Field Trip Descriptions:
Note: A date range is given for some of the trips. The precise date will be determined by the leader based on weather and the season’s progression. Contact the trip leader to sign up and be notified of the specific trip date.“TBD” is used for those dates to be determined.
We have a bounty of offerings this year including Field Trips, our annual Butterfly Study Weekend, a conservation project focusing on SGCN (Species of Greatest Conservation Need in WA), and our annual month long WBA Big Butterfly Month. Please join us!
Update – E-TAG MONARCH RELEASE – PORTLAND, OREGON
Saturday, September 5
This one is not a WBA field trip, and the details are still moving, so please read it as a heads-up rather than an invitation to turn up. Dr. David James will be releasing e-tagged monarchs at several locations in Oregon over the next few weeks. One of those releases is tentatively Saturday, September 5, at Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge in Portland, beside the Willamette River at 2:00PM.
https://www.portland.gov/parks/oaks-bottom-wildlife-refuge
Three monarchs adopted by WBA will be among the seventeen or so being released, along with two adopted by the Scarabs – Two things to be aware of before making the drive from Washington:
The date is tentative. The butterflies are still being reared, and weather could move it.
The meeting point inside the refuge has not been settled. If you are thinking of going, please contact Dr. James directly next week for the date and the meeting point: david_james@wsu.edu
If there are not enough monarchs ready, the adopted ones may instead go out at another Oregon release, at a location still to be decided.
So if you are thinking of going, please contact Dr. James directly next week for the date and the meeting point: david_james@wsu.edu
FOLLOWING THE BUTTERFLIES FROM HOME
You do not need to go to Portland to follow them. The releases aretracked in the free Project Monarch app, and Pacific Northwest monarchs are listed under the prefix WR.
New Flash Field Trip
Saturday, Sept 12 – Umtanum Creek Recreation Area and nearby localities
We’ll explore the east side for possibly one last hurrah before the season closes. Traveling to the eastern foothills of the Cascades, we’ll search for idling metalmarks, migrating Coronis, fresh Juba, and whatever else may be visiting the abundant blooming rabbitbrush. Expect some slow walking, less than 1 mile in distance.
Meet at the NW edge of the Eastgate Park n Ride in Bellevue, from which we’ll carpool eastward.
If you are driving, please remember to bring $5 cash for parking in the DNR lot.
To let David know you’ll be joining him, contact:
David Droppers tl_DavidD@wabutterflyassoc.org
Tuesday April 28th – Juniper Dunes, Pasco
Juniper Hairstreak Species Profile
David James will lead the first WBA field trip of 2026 exploring the unique landscape of Juniper Dunes just north of Pasco. Our main goal is to locate the Juniper Hairstreak which has not been seen there for more than a decade. A thriving colony of this tiny, but charismatic species occurred among the Junipers at the Dunes in the first decade of this century. Butterflies more likely to be seen include Painted Ladies, Gray Hairstreaks, Beckers Whites, Desert Marbles and Clouded Sulphurs. It is a challenging hike over sandy terrain compensated by unique flora along with some unique bee, wasp and fly pollinators.
Interested participants contact David for details.
David James, david_james@wsu.edu
April 25: Cowiche Canyon, Yakima
The Cowiche Canyon Conservancy is holding their Annual Earth Day community walk through Cowiche Canyon, Yakima, from 10am to midday. There will be stations along the route hosted by naturalists with interests in birds, geology, native plants, stream life, and butterflies. David, Liz and Melanie will host the WBA butterfly station near bridge #3 where a small patch of nettles currently hosts Milbert’s Tortoiseshell caterpillars! We may also have some butterflies to show and tell along with other butterfly-related paraphernalia. It would be great to have some other WBA members join us and help us tell everyone how wonderful butterflies are! Butterflies expected to be flying on the hopefully sunny day in the canyon will be Ashers blues, Painted ladies, Clouded sulphurs, Beckers whites, Gray hairstreaks, Mylitta crescents and Checkered skippers.
Interested participants contact David for details.
David James, david_james@wsu.edu
May 4th: Lake Cushman
Count butterflies near Lake Cushman in Olympic National Forest. Potential species include Johnson’s and Cedar Hairstreaks, Anise, Pale and Western Tiger Swallowtails, and Green and Hoary Commas. We will walk along gravel roads, but the trip may involve traversing some debris and rocky terrain. Meet in Hoodsport, carpool to the site. Easy to medium difficulty. Trip limited to 12 people.
Karen Holtrop, tl_KarenH@wabutterflyassoc.org
May 9th (raincheck May 12th): Selah Cliffs Natural Area Preserve, Yakima Canyon
This unique area located at the base of columnar basalt columns was established to protect a population of Basalt Daisy, a state-listed threatened species, that grows high up in cracks in the basalt cliffs. Binoculars or zoom lens will be the best way to view the plants. Raptors also use the cliffs for nesting. This will be the first WBA visit to the area. We will survey for butterflies and have been given permission to go off trail to net and ID. Possible species include Blues, Painted Lady, Lorquin’s Admiral, Swallowtails, Ringlets, Hairstreaks. The relatively flat trail is mostly gravel and rocks, 2 miles round trip. Discover Pass required.
Melanie Weiss, tl_MelanieW@wabutterflyassoc.org
Sorry This Trip has been Canceled: Mima Mounds Natural Area Preserve, south of Olympia – No Nets, and Stay On Trail
Camas, spring butterflies, and grassland birds. But, please note that Mima Mounds is right next to a busy gun club; if you are very gun-shy, this is not the trip for you. It is perfectly safe, just it can be very loud. Difficulty level 2—no slopes, some paved ADA-accessible trail as well as gravel. Discover Pass required.
Please register with trip leader to be notified of the date and time.
Regina Johnson, tres@wabutterflyassoc.org
Sorry This Trip has been Canceled due to road closures in the area: Upper Tucannon River Valley near Dayton
I expect to see ~30 species with very large numbers of checkerspots, swallowtails, blues and California Tortoiseshells that may be breeding en masse (if it is like 2025).
Interested participants contact David for details.
David James, david_james@wsu.edu
May 16 : Steptoe Butte State Park, Whitman County
This 168-acre park offers panoramic views of Palouse farmland and is home to many butterfly species. The seven-mile spiral road is easily accessible by vehicle, with several areas to stop and search for butterflies. Please bring plenty of water, snacks, and lunch. A Discover Pass is required for park access. Carpooling may be an option.
Hailey Armstrong, tl_HaileyA@wabutterflyassoc.org
Ferry County Foray! Wednesday May 27th
Please let Cheryl know ASAP if you would like to come, and if you will be camping Tuesday and or Wednesday. Jim and I will be there both nights and reserve spots for our group. Note that there is no cell signal in the area so please communicate your plans with Cheryl by Monday pm.
Cheryl Bellin and Jim Rauh, tl_cherylb@wabutterflyassoc.org
Come explore the backroads of Ferry County. We will drive and walk along riparian corridors and forest roads to see what we can see. In the past few years, we’ve identified new locations for the Meadow Frittilary, a SGCN, and a few county records for this relatively seldom explored county.
Late May/early June visitors may expect to find Common Alpines flying and puddling with Meadow Frittilaries and Anicia Checkerspots and Two Banded Checkered Skippers, Duskywings, Elfins and possibly Thicket Hairstreaks amongst others.
Hiking is required, and we recommend higher clearance vehicles for occasional rough gravel roads. We will explore sites near Swan and Ferry Lakes and others along the San Poil River if time permits. Swan Lake campground provides a beautiful place to stay for those that want to explore a second day and overnight while listening to the loons. Meeting location and time TBD. Level 3.
Cheryl Bellin and Jim Rauh, tl_cherylb@wabutterflyassoc.org
Between May 28 & 30 TBD (weather dependent): Rocky Ford (Upper Crab Creek)
Silver-bordered Fritillaries (SGCN) will be our target species. Many other species (blues, crescents, whites) should also be present.
Interested participants contact David for details.
David James, david_james@wsu.edu
Update- June 4th or 5th TBD: Kamiak Butte
Kamiak Butte County Park is located off SR27 between Palouse and Pullman Washington. The area offers 5 miles of hiking trails and reaches an elevation of 3,641 feet. There will be an abundance of birds, critters, plants and butterflies! Please pack snacks/lunch and bring plenty of water. Camping is an option on a first come, first served basis. Contact Hailey for more details or if you would like to sign up.
Hailey Armstrong, tl_HaileyA@wabutterflyassoc.org
June 12-14: WBA Annual Butterfly Study Weekend, Goldendale area
This year’s conference will be in the Goldendale area where we expect to see butterflies not common in the rest of the state, including the large, black Indra Swallowtail, as well as the Propertius Duskywing and the Gold Hunter’s Hairstreak. Weekend field trips can visit varied habitats, from the steep slopes of the southern Cascades down to the dramatic Columbia Gorge. Forests of the area are a mix of fir, pine, and oak. Grassland covers south-facing slopes and low plateaus. Riparian corridors crisscross throughout, and springs and ponds dot the area. The area also has a variety of other species, including black- tailed deer, western gray squirrels, western pond turtles, and Vaux’s swifts.
Mid-late June, TBD: Butterfly House at either the Pacific Science Center or Woodland Park Zoo
Come join us for a visit to one of Seattle’s butterfly houses where you are guaranteed to see a diversity of species flying. This trip would be especially suitable for families with children who do not enjoy car rides. The details are being finalized. Note that there will be an entry fee for this event. Contact Carolyn for details.
Carolyn Heberlein, tl_carolynh@wabutterflyassoc.org
New – Butterfly Walk at Bonaparte Meadows
JUNE 20 @ 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Join lifelong butterfly enthusiasts Cheryl Bellin and Jim Rauh for a guided butterfly walk at Bonaparte Meadows.
June 26: Ahtanum SF W of Yakima
Great diversity of butterflies in prime time at this location! Expect to see up to 40+ species!
Interested participants contact David for details.
David James, david_james@wsu.edu
June 20 to July 20: WBA Annual “Big Butterfly Month”
Join us for our month long butterfly count this summer, and a chance to participate in a citizen science project. Let’s see how many butterflies everyone sees around our state. Observations will be posted on iNaturalist. We will be documenting butterflies from our yards, camping, hiking, at a park, or wherever you may find yourself throughout Washington. Recognition will be given for the highest number of observations made, and the most species detected. It is easy to participate. Post your photo observations on as many days as you like in the date range above, and upload it to iNaturalist, an increasingly respectable network for sharing biodiversity information. Our iNat project’s name is Big Butterfly Month Washington State. Make sure to join the project.
Additional information on the project and a primer on using iNat may be found on our website and in the May ‘G’num’.
July 11: The Start of Summer at Hurricane Ridge
Location: Hurricane Ridge, Olympic National Park, Hurricane Hill Trail.
Description: Hurricane Ridge may be the site with the highest number of annual visitors in Olympic National Park, and it has a striking plant community of broad, south facing meadows that is distinct from almost any other location in the interior of the Olympic Mountains. Primarily I want to encourage appreciation and further inquiry into a large population of Western Sulphur (Colias occidentalis) near Hurricane Hill, which I have found to be exceptional in the Olympics. Another species we will look out for is the Spring White (Pontia sisymbrii), a population disjunct from most of its range and a species which is a great start to a summer of butterflies in the high country. A third species which I will be searching for (but make no promises of) is Vidler’s Alpine, which I believe is becoming more difficult to track down in the Olympics. I would expect plenty of the usual suspects as well, including Edith’s Checkerspot, Anise Swallowtail, and hopefully dozens of Western Sheepmoth. As with many things in the Olympics, I believe the fascinating biogeography of the Olympics is a better draw for this trip than a large number of expected species. This site is likely to be rapidly impacted by small changes in regional climate, and may look strikingly different in a few decades.
Trail: The main focus for this hike will be the Hurricane Hill Trail, which starts near Hurricane Ridge in Olympic National Park. Although this trail starts paved, we will quickly leave the pavement and hike as far as 7 miles round trip with an elevation gain of 1,000 ft. I would call the hike very strenuous. Also, it is hot and dry with no cover.
Access: NPS Pass required (entrance 30 USD, annual 55, just one pass per vehicle), no nets so bring your camera, no dogs. I’ll be starting as early as possible to beat the crowds, probably leaving Port Angeles at 7:30 to be leaving from the Hurricane Hill trailhead at 8:30. This area can have great birding so bring your binoculars. There is no water along the trail.
Contact Carter Urnes, tl_carteru@wabutterflyassoc.org
July 17: Sun Lakes SP (Coulee City) (or nearby location)
Yuma Skipper (SGCN) will be our target species. Viceroys, Oregon Swallowtails and possibly Monarchs may also be seen.
Interested participants contact David for details.
David James, david_james@wsu.edu
Sorry This Trip has been Canceled due to Fire Activity – Slate Peak, Okanogan NF
Sadly due to the Ptarmigan fire activity and resulting Hart’s Pass road closure, Cheryl and Jim have had to cancel the Slate Peak trip.
Join us at this beautiful high elevation site with its beautiful flowers, spectacular views and of course, butterflies. An even year tradition,we will look for the rare Melissa Arctic and Astarte Fritillary, both biennial species. Lustrous Copper is also a possibility. Twenty five plus species are likely when venturing to this wonderful location. The road up to the peak leaves from Mazama, but beware that this road is narrow with steep drop offs. Road condition each year is unknown and will be communicated after scouting. A short hike is required to reach the top of Slate Peak and to fully explore roadsides and mountain meadows. Meeting location and time TBD. Difficulty: Level 3.
Cheryl Bellin and Jim Rauh, tl_cherylb@wabutterflyassoc.org
Sorry, this trip is canceled: Snow Mountain Ranch, Yakima
End of season field trip with bountiful numbers of Coronis Fritillaries on flowering Rabbitbrush after their epic migration to the Cascades and back.
Interested participants contact David for details.
David James, david_james@wsu.edu
POSSIBLE FLASH TRIPS:
New – Saturday, Sept 12 – Umtanum Creek Recreation Area and nearby localities – details at the top of the field trip listings.
David Droppers hopes to offer a trip to his study site so people may experience his research area and the aftermath of the Bolt Creek Fire. For those of you who have not seen his Zoom presentation to our group on this area in February, it is worth viewing even if you do not attend the trip.
A few others have promised to lead trips if their schedules allow.
These will be announced by Noticeline. Stay tuned!
