Surveys, field trips, monthly local walks, and counts are open to anyone interested in seeing or learning about Monterey County butterflies
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Participants should bring water and a lunch or snacks. Many outings are all-day. (monthly local walks are half-day). You may drive separately if you wish to leave early. Binoculars and/or camera are recommended; butterfly nets may be used for catch-and-release identification
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For meeting time and place, Contact Chris Tenney, 831-241-4820; tenneyx2@mac.com
It's been a long July as we pursued butterflies (and beetles) in the Sierra and SE Arizona.
In our absence, observers found nine new year species, and upped our 2025 total to now 81 confirmed year species. Perhaps the most exciting was a possible new locality for Lindsey's Skipper, not seen for several years in the foothills above Parkfield. (see Recent Sightings for more info).
As we enter the dry season, only two more outings are scheduled at this time (see below).
2025 Outings Schedule
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surveys (S) precise dates are weather-dependent, and will be posted at least several days before each survey; these surveys often target rare or difficult-to-find species
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butterfly counts (C) are scheduled for early June; exact dates will be posted following coordination with other California counts
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field trips (F) are planned for a few species-rich areas at the best time of year; the dates below are only approximate, and will be firmed up as the seasonal phenology progresses
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monthly peninsula-area walks (W) short half-day trips in the peninsula area; species and numbers will be counted to monitor seasonal changes in local butterfly populations
Outings every month
W: date TBD
Hatton Canyon - on good weather days, butterflies can be active all months of the year in some peninsula-area canyons; species counts vary from just a few in Dec-Jan to 20 or more in May-Jun. Over the years, Hatton canyon has yielded over 40 species of butterflies.
January 2025
February
S: canceled
Partington Canyon - Sonoran Blue, Gray-veined White, up to 10 other species possible
S: 2/23/25
Piney Creek Road - scouting trip; expect 10+ species, but it may be too early in the season
March
S: 2/26/25
Partington Canyon - Sonoran Blue, Gray-veined White, up to 10 other species possible
S: 3/23/25
Carmel River and coastal canyons - a fast-paced scouting trip to several sites
W: 3/24/25
Hatton Canyon - This monthly walk has been slow all winter, but warmup should help
S: 3/25/25
Garland Ranch or Garrapata - 10+ species expected
F: 3/26/26
Piney Creek Road - Last year's spring hot spot had 20 species in March.
April
S: 4/18/25
Garzas Creek, Garland Ranch RP - Sonoran Blue, up to ten species possible
S: 4/22/25
Rana Creek, Carmel Valley Road - looking for 2+ volunteers to survey a new area
S: 4/25/25
Hatton Canyon, Carmel - a nice beginners walk with 10+ species
S: 4/28/25
Soberanes Creek- several species of whites, blues, and swallowtails
May
S: 5/19/25
Rana Creek, Carmel Valley Road - this is the 2nd survey of a new area
S: 5/24/25
Pine Canyon Road: Thicket Hairstreak, other hairstreaks, possible Edith's Checkerspot
S: 5/22/25
South Coast Ridge Road - scouting trip; hairstreaks, coppers, etc.
C:5/31/25
Butterfly count at Santa Cruz
Butterfly count at UC Big Creek Reserve
Butterfly count at UC Hastings Reservation
C:6/1/25
Butterfly count at Pinnacles National Park
June
S: 6/22/25
Chews Ridge - three fritillary species, silver-spotted skipper, 30+ species
C:6/6/25
C:6/7/25
C:6/8/25
Butterfly count at Monterey
F: 6/27/25
Pine Canyon Road - target species: Thicket Hairstreak, Mt. Mahogany Hairstreak
S: 6/18/25
Rana Creek, Carmel Valley Road - 3rd monthly survey of a Wildlands Conservancy area
July
F: date TBD
Chews Ridge - target species: Unsilvered Fritillary, Golden Hairstreak
August
F: 8/17/25
King City along the Salinas River - continued searches for Melissa Blue, a county rarity; other possible species include checkered white and tailed copper.
September
F: 9/8/25
Parkfield area - target species: Great Blue hairstreak, purplish copper, and Mormon metalmark