Seven enthusiastic WBA volunteers conducted nine butterfly surveys throughout the 2023 spring and summer season at Evan’s Creek Preserve in Sammamish, WA. This 213 acre preserve offers areas of lush forest with abundant mosses and lichens, several wetlands, and large meadows.

Surveys were conducted two to four weeks apart from April through September. Visits were on sunny days to provide optimal conditions for sightings. Three to four volunteers were present on most visits, with individuals surveying different areas of the preserve. Several participants surveyed the same areas on return visits. A comment was made that they enjoyed observing how the flora and fauna changed as the season progressed.

A mother bear and cub were seen in a large skunk cabbage area early in the season. We enjoyed the spectacular Big Leaf Lupine, Lupinus polyphyllus, blooming in May.

Nine species of butterflies and three moths were detected: Western Tiger Swallowtail, Pale Tiger Swallowtail, Cabbage White, Margined White, Echo Azure, Lorquin’s Admiral, Mourning Cloak, Polygonia species, Woodland Skipper. The Western Tiger Swallowtail was a common presence for about six weeks and delighted everyone. Habitat restoration is underway to replace invasive species with native plants. Blackberry brambles are extensive. As native plants are added to this beautiful preserve, butterfly diversity and abundance should increase.

We hope to participate at their Earth Day Celebration next spring with a WBA table and information. A suggestion of possible pollinator signage at the preserve was made.

A big thank you to the WBA volunteers who participated: Melanie Weiss, Vicki and Mike Elledge, Carolyn Heberlein, Liz Kuehn, Paulette Murphy, Kim Kendall.

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