Hamilton County Butterfly Count

Each year, Bob Nuhn leads the Hamilton County count for the North American Butterfly Assoication. Much like Audubon’s Christmas Bird Count, the butterfly counts compile all the butterflies seen wihtin a 15-mile diameter circle, on a single day near July 4.

This year’s count will be held on Saturday, July 6th, meeting at the harbor snack bar shelter at Miami Whitewater Forest at 9 a.m.  After 3 years of rain, please pray for no rain!  If it does, the rain date will be Sunday, July 7th. Please remember to dress accordingly as we will be in natural areas of high grass/forbs, possible ticks and chiggers. A little OFF on your socks and sunscreen on your skin goes a long way to ward off pests and sunburn. Please remember water, binoculars, and field guides if you have them. If you know of someone interested in coming out for all or part of this count, please invite them!  As always, knowledge of butterflies is not essential; you will pick some of that up from count leaders. What we need are your eyes in locating butterflies. Remember to sign in when you come to the harbor since NABA (North American Butterfly Association) wants to know how many participants are counting. There is no need to stay all day; any time you can spare will be deeply appreciated! Although most counting parties will be at MWF, our group will also hit Fernald Park in the early p.m., then finishing up at Mitchell Memorial Forest. We have noticed a major reduction in the number of butterflies we have found recently compared to the earlier years of the count. Why? Increased usage of pesticides, habitat fragmentation/degradation and the associated reduction in larval foodplants and adult nectar sources, and introduced pathogens initially meant to control injurious insects but now also attacking some beneficial insects including butterflies.

If you need to contact Bob on the count day and/or if you arrive in the afternoon and don’t know where counting parties are located, please don’t hesitate to call him on his cell:  513-479-8941. Thank you for your interest in our local plants and wildlife, including insects!  We are looking forward to seeing some interesting species this year, hopefully with the sun assisting!