Note: All Field Trips Canceled for 2020.
Early Reecer Canyon, April 18, rain date April 25
Melanie Weiss
We will look for early eclosures and species that overwinter as adults: Mourning Cloak, Hoary Comma, Green Comma, California Tortoiseshell, Sheridan’s Hairstreak, Brown Elfin, Moss’s Elfin. We may not be able to go very far up Reecer Canyon due to snow. So we will enjoy what the day brings.
Difficulty Level 1-2
Butterfly Class, April 20, 27th, and May 4th Tentative dates for 3 part class
John Baumann
This class will be at Corbin Art Center, not the community college this year.
Concluding Field Trip will be on Saturday, May 16th, at Rutter Canyon, Little Spokane Natural Area. There will be no formal fee for the class, but we are asking $25 donation to WBA for each person who attends.
Rocky Ford, May 2
David James
Rocky Ford, a BLM area near Ritzville on the edge of The Palouse is proving to be a magical place for butterflies! John Baumann discovered a new colony of silver-bordered fritillaries here just a few years ago but the site is also home to many other species including the not-often-seen Garita skipperling. This year we want to explore Rocky Ford’s butterflies in a slightly earlier time-frame to see what selection of early-mid spring butterflies it boasts. On behalf of the BLM we are developing a list of butterflies which will help inform future land and habitat conservation measures at this site. Come help us with this list!
Difficulty Level 2
Winthrop area, mid May, May 16
Cheryl Bellin
See spring fliers in the shrub steppe of the eastern North Cascades. Possible species include: Hoary Elfin, alpines, greenies, skippers, duskywings. This will be a shared trip with the Methow At Home organization.
Difficult Level 2
Hoodsport Area, May 28, rain date June 4, note that these are on Thursdays
David Droppers, Melanie Weiss
We will visit several favorite sites of two WBA members living in the area. In addition, we will search for the Johnson’s Hairstreak and the Cedar Hairstreak in an area where they are known to fly.
Difficulty Level 2
Douglas Canyon and Jamison Canyon/Lake, June 6
Sue Orlowski
Please meet at 9:30am at Jamison Canyon on Route 2 which is about 8-10 miles west of Bank’s Lake on the north side of the road. There is a sign on the corner where the road intersects with Route 2. We will tour the area along the road into the lake and camping area, then leave and go west again on Route 2 heading to Douglas Canyon. The target species for Douglas Canyon is the Indra Swallowtail. If you live in Spokane and want to carpool, meet at the Safeway store on Mission and Hamilton at 7:00am.
Antoine Peak Conservation Area, June 13
John Baumann
4-5 mile gently sloped trail, trail includes good hilltopping spots and a large, south-facing meadow with wildflowers!
Difficulty Level 4
Coffee Pot Lake and Twin Lakes, June 13
Sue Orlowski
Both of these lakes have a variety of butterflies so you shouldn’t be disappointed.
Difficulty Level 2
Hog Lake ad Folsom Farm, June 20
Sue Orlowski
Please meet at 9 AM at the Fish Lake exit on I 90. If you live in Spokane and want to carpool meet at the Safeway on Mission and Hamilton at 8 AM. Target specie is the Sheridan Green Haistreak.
Difficulty Level 2
WBA Butterfly Weekend, July 10 to 12, with an optional day on July 13
Blue Mountains of Washington
Information and registration will be posted on the WBA website
French Cabin Creek – July 18 (Salmon la Sac area)
Al Wagar
This fairly close-in trip is ideal for families, with level meadows & 100 miles from Seattle (north about 20 miles from exit 80 on I-90). Meet at Greenlake/Ravenna P&R @ 7:30am or Issaquah P&R @ 8:00am
Difficulty Level 1
Toppenish National Wildlife Refuge, July 18
Jim Reed
Target species is the Viceroy and whatever else we can find. We will meet at the Toppenish Wildlife Overlook Kiosk on Hwy 97 (the same place we met last year for those that were with me) at 11:00 am.
Difficulty Level 2
Bear Creek Mountain, July 25
David James, Melanie Weiss
The 3-4 mile hike from the Bear Creek Mountain trailhead at 6000 feet, boasts one of the most diverse and populous butterfly faunas in the Cascades. The hike is mostly on level ground and is an easy stroll through flowery meadows. Blues, whites, checkerspots and fritillaries abound along with both species of parnassians. One of the best-kept secrets of the Cascades!
Difficulty Level 3
Crystal Mountain, August 21, note this is a Friday
Regina Johnson, Melanie Weiss
We will take the gondola up to the top of the ridge and butterfly in the alpine meadows along a trail with stunning views and late season fliers and flowers. Gondola fees will be part of this trip, although you may choose to hike down rather than ride down.
Difficulty Level 3
Cascade Butterfly Project
Citizen Science Project – see Tab on WBA website for additional information, trail levels vary
- Melanie Weiss will be going out weekly from late July through August on the Naches Loop at Mt. Rainier National Park
Field Training is tentatively scheduled for July 8, Sauk Mountain, 10am – 2pm, and July 15, Sunrise, 10am – 2 pm
More training will be announced by early June. For information on trainings and signing up for all other locations at Mt. Rainier NP, the North Cascades NP and a few other locations:
Non-consumptive appreciation of butterflies is central to our purpose, basic to our approach, and the guiding principal behind general membership field trips. Collecting of adult butterflies is not allowed on these trips. Collecting of eggs and larvae for rearing is accepted on condition that individuals raised to adult stage are released at their original location.