With the pandemic and variants still in our midst, WBA is going to err on the side of caution and suspend live field trips and our annual Butterfly Weekend for the 2021 season. Given the concern of gathering participants from various locations around the state, the sharing of jars, and our enthusiasm that makes us drop all safety protocols and converge on a target species, we have decided to proceed in this manner. And we tip our hats, or nets, to the progress we are making toward meeting live in person in the future.

On a positive note, by suspending our in person monthly meetings to a Zoom format this past year, we have been able to schedule local speakers in addition to speakers from across the country. Members from around our state have been able to attend where the distance prohibited them from doing so in the past. And we have drawn viewers from afar, also.

WBA is excited to announce that we have been compiling a butterfly site list from around the state. Directions, times to visit, and target species will be given for each site. In appreciation of the support of WBA’s members, this listing will be distributed to members only and emailed in the very near future. So sign up now if you’re not a member!

Until then, below are a few suggested locations to visit on your own around the state. For additional directions, most of the sites listed below may be located on Google Maps or WTA.org. Blues are puddling, checkerspots and swallowtails are emerging, and fritillaries will be flying later in May. Enjoy the season!

Data: Consider sending the data from site visits to Jon Pelham at zapjammer@comcast.net. Please include the date, lattitude/longitude or GPS coordinates, site name and county, butterfly names or photo if unsure. You may also record your data on the iNaturalist app directly from your cell phone.

Ritter Canyon, March through summer, but crowded in warmer weather

North Spokane, Spokane County

This is a productive butterfly area throughout the season. The Arctic Skipper, Dreamy Duskywing and Butler’s Alpine all fly there. Ritter Canyon can be found in North Spokane by taking Indian Trail to Indian Painted Rocks which is along the Little Spokane River. It is best to go during the week since the parking lot is small, and the trails are popular.

Discover Pass needed.

Dreamy Duskywing.

Sinlahekin Wildlife Area, May to August with peaks mid June to mid July

Okanogan County

SWA is a butterfly-rich area to explore. The road through SWA is car friendly, and there are many locations with good butterfly habitat along the way. On a WBA visit a few years ago, our group saw 41 species including the Oregon Swallowtail, Thicket Hairstreak, Coral Hairstreak, Sylvan Hairstreak, many Behr’s Hairstreaks, blues, coppers, nymphalids. Caitlin LaBar has documented 90+ species in the wildlife area.

Discover Pass needed.

Swakane Canyon, mid May through late June

Chelan County

This is a butterfly rich area, but note that the road is narrow, rocky and full of ruts. Areas where the road runs close to the stream are the most productive, but keep watch along the way. Duskywings, Northern Cloudywing, Roadside Skipper, Common Checkered Skipper, Anicia Checkerspot, many blues and swallowtails are some of the species you may see. Take Hwy 97A north from Wenatchee along the west side of the Columbia about 6 miles. Turn left onto the canyon road.

Discover Pass needed.

Douglas Canyon, late May to early June

Douglas County

In general this is an uncrowded area, good for butterflying and birding. Possible species are the Indra Swallowtail, Sagebrush Checkerspot and marbles. See WTA for directions.

No pass required.

Reecer Canyon, peaking June through mid-July

Kittatas County

Located outside Ellensburg, Reecer Canyon has abundant flower-filled meadows and seeps with excellent butterfly opportunities. Follow Reecer Creek Rd as it climbs above the canyon and up into the Wenatchee Mtns, traveling higher as the season progresses.

Cell phones will also do a good job of providing directions from Exit 106: search “current location to Reecer Canyon”.

No pass needed.

Snow Mountain Ranch, April through June and again in September-October

Yakima County

Beautiful Snow Mountain Ranch has 9.2 miles of trails on the 1800 acres of rich and varied butterfly habitat ranging from lowland-riparian at about 1500 feet through canyons and shrub-steppe areas to summit & ridges at about 3000 feet. More than 60 butterfly species have been recorded at Snow Mountain including Ruddy Coppers, Oak Duskywings, Hoffman’s Checkerspots and Mormon Metalmarks. Check the site map at the trailhead and enjoy! All trails are good choices.

No pass required.

Klickitat Rail Trail, April to June, possibly July if there is enough moisture to keep nectar sources going

Klickitat County

This trail in magnificent Columbia River Gorge country is a partnership between the Klickitat Trail Conservancy,

Washington State Parks and the US Forest Service. It runs along the Wild and Scenic Klickitat River. It follows on the opposite side of the Klickitat River from Hwy 142 and is accessible only at MP 0 and at the Pitt Bridge at MP 10. Butterflying is actually best above the town of Klickitat from MP 13.5 up to MP 20. The best time to visit is from April to early June before it gets too hot. A couple of species of note include the Propertius Duskywing, all six species of swalowtails, Great Arctic.

For a map and additional directions see: www.klickitat-trail.org

No pass required.

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