This message is from Laura Timms, a past Headwaters Nature speaker. She’s a Senior Specialist, Natural Heritage Management for Credit Valley Conservation, and is in charge of the annual CVC Butterfly Blitz. A number of our members have participated in this over the years.The 2023 CVC Butterfly Blitz is starting soon, running from May 6 – September 16.
They’re starting earlier this year in the hopes that we all can spot more early spring butterflies, many of which are already flying. We’ll then meet for an in-person kickoff event on June 3rd.
You can find out more about this fifth Butterfly Blitz at https://cvc.ca/butterfly-blitz/ and can register there via the enroll now button on the website.
One of the early spring butterflies of special interest is the West Virginia White, a provincial species of Special Concern. They should be flying soon, and may be found in large areas of intact deciduous forest with good populations of toothwort plants. (This describes quite a few hardwood bush lots up in our area!)
Those who register for the Butterfly Blitz will receive the online resource package and get the opportunity to sign up for our newsletter. Their newsletter will keep you informed about upcoming butterfly hikes, Butterfly Blitz contests, observations of the week, and more.
Citizen scientists in the Butterfly Blitz program collect useful data on local butterfly populations. You can take part on your own time, join in-person events throughout the summer, and watch the excellent online training videos if you need a butterfly refresher.
Eastern Comma, an early Spring butterfly, found at Island Lake on 2023 April 13 (MW)
Mourning Cloak, one of the most common and most recognizable early Spring butterflies, found at Island Lake on 2023 April 13 (MW)
Compton Tortoiseshell, Willoughby Nature Reserve, 2023 April 10. This poor photo taken with my smartphone turns out to be quite confidently identifiable because of the three orange marks along the leading edges of the front wings that just poke above the maple branch four metres above my head! (MW)
