The Coastal Virginia Wildlife Observatory is a non-profit established in 1994 to carry out the work of volunteers who began an annual songbird banding station at Kiptopeke State Park in 1963 on Virginia's Eastern Shore about a 40 minute drive from here. I decided to join them for their annual butterfly count since I have an interest in butterflies for my artwork and have a general interest in them and nature, of course! We met at the Eastern Shore of Virginia Wildlife Refuge visitor center to begin our count and then visited three butterfly gardens, walked in Kiptopeke State Park and made some roadside stops. We found at least 18 species of butterflies! And I learned alot from the people in my group, especially the master naturalist and my leader, the planter and caretaker of the butterfly gardens! A good day! Hot but good!
and how many species on the whole USA ?
ReplyDeleteHey there!
ReplyDeleteUne bonne question!
The website of the North American Butterfly Association says that there are about 575 species in our country, not including our states of Alaska and Hawaii. They said that in most areas of the USA you can find about 100 species near your home. I'm sure it depends on your location. I guess I am not finished looking!!
:-)
Perhaps that during summer they are numerous than on winter ...
ReplyDelete:-\
They are surely more numerous now until October. In the fall it is very fine to see many at one time when they are migrating south!
ReplyDelete:-)