With the onset of the monsoon rains and the opening of the Catalina Highway, the 22nd annual Sabino Canyon Summer butterfly count will go forward as originally scheduled for the third Saturday in July (this Saturday, July 15, 2017).
The Sabino Canyon count circle includes Sabino Canyon proper, as well as all areas along the Catalina Highway to Mt Lemmon. This count last year recorded 56 species and had high counts in the nation for 8 of those species, most of which, such as Arizona Hairstreak and Nais Metalmark, were found up in the mountains.
The meeting time for counters is 6:30 AM in front of the Sabino Canyon Visitor’s Center. Teams will be formed and head out to various local gardens and to higher elevations. Please contact the compiler: Karen Nickey 520-326-2070 (no email), if you’d like to make other arrangements. Beginners are welcome, as are counters that only have the morning or few hours to count.
A compilation dinner will be held in the evening starting at 4-5PM (depending on weather conditions) at Casa Molina (4240 E Grant Rd, just west of Columbus). All are welcome to join us to find out what butterflies were found on the count.
NABA asks for a $3.00 per participant fee to help defray costs of compiling the nationwide statistics that result from these counts.
Special Note: A National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass (Annual, Senior, Access, Military, Volunteer, Golden Age or Golden Access) or a fee is required for some areas in this survey, including the parking lot at the Sabino Canyon Visitor Center.