Date & Time:
January 20, 2019 - 9:45am to 2:00pm
Meeting Place:
9:45AM at Famous Sam's parking lot, just east of the McDonald's located at Magee & Oracle. We will try to carpool as much as possible as trailhead parking is limited.
Special Notes:
The field trip starts at Pima Canyon trailhead at 10 am, at the east end of Suffolk Hills drive.
This is a very beautiful trail in the NW Tucson area. However, the first half mile is quite rocky and rugged, traversing multiple hills on the way to the canyon. This a very early trip, but the bladderpods are already blooming in the Tucson mountains, and the London Rocket mustards are out in the Tucson neighborhoods. We hope to see some early spring species of butterflies including Oranges, Blues, Checkered Whites, and maybe Sara Orangetips and Desert Marbles. The trail has some rough areas; trekking poles are helpful at times.
Photo: Checkered White ♂ (Pontia protodice)
Trip Butterfly Reports:
On the first SEABA butterfly trip of the year, participants hiked into lower Pima Canyon. Mustards have sprouted and a few are in bloom. We also saw some Arizona blue eyes and lots of brittlebush in bloom. We hiked up the canyon about 1/4 mile beyond the confluence of the trail and the bottom of the canyon, taking a lunch break and turning back when we reached shade. 12 species were seen on this trip, including a lone Pipevine Swallowtail (Battus philenor) by some of the participants after we left the parking lot on our return to the carpool meeting site. Species seen:
- Pipevine Swallowtail Battus philenor
- Checkered White Pontia protodice
- Southern Dogface Colias cesonia
- Mexican Yellow Eurema mexicana
- Sleepy Orange Eurema nicippe
- Dainty Sulphur Nathalis iole
- Marine Blue Leptotes marina
- Reakirt’s Blue Hemiargus isola
- ‘Echo’ Spring Azure Celastrina ladon
- American Snout Libytheana carinenta
- Mourning Cloak Nymphalis antiopa
- Painted Lady Vanessa cardui
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.
