🧤 Volunteer: North Northampton County Butterfly Count

All levels of expertise/experience are welcome! Please contact Kellie (kellie.piekarsky@verizon.net) if you have questions or need more info.

You do not have to be an ESMN to participate – please share this info with anyone who may be interested. 

Details

• Date: Sunday, August 3, 2025 (Rain Date: Sunday, August 10, 2025).
• Start Time: 11:00 a.m.
• End Time: Up to you. The count will last as long as you do! We appreciate your participation – there is no requirement to spend a particular amount of time.
• Meet-up Location: FORMER Northampton Middle School, 7247 Young StreetMachipongo, VA (NOTE: No restrooms are available.)
• Fee: ESMN will cover the $3.00 per person NABA fees.
• Suggested Attire: Dress and prepare for hot/humid, buggy, weather and walking in natural environments.
• Refreshments: Bring water and snacks/food as needed. It will most likely be very hot so hydration is important. Safety first.
• Volunteer Service Hours: Eastern Shore Master Naturalists can log their volunteer hours under Better Impact under Category 14 – Annual Butterfly Count – Eastern Shore/Northern Northampton County.
• VIDEO: There is a butterfly identification video you can review prior to the count.

Team Roles

Participants will be divided into teams to cover roles and mix expertise levels.

• Leader – point person for team. Ensures members go to specified locations timely.
• Spotters – alert team members to a butterfly they have observed (NO skill required!). Note: everyone on the team can spot! Photos are very helpful.
• Scribe/compiler – records the number of butterflies/species observed for each location and then calculates an overall total. Forms will be provided for recording counts. If you cannot make a firm ID the scribe should document as much information as possible to assist in later identification.
• Drivers – each team will decide how they want to manage transportation – carpool or separate vehicles.
• Identifiers – team members who have sufficient familiarity to identify the species observed.

Tips for a Good Counting Experience

Here are some suggestions for being prepared and having as pleasant an experience as possible:

• Think about how many hours you want spend counting butterflies. Some prefer to stop after a few hours while other like to do it all day. 
• Cameras, binoculars, and butterfly guides are great tools to have with you. Taking photos whenever you can is highly recommended, especially if you are unable to ID the butterfly in the field. Also, it’s great to include photos with any reporting.
• Please DO NOT net or touch any butterflies. This activity should be as unobtrusive to the butterflies and their neighbors as possible.
• Butterflies and Skippers will be counted – Moths are not considered for this count. You will have a list of species we are most likely to see.

Here is the 15 mile-radius count area:

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