2020 Field Trip Schedule (Subject to Change [now more than ever!]) Our fingers are crossed for a grand 2022 field trip season. WBA will continue to monitor and adapt to COVID- 19 levels and guidelines for our state. Trip leaders will notify participants if any changes should occur.
May 7: Oak Creek Widlife Area adjacent to Snow Mt Ranch. Discover Pass required.
David James
Lots of spring species including Hoffmann’s and Sagebrush Checkerspots side by side. It is quite a spectacular place for shrub steppe, with a good flower show at this time. The area is fairly flat, but the surface may be rocky in some placed. We will walk about 1.5 to 2 miles in and return.
Level 2
Late May: Boulder Creek, Okanogan National Forest, between May 26-31.
Cheryl Bellin
Will plan for May 26 or May 31 to be back-to-back with David D’s trip below. The specific date will be communicated to those that register based on season timing, weather.
Explore several roadside areas on the way to Freezeout Ridge. Target species is the Freija Fritillary which resides in Washington state only in this northern region of Okanogan County. Blues, elfins, skippers and duskywings are also likely. Maybe we can spook up a Halfmoon Hairstreak on our way back through the shrub steppe. All wheel drive and higher clearance would be helpful.
Limited to 10 participants, Level 2
May 25: Photograpers only trip, North Cascades Visitor Center/Newhalem Campground.
David Droppers
Note: this trip will take place on a week day due to large crowds in our parks on weekends. No Nets Allowed.
We will have an opportunity to search new areas for populations of the elusive Johnson’s Hairstreak.
Limited to 10 participants, Level 2
Late May-Early June: Klickitat River, last week of May to first week of June
Jim Reed
Come see the newest and perhaps rarest butterfly in Washington. A small colony of Satyrium auretorum is located along the Klickitat River in South Central Washington. The nearest neighbor colonies are from the very Southern border of Oregon. Gold-hunter’s Hairstreak field trip(s) will be held during the last week of May into the first week of June. It is a very small area so we will limit ourselves to groups of 6 or less. People would need to make appointments so we could spread out the trips over a week. There often are a good variety of Swallowtails, Admirals and blues along the trail. People who would like to be guided into where the isolated colony can be found should contact:
Limited to 6 participants per trip with multiple trips over several days, Level 1-2
June 4: Rutter Canyon, Spokane area, Saturday, Discover Pass needed
Sue Orlowski
Rutter Canyon is in North Spokane along the Little Spokane River. We will explore several areas including a trail leading to the river and a ½ mile trail leading to the trailhead for Rutter Canyon. The canyon is about 3 miles in length where you will find good diversity and abundance of butterflies. We will not do the entire length of the canyon. Those that wish may do so.
Group size limited to 8. Level 2-3
June 5: Mothing and Butterflies, what could be better! Dishman Hills Conservancy, Spokane
Carl Barrentine
**Note to westsiders, Sue (Rutter Canyon) and Carl will have back to back adventures, making it worth the cross-state drive!
Two activities: A morning mothing adventure at my home as I process the evening’s catch of moths daily…after a few cups of morning coffee. In an hour’s time curious diurnal lep folks can get a hands-on tutorial, i.e., Mothing 101, while sipping coffee and munching stale donuts. After that, once the temperatures have warmed a little so that the butterflies are active, we will look for local diurnal leps at the Steven’s Creek Trail, Dishman Hills Conservancy, 10 minutes away. For those who wish to trek all the way up the trail to the Rocks of Sharon, which is a distance of a mile (with 6- 12 percent grades), the difficulty level goes up considerably (perhaps a level 2-4). We need not make that 2-mile round trip trek to look for local swallowtails and elfins if the meadow area is productive. That said, most folks DO want to trek to the top for the splendid views as well as hilltop swallowtail behavior. Limited to 12 participants, Level 0 at Carl’s home and Level 2-4 at Dishman Hills
June 11: Hog Lake and Folsom Farm, Spokane, Discover Pass needed
Sue Orlowski
The rolling hills are loaded with buckwheat, so this is a productive site for butterflies. Target species is the Sheridan Green Haistreak. 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.
Group size limited to 8. Level 2
June 25: Satus Pass, lower area + Simcoe Butte
David James
For the past 2 years at this time I have seen ~30 species including the Nevada Skipper.
Level 1
July 9: French Cabin Creek (Salmon la Sac area)
Melanie Weiss
I’ve been visiting this fairly close-in site for several years. Ideal for all abilities, with level meadows & about 100 miles from Seattle. Possible species include: Indra Swallowtail, Great Spangled Fritillary, Thicket Hairstreak, Western Tailed Blue, Duskywing, fritillaries, Clearwing Moth.
Limited to 10 participants, Level 1
July 15-17: WBA Butterfly Weekend, with an optional day on July 18
Blue Mountains of Washington
July 18: Tri-Cities “Delta” area – perfect stop for those heading west after our Butterfly Weekend
Jim Reed
The delta area is where the Yakima and Columbia Rivers meet. Possible species may include: Viceroy and River Jewel damselflies, among others.
Level 2
July 30-31: Slate Peak, Okanogan National Forest
Jim Reed
This beautiful high elevation site is truly stunning to behold with its profusion of flowers, spectacular views and, of course, butterflies. The road up to the peak leaves from Mazama, but beware that this road is narrow and harrowing in sections – it’s one of only two roads rated as “Valium Prescribed” in Washington Wild Roads, a higher score than
“White Knuckles”. This is an even year, so we may see the rare Melissa Arctic or Astarte Fritillary, both biennial species. But there are plenty of good reasons to go up any year.
Level 3
August 26: Crystal Mountain, note this is a Friday due to weekend crowds
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. Riding the gondola will require payment, although you may choose to hike down rather than ride down.
Participants limited to 12, Level 3
Possible “Flash” field trips may occur during the season.
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.
HOW TO SIGN UP: Anyone can sign up at a WBA monthly meeting or by contacting the trip leader. (See Board and Committee list in this issue for contact information)
Check our website and Facebook page for last-minute additions (Flash Field Trips!).
DIFFICULTY RATINGS:
- Easy, mostly by car, minor walking along roads.
- Fairly limited walking, some slopes involved.
- Moderate, 3-4 miles walking with some slopes.
- Difficult, hiking required off road, may have short steep sections, total of 4 miles or so.
- Strenuous, extended hiking on trails with steep terrain, 4-8 miles.
2022 Field Trip Participation Nuts & Bolts
For the first time since 2019, WBA is planning field trips for the 2022 season as long as COVID rates remain low! If it increases again, we’ll need to re-evaluate.
Trip leaders have the option to limit the number of participants on their outings. Following current state guidelines, masks are optional.
When in the field, respectfully do your best to maintain social distance from each other, especially when gathered around looking at jars.
As in the past, all participants will be required to sign a Liability Release.
If carpooling is done, drivers will decide the guidelines for their cars, or individuals may choose to drive on their own. On some trips the meet-up spot may be at the field trip site, while on others we may meet near the site and caravan to the location. Your trip leader will let you know.
Gas prices are rising and may continue to do so. Kindly make sure to share gas costs if you carpool. A big thanks to all our volunteer trip leaders for their planning and time enabling these trips to occur!