Three types of butterfly surveys are scheduled on a regular basis, beginning October 2023:

 

Butterfly surveys

Butterflies fly all year in coastal locations, where winter temperatures are moderated by warm ocean waters (relative to inland temperatures).  Butterfly numbers will be monitored monthly at coastal sites, selected for ease of access and proximity to survey teams.  

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Monthly surveys

Hatton Canyon - 1.5 mi. unpaved (mostly) road near the junction of Hwy One and Carmel Valley Rd.

Soberanes Creek - about 4.5 mi south of Pt. Lobos, and just off Hwy One, a trailhead follows a 1.5 mi. canyon

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Seasonal surveys

Partington Canyon - 1.0 mi. total, trail and fire road, along Hwy One, 36 mi (1 hour) south of Carmel

Garland Ranch River Trail - at 12 miles inland from Carmel, this is not a coastal site, though it is influenced by coastal fog and wind on many days; we survey the River Trail from near Garzas Creek to Dampierre Park

Pine Canyon Rd. - a 5 mi. paved and unpaved road starting at Jolon Rd. Jct. just west of King City; survey the entire road slowly by car, stopping when necessary to ID species or investigate activity. 

Piney Creek Rd. - a 3-mile forest road intersecting E. Carmel Valley Rd. about 5 mi. NW of the Arroyo Seco Rd. jct.  optional walk to a ridge at mile one can add additional hilltop species.

Chews Ridge and Tassajara Rd. -  about 9 mi. of paved and unpaved road starting at Tassajara Rd. Jct. with Carmel Valley Rd; another two miles to China Camp is optional; also walk the 1/4 mi. fire road to the fire lookout at Chews Ridge

Parkfield area, southeast county - survey accessible roads south, west , and east of Parkfield, including Parkfield-Coalinga Road and Cholame Rd.

 

Breeding Surveys

Rare species  starting in 2025, will be monitored during each species' peak flight season to track annual changes in numbers; some surveys may need to be repeated; all butterfly species will be counted.  

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