Madera Canyon

Date & Time: 
May 30, 2016 - 8:00am
Meeting Place: 
McDonald's parking lot, Continental Road west of I-19, Green Valley
Trip Leader: 
Cindy Bethard

We had a pleasant and liesurely trip to Madera Canyon. We saw more butterflies at Proctor than further up the canyon, but the trails were peaceful and quiet as soon as we got a few hundred yards from the parking lot. Although we did not see many species of butterflies, there were many wonderful opportunities to view other wildlife. We got great looks at a male varied bunting taking a bath in the stream not far from the Proctor parking lot. A few minutes later, we watched 5 white-tailed deer cross the stream, browsing as they walked. Later on, we watched two wild turkeys amble down the streamside, ultimately headed for the feeders at Santa Rita lodge. All in all, it was a great day out in the National Forest!

Trip Butterfly Reports: 
  1. Pipevine Swallowtail Battus philenor
  2. Mexican Yellow Eurema Mexicana
  3. Sleepy Orange Abais nicippe
  4. Dainty Sulphur Nathalis iole
  5. Marine Blue Leptotes marina
  6. Texan Crescent Anthanassa texana
  7. 'Arizona' California Sister Adelpha bredowii
  8. Empress Leilia Asterocampia leilia
  9. Red Satyr Magisto rubricate

Birds Seen, outside Santa Rita Lodge feeder area:

  1. Varied Bunting
  2. Summer Tanager
  3. Blue Grosbeak
  4. Painted Redstart
  5. Ash-throated Flycatcher
  6. Acorn Woodpecker
  7. Western Scrub Jay
  8. Plumbeous Vireo (?)
  9. Broad-tailed Hummingbird
  10.  White Breasted Nuthatch
  11. Bridled Titmouse
  12.  Wild Turkey

Mammals seen:

  1. Rock Squirrel
  2. Gray Squirrel
  3. White-tailed Deer

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.