The Fort Davis Butterfly Count circle is centered on the Jeff Davis County Courthouse in Fort Davis and extends from the CDRI’s Nature Center to the McDonald Observatory. Accessible sites within the count circle include:

• The Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center (507 acres with canyons, hills, grasslands, and woodlands)
• Davis Mountains State Park (average elevation 5,200 ft.; grasslands and pinyon-juniper-oak woodlands are the dominant vegetation types. Two creeks through the park provide riparian habitat)
• Fort Davis National Historic Site (average elevation 4,856 ft.; protected canyons, oak woodland, and open, grassy fields)
• The University of Texas McDonald Observatory (elevation 6600–6800 ft.; pinyon, oak, and alligator junipers in a grassy matrix)
• The Scenic Loop Drive (The drive, with its broad shoulders, is a great place to look for butterflies. However, never cross a fenceline without permission.)

Count Goal

Document the number and species of butterflies seen within the count circle in a single day.

Count Dates

Saturday, March 17, 2012

Saturday, July 14, 2012

Saturday, September 29, 2012

Getting Started

• Step 1: Email Cathryn Hoyt (choyt [at] cdri [dot] org) if you’re interested in participating in a butterfly count.
• Step 2: Let’s meet at 10:00 a.m. the morning of the count at the Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center to meet each other, organize teams, and make count assignments.
• Step 3: Go to your assigned area and conduct your count.
• Step 4: Regroup at the Nature Center around 4:30 p.m. to compile count lists and tell tall tales!
• Step 5: The compiler will organize all lists and submit them to the North American Butterfly Association. Count data and photographs will be posted to this website.

Count Protocol

The protocol for the Fort Davis Butterfly Count is the one used by the North American Butterfly Association. To learn more, download this NABA Count protocol sheet.

Skills Needed

• Counters (People that can identify butterflies “on the wing”).
• Photographers (Photodocumentation is invaluable for double-checking identifications).
• Data Trackers (People who will keep the count records as the identifiers call out the names and numbers of butterflies).
• Compiler (that invaluable team member who’s willing to consolidate all the count records and submit the data to NABA and prepare a list for the Nature Center website).

Equipment Needed

Much of the count takes place on rough, rocky, high-elevation trails. Participants must be physically able to walk long distances, climb hills, and be comfortable working outside in often challenging weather conditions. Always bring water and wear sturdy shoes and a hat.

Close-focus binoculars are handy for getting a good look at butterflies without spooking them. Thanks to a generous donation from Eagle Optics, we have Eagle Optics 8×42 Ranger close-focus binoculars to loan to count participants. Check out a pair at the Visitors’ Center.

For More Information

Need more information? Contact Dr. Cathryn Hoyt, Executive Director, at 432.364.2499 or choyt [at] cdri [dot] org.