Date & Time:
February 25, 2017 - 9:30am to 1:00pm
Meeting Place:
McDonald's/Safeway parking lot at the intersection of Tanque Verde Road and Catalina Highway. We will sign in here and double up on transportation, although parking should not be a major problem.
Special Notes:
A National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass (Annual, Senior, Access, Military, Volunteer, Golden Age or Golden Access) or a fee is required for parking at Gordon Hirabayashi Campground.
We'll walk along the Arizona Trail and a sandy wash, approximately 1.5-2 mi. round trip. Manzanita and Rhus trilobata should both be blooming. We'll be looking for Brown Elfins, AZ Hairstreaks, Juniper Hairstreaks, Sara Orangetips, and possibly Spring Whites, along with other more common species.
Type of terrain: Much of the walking will be along the rocky, sandy Arizona Trail. We'll also spend time along the main wash, which will likely have quite a bit of water in it. Part of the time we'll bushwhack along rocky hillsides and/or minor washes with no trails.
Trip Butterfly Reports:
We had a fun day even though few butterflies were flying – probably a bit cold. Manzanitas had started to bloom here, but the Skunk Bush (Rhus trilobata) will not start blooming for a week or two. Butterflies seen:
Pipevine Swallowtail Battus philenor
Sara (SW) Orangetip Anthocharis sara (thoosa)
Echo’ Spring Azure Celastrina ladon echo
Mourning Cloak Nymphalis antiopa
Red-spotted Purple Limenitis arthemis (not confirmed)
Photo by Cindy Bethard
General Information
Beginners are welcome on all field trips! Experienced members will share their butterfly knowledge and expertise with all field trip participants. Children accompanied by a responsible adult are welcome on SEABA field trips. A donation of $5 per person to benefit SEABA will be appreciated. Carpooling from the meeting place is encouraged and it is kind to share gas expenses. If high clearance vehicles are required for a trip, it will be noted in individual trip descriptions. Dress for the field with sturdy shoes, hat, sunscreen, and insect repellent. Bring your own water, snacks, and lunch. Close-focusing binoculars, cameras, and field guides will be helpful aids for butterfly observation and identification. Trips usually end by mid-afternoon unless noted differently in individual trip descriptions.
Please be aware that:
1. Collecting or netting is NOT allowed on SEABA field trips.
2. Pets, with the exception of service animals, are NOT allowed on SEABA field trips.
3. All field trip participants are required to sign SEABA's Release and Assumption of Risk form at the beginning of the trip. The form may be viewed at SEABA Release.
4. Please arrive a few minutes prior to the meeting time posted for trips to facilitate paperwork and introductions to other trip participants.
5. Field trips may be cancelled or rescheduled on short notice due to changing weather or road conditions. Please check the website for updates prior to the Field Trip.
Our Southeastern Arizona Butterfly Checklist can be downloaded here. Please note that the SEABA checklist is copyrighted.
Local NABA Butterfly Counts are listed at NABA Counts
Field trips organized by the Central Arizona Butterfly Association are listed at their website: CAzBA.
