St. Thomas Field Naturalist Club

Category: Butterfly Count

  • Annual Butterfly Count

    Written by Trish Snider in Butterfly Count, Citizen science project

    Join Us for Our Annual Butterfly Count!


    Have you ever wondered how something as simple as counting butterflies can make a difference? It truly does!
    Our Annual Butterfly Count is an important citizen science project that helps track butterfly population trends, monitor the health of our local habitats, and identify changes in our environment. The information collected contributes to conservation efforts and helps protect these incredible pollinators for future generations.
    Whether you’re an experienced butterfly enthusiast or simply enjoy spending time outdoors, everyone is welcome to participate! It’s a fun way to explore nature, learn about local butterfly species, and contribute to meaningful scientific research.
    Come spend a summer day enjoying nature while making a real difference—one butterfly at a time!


     Event Details
    Date: Saturday, July 11, 2026 Meeting Time: 9:15 a.m.
    Rain Date: Sunday, July 12, 2026
    Meeting Location: Woodlot Shelter, Pinafore Park – 95 Elm Street, St.Thomas(along the road heading toward the back of the park).
    To help coordinate coverage throughout Elgin County, please email Trish at trishsniderstfn@gmail.com if you plan to participate.
    When you RSVP, please let us know:

    What to Bring● Plenty of water (it’s worth saying twice—  WATER, WATER, WATER! )●  Lunch to enjoy along your route●  Bug spray●  Hat●  Butterfly net (if you have one)●  Comfortable walking shoes and weather-appropriate clothing
    Whether you will be participating for the full day or half day.  Whether you are experienced with butterfly counts or new to butterflying. New participants are warmly welcomed—we’ll pair you with an experienced group. Whether you plan to join us for dinner afterwards at Swiss Chalet.
    Ann and Trish will organize groups to ensure all count areas are covered.


    End of Day
    At 5:00 p.m., everyone will meet back at Pinafore Park at the concrete walkway leading to Lake Margaret. Ann will collect the completed butterfly count checklists.
    If you are unable to return to the park, your results can be:
    Phoned in to Ann after 7:00 p.m. at 519-773-8768, or Emailed to Trish at trishsniderstfn@gmail.com

    Optional Dinner
    After handing in our completed checklists, anyone interested is welcome to join us for dinner at Swiss Chalet.


    Questions?
    Please feel free to contact:
    Ann Vance – 519-773-8768 or Trish Snider – 226-237-9014
    Thank You!
    A heartfelt thank you to all of our volunteers—past and present—who have contributed to our Annual Butterfly Counts over the years.
    These counts provide an invaluable snapshot of the health of both butterfly populations and the habitats they depend on. Year after year, the data helps scientists determine whether species are increasing, declining, or remaining stable. It also allows our club to compare local trends over time, giving us a better understanding of how butterflies are faring right here in our community.
    We hope you’ll join us for another exciting day of butterflies, learning, and conservation. Every butterfly counted makes a difference!
    Thank you kindly, Trish and Ann.

  • Skunks Misery Butterfly Count

    Just a final reminder about the Skunk’s Misery Butterfly Count on Sunday, July 6th.    Please meet at the Newbury Hospital parking lot at 8:30am, as usual, to get organized for the morning efforts.  For those of you who do not know me, I will be the big fellow with the grey Tilley hat on. The $5 North American Butterfly Association fee and required sign-in will be collected at the hospital parking lot.  I will also have a small supply of the Butterflies of Southwestern Ontario books, and the laminated Butterflies of Southern and Eastern Ontario quick reference cards for sale – $10 each.  I have also secured a small quantity of butterfly nets from an overseas supplier – those are available at the $30 cost.  First come, first serve.  They will be available at the hospital parking lot in the morning and at the BBQ dinner in the evening. 

    Just a few other reminders:

    1. Lunch Rendezvous – CHANGE THIS YEAR – PLEASE READ!!!!!

    This year, we will meet for a “bring your own lunch” at the picnic pavilion at Big Bend Conservation Area outside of Wardsville.  The picnic table area at Little Kins Park in Wardsville, where we normally have met is unavailable this year and no picnic tables are present.  We have booked the picnic pavilion at Big Bend CA starting at 11am.  The picnic pavilion is near the back of Big Bend CA near the Boat Ramp.  A giant map of Big Bend CA is available when you first enter the driveway.  Of course, if you would rather continue hunting for butterflies, feel free to continue and eat lunch wherever you might be looking. 

    1. Evening BBQ and Count Summary

    We are going to have the BBQ and Count Summary in person again this year!!  You are free to arrive at my parent’s place at 11110 Furnival Road, south of Rodney (if you have hit Marsh Line while driving south on Furnival Road, you have gone too far) any time after 4pm.  Just find a shady spot in the back yard if you are earlier than the rest of the crowd!  Please bring your own chair, and something to share with the group in the way of vegetables, salads, finger foods or dessert.  Hamburgers, sausages, condiments, water, sodas, iced tea and lemonade will be provided courtesy of the Prieksaitis family.

    Any other questions, just feel free to drop me a line.  Also, feel free to forward this reminder to anyone else who might be interested in attending – the more the merrier!!  My cell phone is 647-401-2038 if there are any other emergencies on the count day. 

    And also, the Clear Creek Butterfly Count will also be held on Sunday, July 27th (on the last Sunday of July).  A separate message will follow but mark it in your calendars as well.

    Looking forward to the event and the chance to get together to celebrate once again!!  Hope you can make it!

    Cheers,

    George