2015 September 17

Monthly Butterfly Count

Announcement from Aziza Cooper

Hi Butterfly Counters,

Saturday is the beginning of the September Butterfly Count. The count period is from the 3rd Saturday to the 4th Sunday: September 19 to September 27. This is the last count period for the year.

There are still a few butterflies to be seen on warm days. It will be interesting finding out what’s still around.

Please use the form at https://www.vicnhs.bc.ca/website/index.php/butterfly-count to submit your results. Submit a separate form for each area you count, so I can take the higher number in case of double counting.

If you’d like a suggestion about what area to count, send me an email. If you want to be removed from this list or if you know of anyone who would like to be added, please email me.

Thanks for submitting your sightings, and happy counting! 

The monthly butterfly walk is held on the first Sunday of each month. The next walk is on October 4. It’s the last one for the year. We meet at Mt Tolmie summit at 1:00pm and decide on our destination from there. The walk will be cancelled if the weather is cool or rainy. Please check the VNHS calendar for changes and updates.

Enjoy the butterflies!

Aziza Cooper

Butterfly count coordinator

   Jody Wells sends a picture of a big anthill at Saanichton Spit.  Stunty cedars NW as reference point.  It’s beside the path.  Jeremy Tatum writes:  I don’t know if it is possible to identify the ants, but I believe the ones that build these big anthills are in the genus Formica – which is just Latin for ant.

Anthill Formica sp. (Hym.: Formicidae) Jody Wells

   Rosemary Jorna writes:  When I was changing notices on a community board on Tugwell Rd in Otter Point a group of these European Paper Wasps Polistes dominula were investigating or resting on the board under a notice.

European Paper Wasp Polistes dominula (Hym.: Vespidae)

Rosemary Jorna