2022 September 19 evening

September Butterfly Count

Notice from Gordon Hart

 Hello Butterfly Watchers,

The September count period started on Saturday September 17, and ends on Sunday, September 25. Sorry for the late notice, but it seems there are still butterflies to be found, mainly Cabbage Whites and Woodland Skippers, and a few Lorquin’s Admirals, but there may be more species out there. 

This is an informal census of butterfly numbers and species in Greater Victoria. The area is defined by the Christmas Bird Count circle, extending from Victoria to Brentwood Bay and Island View Road in Central Saanich, and west to Happy Valley and Triangle Mountain, and Langford Lake and Goldstream areas. 

You can submit a count any time over the count period, just use a separate form for each count and location. In the case of repeat or duplicate counts, I will use the higher numbers. To submit counts, please use the form from the VNHS website at https://www.vicnhs.bc.ca/?cat=8

If you have difficulty with the form, just send me an email with the information.

Thank-you for submitting your sightings and good luck with your count.

Gordon Hart,

Butterfly Count Coordinator,

Victoria Natural History Society

 

   As if to affirm that there are indeed a few butterflies still to be found, Jeff Gaskin reports that Kirsten Mills found two Lorquin’s Admirals yesterday, September 18. One was at the Airport and the other one was in Browning Park near Shelbourne Street.

   And of course there are still many Cabbage Whites to be seen.

 Mike Yip photographed the bee below on Mount Washington, September 16.  We cannot be certain of its identity, but Steven Roias suggests that it may  be a male Bombus flavifrons.

 

Probably a male Bombus flavifrons (Hym.: Apidae)  Mike Yip