Exploring the Art of Butterfly Watching for Beginners
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Introduction to Butterfly Watching
If early mornings for birdwatching aren’t your thing, you might find butterfly watching to be a delightful alternative.
Photo: Erin Wilson
By Marion Renault
Cliff Hagen spotted a delicate powder blue spring azure butterfly approximately 15 yards away, flitting out of view behind a tree.
“That’s our first catch of the day,” Hagen remarked to a group of volunteers assisting him during the annual Staten Island butterfly count held in late June.
By the conclusion of their eight-hour adventure, the team had documented 346 butterflies across 24 species at various locations, despite the interruptions of hail and thunder.
Their observations included stained-glass American ladies perched on lavender, broad-winged skippers, and buckeyes swirling in vibrant rust and orange shades, along with the dusty common sootywing resting on a dandelion. The team even counted the elusive least skippers, among the smallest butterflies in North America, at Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden, alongside numerous cabbage whites fluttering nearby.
During the weeks surrounding the Fourth of July, groups like this conduct surveys in natural areas worldwide to assess butterfly populations. For many novice butterfly enthusiasts, these counts offer an accessible introduction to this outdoor activity.
Although butterfly watching may not rival birdwatching in popularity—boasting 5,000 members, the North American Butterfly Association (NABA) is dwarfed by the 45 million birders in the U.S.—it is often deemed “massively underrated,” according to science writer and butterfly aficionado Rosemary Mosco.
“A lot of people consider butterflies to be delicate and dull,” she explains. “However, they are incredibly fascinating and unique creatures. It never becomes monotonous.”
Some butterflies are carnivorous, while others are enchanting, and a few even possess elongated snouts. Found in diverse habitats, from bogs to mountainous terrains, about 20,000 butterfly species exist globally, with roughly 600 residing in the contiguous United States. Most Americans live close to around 100 butterfly species, with greater diversity in places like the Rio Grande Valley compared to New England, as noted by NABA.
Getting Started with Butterfly Watching
For those eager to embark on their butterfly-watching journey, here’s what you’ll need:
- A field guide such as "A Swift Guide to Butterflies of North America" or the "Kaufman Field Guide to Butterflies of North America"
- Binoculars (optional)
- A camera or smartphone for capturing images (optional)
Fortunately, that’s not a hefty list!
The field guide is your most essential tool. When you spot a butterfly, this resource will assist you in categorizing it into one of the six butterfly families in North America: swallowtails, whites and yellows, gossamerwings, metalmarks, brushfoots, and skippers. Additionally, these guides provide valuable insights into each species’ biology, including size, habitat, dietary needs, and migration periods.
While binoculars can enhance your viewing experience—allowing for a closer look at butterflies, some of which are as small as a dime—Hagen advises against using nets for catching butterflies. He describes such actions as “unnatural and unrefined,” emphasizing that there’s no need for a net.
Choosing the Right Locations
Photo: Steven Kamenar
You can find butterflies almost anywhere, but your best chances are in open natural areas around midday. Butterflies, like many reptiles and amphibians, are ectothermic, meaning their body temperature depends on their environment. These sun-loving creatures will seek refuge from chilly or damp conditions. Some species, such as the question mark butterfly, tend to emerge later in the day.
As you begin your butterfly watching, you’ll quickly realize that different species prefer specific habitats, such as wetlands, meadows, or woodlands, often near their host plants. Monarchs, for instance, are typically found around milkweed, while certain swallowtails favor herbs like parsley or tarragon.
Embarking on Your Butterfly Adventure
Photo: Annie Spratt
Step one: sleep in!
Unlike birdwatchers, who may rise before dawn, butterfly watchers can afford to wait until the sun warms the day enough for butterflies to be active.
Butterflies tend to be more approachable than birds, making it easier to get closer for a better look. Naturalist Jim McCormac, who shares insights about various creatures on his Ohio blog, notes, “It’s much easier to approach butterflies.”
When you encounter one you wish to observe, it’s advisable to approach stealthily. Mosco suggests crouching low to the ground to maintain a low profile. Once you’re close enough, take a photo for later identification using your field guide.
Don’t rush the process; start by identifying families before attempting to pinpoint specific species. Hagen recommends observing their flight patterns—how high or low they fly and their movement styles, such as bobbing or dancing.
“It’s not just about their appearance; it’s also about their behavior,” Hagen emphasizes.
If this feels overwhelming, numerous NABA chapters and local butterfly clubs organize meetings and excursions to guide newcomers in their initial butterfly-watching experiences. “More eyes, more butterflies” is Hagen’s motto.
“Learning from others is the simplest way to get involved,” Glassberg adds. “Engaging in the activity is very accessible.”
The Benefits of Butterfly Watching
“They’re stunning—that’s the primary allure,” McCormac states. “They truly are works of art.”
In addition to their beauty, spending time outdoors has proven health benefits, contributing to better sleep and enhanced mental well-being. Just two hours outside each week can lead to noticeable improvements. “Butterflying is beneficial for our well-being,” Glassberg asserts.
This hobby also fosters a mental awareness that can be both calming and enlightening. On a butterfly-watching outing, it’s hard not to notice the other wildlife—indigo buntings, woodpeckers, beetles, moths, damselflies, and dragonflies—buzzing around the vibrant flora of summer.
Ultimately, Glassberg hopes that engaging in butterfly watching inspires individuals to conserve both butterflies and their habitats. “If something isn’t part of your life, you won’t care if it disappears,” he concludes.
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