Butterfly Count at Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge

Butterflies are the highlight of summer. We enjoy their bright colors in our yards and in natural areas throughout New Mexico, but are there as many as there used to be? Are some kinds increasing in numbers and others disappearing?

Butterfly surveys are an important way to answer questions like these, and the Amigos de la Sevilleta invite the public to participate in their annual butterfly count on Saturday, Aug. 10.

“Every year since 2015, the Amigos have sponsored a count to get a snapshot of what is going on with butterflies in the Wildlife Refuge,” explained Rex Myers, president of the Amigos. “Sometimes there are thousands and other times there are only a few. We don’t know what we’re going to get this year, but the recent rains are giving us hope for good numbers. Kids and adults can look forward to a fun and interesting event.”

Space is limited, so signing up in advance is required. Volunteers should contact events@amigosdelasevilleta.org to reserve their spot.

On the day of the count, participants can choose between two teams which will explore different habitats, either desert uplands or riverside lowlands. Each team will be joined by experienced leaders and provided with water, nets and a brief butterfly identification training.

Scientists and researchers use information from citizen counts all over the country to create a real-time, large-scale picture of butterfly population dynamics, and to help them decide what types of detailed studies they should be doing.

“We’ve seen up to 20 different species during these counts,” said Meyers. “We submit our data to the North American Butterfly Association, which keeps track of counts nationwide. Sevilleta’s is the only NABA count in the state of New Mexico, so it’s important that we do it well. Volunteers can make a real contribution to our understanding of these beautiful members of the insect world.”

Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1973 to provide undisturbed natural habitat for plants and animals that live in the region. Management efforts are devoted to restoring and maintaining natural ecological processes in the refuge’s more than 230,000 acres.

The Rio Grande flows through the center of therefuge, andserves asan important source of water that creates an oasis for wildlife in the arid landscape.Sevilleta is a unit of the US Fish and Wildlife Service, which works with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people.

If you go:

• What: Sevilleta Butterfly Count

• When: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 10

• Where: Meet at Sevilleta NWR Visitor Center, just off I-25 at exit 169

•Info: Sign up required. Contact events@amigosdelasevilleta.org; general information: amigosdelasevilleta.org