Date & Time:
March 25, 2018 - 9:30am to 2:00pm
Meeting Place:
McDonald's Safeway parking lot at Tanque Verde Road and Catalina Highway
Special Notes:
Carpooling is encouraged, although parking at the campground should not be a major problem. 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 this location.
We’ll walk along the Arizona Trail and a sandy wash, approximately 1.5-2 mi. round trip. Rhus trilobata (Skunk Bush) is blooming but Manzanitas are largely through blooming. We’ll be looking for Brown Elfins, AZ Hairstreaks, Juniper Hairstreaks, Sara Orangetips, and possibly Spring Whites, as well as other 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 is dry and sandy. Part of the time we’ll bushwhack along rocky hillsides and/or minor washes with no trails.
Photo: 'Siva' Juniper Hairstreak (Callophrys gryneus siva) nectaring on a Rhus trilobata by Larry Fellows
Trip Butterfly Reports:
The morning was in the low 60's and partly sunny. The group saw a brown elfin early on, aberrantly light golden in color. As it warmed up, more butterflies were seen, few in number but some unique spring species. 13 species were seen. The skunkbush (Rhus trilobata) was beginning to bloom, and there were still good numbers of blooming manzanita (Arctostaphylos sp.). After hiking Gordon Hirabayashi, the party also stopped at Molino Basin.
- Pipevine Swallowtail Battus philenor
- Two-tailed Swallowtail Papilio multicaudata
- Spring White Pontia sisymbrii
- Checkered White Pontia protodice
- Sara Orangetip Anthocharis sara
- Brown Elfin Callophrys augustinus
- Siva' Juniper Hairstreak Callophrys gryneus siva
- Gray Hairstreak Strymon melinus
- Marine Blue Leptotes marina
- ‘Echo’ Spring Azure Celastrina ladon
- Golden-headed Scallopwing Staphylus ceos
- Funereal Duskywing Erynnis funeralis
- White-barred Skipper Atrytonopsis pittacus
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.
