Eastern Shore Master Naturalists

🧤 Volunteer: North Northampton County Butterfly Count
2024-08-04 11:00 (America/Halifax) | OLD Northampton Middle School, 7247 Young Street, Machipongo, VA, United States
We are looking for volunteers to assist with the count. No experience necessary! Please contact Kellie Piekarsky to sign-up or get more info.

Date: Sunday, August 4, 2024 (Rain Date: Sunday, August 11, 2024).
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 Street Machipongo, VA (NOTE: The school does not have any accessible restrooms.)
Fee: There is a $3 fee for each participant’. Exact change would be greatly appreciated.
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.

Also, if you know of any public/private locations within our 15-mile count circle that would be a good place to see butterflies please let us know.
If you’d like to familiarize yourself with butterflies, watch the VMN webinar “Butterfly Identification: Beyond the Basics” and review the reference and presentation slides.

Count Circle for 2024 NABA North Northampton County Butterfly Count

Better Impact Category 14: Annual Butterfly Count – Eastern Shore/Northern Northampton County

Additional Information
Team Roles

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/requests to consider so that you can be prepared and have 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. I will bring the list of species we are most likely to see.

💡CE: Registration Opens for VMN State Conference (Virtual) Sept 27-29
2024-08-05 00:00 - 23:59 UTC | Virtual
Registration and other info here .
Category 2: Continuing Education

💡 CE: FRIDAY NIGHT OWL PROWL - Cape Charles Natural Area Preserve
2024-08-09 19:30 (America/Halifax) | Cape Charles NAP, 301 Patrick Henry Avenue, Cape Charles, VA, 23310, United States
YOU MUST REGISTER FOR THIS EVENT. NO WALK-INS.
Limited Attendees due to State Permit Restriction. Please call us at (757)331-1300 to register or visit us at the Library (Registration begins July 29, 2024).

Join local Interpreter Bill Dyas of REAL VA for an evening stroll through the Natural Area Preserve. Watch a beautiful sunset over the Chesapeake and learn about local nature. Once the sun has set, Bill will take you back through the preserve on a night stroll. Learn about animals of the night and keep an ear and eye open for an owl or two!

Better Impact Category 2: Continuing Education
