To all NABA members:

We are looking for people who are interested in doing some Monarch Larval Monitoring on the Knowlton Creek site in West Duluth starting very soon. We would really like this important data gathering to continue! There are a few people who would be willing to monitor the site once per month.  We are trying to put together a group of people who will commit to 1 time per month during the monitoring season.  It usually takes an hour or two to complete the monitoring.  Training will be available.  If interested, contact Marilyn Carter or Pat Sanders.

Moose Lake State Park butterfly count

Saturday June 26 is the date for our 8th annual Moose Lake State Park butterfly count.  The count will begin at 10:30 a.m. in the visitor’s center parking lot.

As in previous years, let’s car-pool from the Blackwoods Grill in Proctor.  Coming from Duluth, take the Highway #2 West exit off I-35 and go up the hill past West Skyline Parkway to Boundary Avenue; the Blackwoods Grill is on the right.  We will leave the Blackwoods at 9:45.

If you prefer to meet at Moose Lake State Park, it's about 35 miles south of Duluth, off I-35, exit #214. The Park entrance is 1/2 mile east of the freeway.  (Remember: they will charge a fee for parking unless you have a State Park permit.)

Total walking distance will be about 2.5 miles, all on groomed walking trails and a gravel road.  We’ll take a break in the parking lot at the 2/3 point for snacks and beverages, or if anyone needs to leave early.

Some things to consider wearing or bringing:

   Hiking boots or walking shoes.
   Heavy jeans.
   Lightweight long-sleeved shirt.
   Hat or cap to shield your eyes from glare.
   Sunscreen.
  Close-focusing monocular or binocular (I have 2 extras).
   Field guide.
   Note pad and pen.
   Fanny pack or lightweight shoulder bag to hold items.
   Camera (preferably with “macro” close-up capability).
   Snack and beverage.

Sunday June 27 will be our rain-out day if needed.

If you expect to attend, please let me know so I will have an idea how many people will be present.  And please let me know if you wish to car-pool.  I look forward to seeing you there!

Thanks,
Jim Phillips
(218) 729-4524

BOOK HIGHLIGHTS

Caterpillars in the Field and Garden. T.J. Allen, J.P. Brock and J. Glassberg. Oxford University Press, 2005.  
Includes caterpillars of butterflies and some moths.

Caterpillars of Eastern North America. David l. Wagner. Princeton University Press, 2005
This field guide Includes caterpillars of butterflies and moths.

Butterflies of the East Coast: An Observer's Guide.
Rich Cech and Guy Tudor.

Covell's Field Guide to Moths of Eastern North America.

About the NABA Northern Crescents Chapter

The North American Butterfly Association (NABA) was founded by Jeffrey Glassberg in 1992 to increase the public enjoyment of butterflies. NABA promotes recreational, non-consumptive butterflying and works to increase public knowledge, enjoyment and conservation of butterflies. In the past decade NABA has grown to over 4,000 members with 33 national chapters.

The Northern Crescents came to life in January 2002 and has attracted a diverse group of butterfly enthusiasts united by a love of butterflies. Our chapter includes students, gardeners, amateur and professional naturalists, teachers, artists, writers, homemakers, photographers and bee keepers.

Past meetings have included talks by

Larry Weber - author of "Butterflies of the North Woods"
Dave Benson - Duluth writer and naturalist
Pat Thomas - St. Louis county master gardener
Tom Kasper - Duluth city gardener