You can do a “Big Year” for practically any group of species or any area, but we usually think of them in terms of birding Big Years: all the birds seen in a calendar year in a given region. Butterflies also make good Big Year candidates, as Rick Borchelt and Tom Stock found out in 2013 when they conducted Maryland’s record-setting Butterfly Big Year. Originally billed the “MD100” (because they thought that 100 butterfly species seen in the wild in Maryland was very ambitious), the effort took the two on more than 60 field trips, thousands of miles crisscrossing the state, and to innumerable diners, delis and hole-in-the-wall restaurants over the course of the year. And all that before iNaturalist!
In this presentation, Rick will share how the duo researched their plan of attack for MD100 for more than a year beforehand, what goes into the making of a Butterfly Big Year, and how the next folks who attempt a Maryland Butterfly Big Year can beat their tally of 105 species with a little advance planning!
This meeting of the NHSM Lep Club will take place on Zoom. You’ll receive the Zoom link and passcode via email with your registration confirmation. Please contact the club coordinator (mfalk@marylandnature.org) with any questions.
If you love butterflies and moths, consider joining the NHSM Lep Club. Made up of novice and expert lepidopterists who meet to exchange knowledge and support concerning habitat, threats, food sources, identification, and life cycle of butterflies and moths, the Lep Club encourages the sharing of knowledge for the raising and breeding of moths and butterflies through hands-on lessons and guest speakers. Club members are also involved in outreach in the greater Baltimore community through educational programs and service projects. Most club meetings feature a guest speaker who shares their knowledge on a topic related to moths and butterflies. Meetings also include time to distribute caterpillars and eggs.
To become a member: https://www.marylandnature.org/club-membership
To learn more about all NHSM Clubs: https://youtu.be/pIA7naRjXws