June 5, 2025

By Melanie Weiss

WBA members returned for a third visit to Spiva Butte Nature Preserve on June 5, 2025.  Butterfly surveys had been conducted at the preserve in 2018 and 2019.  Sadly, the 2020 wildfires burned almost 100% of this pristine area.  Extensive restoration work has taken place since then.  We acquired a permit to visit from the Chelan-Douglas Land Trust (CDLT), owners of the preserve, and we provided them with a report of our observations for comparison to the earlier visits.  The big question was butterfly survival after the fire, especially for a few of the less common species including the Silver-bordered Fritillary, a Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN).  We returned to the same areas visited on our earlier visits.  The day was very warm, and butterflies were present in good numbers.  Species were identified either by visual observation, or by netting and briefly placing them in jars for closer examination.  A few species were new to some of the participants.  A noteworthy 21 butterfly species and two moth species were observed.

Cascadia Blue were common on the abundant Eriogonum heracleoides as we made out way down to the Iris Meadow.  Ruddy Copper and Melissa’s Blue were also in the area.  We were glad to find that the Silver-bordered Fritillary was flying in strong numbers throughout the meadow.  An estimated 100 individuals were observed, with the actual number likely higher.  This was our most exciting find of the survey.  The Garita Skipperling, another less commonly seen species, was also present.  The Arrowhead Blue was observed in good numbers.  It was noted after our visit in 2019, that the population we observed was one of the largest documented in the state.  At the top of the butte, which reaches 2,283 feet, hilltopping behavior was observed among several butterfly species including Callippe Fritillary, Anise Swallowtail, Western White, Milbert’s Tortoiseshell. The key finding on the butte was the Nevada Skipper, a new record for Douglas County!

Also present was the Pygmy Short-horned Lizard, another SGCN.

The recovery of the preserve was a marvel to see and a testament to the work that CDLT and many devoted volunteers performed.  One of our participants, a conservation biologist, commented that resilience after fire is evidence of a healthy ecosystem.  The evidence was apparent to all of us participating in the survey that day. 

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Feature photo of Spiva Butte by Melanie Weiss