DATE

TIME

TRIP DESCRIPTION

TRIP LEADER

CONTACT PHONE/E-MAIL

May 6

Sun

10 am

ELFIN GRAND SLAM (Amherst)

We will search for Frosted, Brown, Henry’s and Eastern Pine. Meet at the Hitchcock Center in Amherst (on Rt. 116, 1 mile south of Amherst Center)

Tom Gagnon

tombwhawk@aol.com

May 19

Sat

call

Martha's Vineyard (rain date Sun May 20). While this date is past the expected peak on Martha's Vineyard for many early-season species, the following early butterflies are all still likely in anywhere from small to quite respectable numbers: Juniper Hairstreak; Brown, and Eastern Pine Elfins; Juvenal's, Wild Indigo, and Sleepy Duskywings; Spring and Cherry-gall Azures.  Hoary and Frosted Elfins and Dreamy and Horace's Duskywing are possible. This date falls within the "historical flight period" of about 30 species on the Vineyard, with earliest recorded dates for another handful falling within the next few days, so the potential for impressive diversity

and new early records is high if conditions are good.

Ferry ($5) leaves Woods Hole about 9 a.m.; parking about $12. Return about 5 p.m. Trip leaders will organize car transport on Island. Call Matt for further info and to confirm your participation.

Matt Pelikan

winging@aba.org

May 26

Sat

call

Delaney WMA, Stow. Large fields of vetch have produced numbers of Silvery Blues in recent years (over 100 sighted on last years field trip), many other species in various habitats.

Barbara Walker

Elise Barry

Barbara.Walker@umassmed.edu

ksbarry@gis.net

May 26

Sat

10 am

Wilbraham. To Wilbraham swamp, to search for Hessel’s Hairstreak. Meet at Eastfield Mall entrance on Rt. 20 E. Springfield. Please call ahead.

dottie case

413-665-2941

Jun 2

Sat

call

Gloucester, at Mill Pond field. Abundant in lupine, expect to see Ringlet, Tiger Swallowtail, Pearl Cresent, American Copper, American Lady species, probably Pecks Skipper, hopefully Silvery Blue.

Doug Savich

978-283-7869

Jun 3

Sun

call

Mt. Greylock (with Athol Bird and Nature Club)

EARLY HAIRSTREAKS and Pepper and Salt Skippers.

Mark Fairbrother

413-367-2695

Jun 9

Sat

9:30 am

Dauphainais Park, Grafton. This park includes open field areas, meadows, small pine barren. Good assortment of early summer butterflies. Dolores has listed 40 species in this area in a season. Harvester sighted on last years field trip!

Dolores Price

508-839-2299

Jun 17

Sun

10 am

Mountain Meadow Preserve (The Trustees of Reservations property), Williamston. High open meadow. Co-sponsored by The Trustees of Reservations.

Pam Weatherbee

413-458-3538

pamweath@bcn.net

Jun 23

Sat

10 am – noon

Arnold Arboretum, Jamaica Plain. Search for Hackberry Emperor. Dale will monitor hackberry trees and send out a prognosis by e-mail. Meet inside Arboretum in front of Hunnewell Bldg. Parking around perimeter of Arboretum & elsewhere.

Dale Rhoda

daler@alumni.duke.edu

Jun 23

Sat

10 am

Martin Burns WMA, Newburyport. Harris’ Checkerspot and other species. Also will check out Mill Pond in W. Newbury for Baltimore Checkerspots. Martin Burns WMA: From Rt. 1 heading North turn left onto Middle Rd. after crossing Parker River. Follow Middle Rd., bearing right at a fork onto Orchard St. (no sign). MBWMA is on the right after passing Newbury Perennial Gardens. Meet in parking lot.

Sharon Stichter

sharonstichter@mediaone.net

Jun 24

Sun

Royalston (co-sponsored with Library)

Carl Kamp

carlkamp@kersur.net

Jun 30

Sat

10 am-2 pm

Hitchcock Center - Larch Hill Butterfly Trail and Gardens, Rt. 116, Amherst. Open House to inaugurate the habitat trail – Master Gardeners on hand, guided or self-guided walks; gardening video; treats.

Ann Cann

dottie case

413-253-7753

413-665-2941

Jun 30

Sat

10 am

Turkey Hill (TheTrustees of Reservations), Hingham. Turkey Hill is home to a large population of Baltimore Checkerspots, as well as other species. A former horse pasture, grasses and flowers are lush. Baltimore Checkerspot eggs, chrysalises, and adults will be highly visible, possibly larvae. Continue on to World’s End, if time permits. Rain date Sunday 07/01.

Madeline Champagne

508-543-3380

July 7

Sat

1 – 3:30 p.m.

MAS Ipswich River WS – Family Butterfly Program.

Pre-registration and FEE.

Bob Speare

bspeare@massaudubon.org

July 28

Sat

10 am

Rock House Reservation, West Brookfield (Rt. 9, TheTrustees of Reservations property). Trail leading past boulders and ledge and small lake. Flowers and bushes specific for butterflies (butterfly bushes, coneflower, other perennials and annuals) have been planted in an informal garden where the trail crosses the power line.

Barbara Walker

Barbara.Walker@umassmed.edu

July 28

Sat

10 am

Amherst, Pioneer Valley Butterfly Garden Tour. A tour of gardens designed for butterflies in the Amherst and Pioneer Valley. Meet at the Hitchcock Center, Amherst.

Anne Cann

dottie case

413-253-7753

413-665-2941

July 28

Sat

1 – 2:30 p.m.

MAS Ipswich River WS – Children’s Butterfly Program.

Pre-registration and FEE.

Bob Speare

bspeare@massaudubon.org

Aug 4

Sat

10 am

Wachusett Reservoir. Expect to see Silver Spotted Skippers (in good numbers), Variegated Fritillary, Buckeye. Beautiful walk along shore, Indian hemp in bloom, common loons nesting nearby.

Tom Dodd

tdodd@gis.net

Aug 4

Sat

10 am

Gloucester. (rain date Sun Aug 5). At Babson Farm area (swampy), expect to see Mulberry Wing, Delaware Skipper, Black Dash, Dun Skipper, Appalachian Brown. At Waring Field, expect to see Silver Bordered Fritillary, Wood Nymphs.

Doug Savich

978-283-7869

Aug 12

Sun

10 am

Longmeadow and Springfield. Hackberry and Tawny Emperors, Zabulon Skippers. Meet at Fannie Stebbins Refuge parking lot at end of Bark Haul Road, off Rt. 5 in Longmeadow. Later we will go to Forest Park in Springfield.

Tom Gagnon

Karen Parker

tombwhawk@aol.com

413-525-7204

Aug 11

Sat

10 am

Woburn, Burlington, and other North suburban areas. Marj spends a lot of time in the field and will be scouting out the best areas.

Marj Rines

Madeline Champagne

marjrines@mediaone.net

508-543-3380

Aug 11

Sat

call

Forbush Bird Club, "Birds and Butterflies". Worcester area. Broad Meadow Brook WS and other areas. Call for time and meeting place.

Lyn Lovell

Dolores Price

jlovell@kersur.net

508-839-2299

Aug 18

Sat

9:30 am

Wenham Canal. Meet at MAS Ipswich River WS to check Fred’s beautiful Butterfly Garden. Then carpool to Wenham Canal, managed by Salem/Beverly Water Board. An abundance of species and individuals found here, including Buckeyes and Variegated Frits.

Fred Goodwin

fgoodwin@massaudubon.org

Aug 19

Sun

11 am – 2 pm

MAS Broad Meadow Brook WS, Worcester.

Jo-Anne Mullen

508-757-2168

Aug 25

Sat

10 am – 1 pm

Holland, MA. Call for meeting place and itinerary.

Lyn Lovell

Gail Jette

508-473-7327 jlovell@kersur.net

413-245-3056

Sep - Oct

Sat/Sun each weekend- also during the week

10 am

Westport,. BUTTERFLY MIGRATION WATCH (Monarch, Mourning Cloak, Painted Lady). Gooseberry Neck Island (abundant in seaside goldenrod), Allens Pond area, and Sylvan nursery – 31 species have been sighted in this area Sept – Oct.

In 1999 some fortunate MBC members watched 14,000 Monarchs pass by in a 5-hour period!

Meet in the Gooseberry Neck parking lot. Sat/Sun trips depending on weather and other activities, also during the week. Call ahead to verify dates.

Brian Cassie

Dick Hildreth

BrianRFG@aol.com

508-429-5085

Sep 15

Sat

10 am

Gloucester (rain date Sun Sep 16). Eastern Point may be full of migrating Monarchs, other areas may include Fiery Skipper and Long-tailed Skipper. Because of abundance of poison ivy at Eastern Point, long pants are recommended. Meet at Para Reasearch Building parking lot. Bring lunch, MBC meeting follows.

Doug Savich

978-283-7869

Sep 22

Sat

call

Martha's Vineyard (rain date Sun Sep 23) Diversity is declining at this point in the season, but ample opportunities to watch Leonard's Skippers are probable on this trip. In addition, this trip offers good potential for migrant nymphalids and southern immigrants, including Cloudless Sulphur, Common Buckeye, Painted Lady, and who knows what else? Counts of Orange and Clouded Sulphurs in the hundreds or thousands are likely at the Katama hay fields.

Matt Pelikan

winging@aba.org