO) and socialize in the picnic area.

For more information contact Ron Rutowski (rrutowski@cox.net).