The Pollard Walk, a method of collecting data about butterflies, was developed by Dr. Ernie Pollard in the 1970s and became the  preferred monitoring scheme for British butterflies. This method will also be used at the Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center to gather data about the ecology and population dynamics of our butterflies.

Protocol for Pollard Walk

A single, 2.5 mile-long transect has been established at the Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center. The transect starts at the Visitors’ Center, follows the road to the Clayton’s Overlook trailhead, climbs Clayton’s Overlook hill, descends into Modesta Canyon, and loops through the botanical garden.

• The transect will be walked at least once a week from January 1st through October 31st.
• Monitoring counts must take place between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. when butterflies are thought to be most active.
• Temperature must be at least 55º F at the beginning of the walk.

Goals

1. To record the species and numbers of butterflies seen within 5 m of the recorder as they walk at a steady pace along the transect.
2. To record the plants that are in bloom within 5 m of the recorder along the length of the transect.
3. To document butterfly behavior along the transects. Which plants are being used for nectar sources? Which plants are being used as larval host plants?

Job Descriptions

Although a single person may be able to record all the information that we’re looking for, a team approach is better. We’re looking for:

• Butterfly Monitors (Walk the transect and record butterflies seen on the required data sheet. Submit data sheets on a regular basis.)
• Plant Monitors (Walk the transect and record plants in bloom on the required data sheet. Submit data sheets on a regular basis.)
• Behavior Monitors (Walk the transect and document which plants are being used for nectar sources and which butterflies are using each plant. Observe behavior carefully, and document the use of plants as larval host plants. Turn in notes on a regular basis.)
• Analysts  (Set up spreadsheet or database system to record field data. )

Field Equipment

1. Close-focus binoculars and/or camera. Eagle Optics 8×32 Ranger binoculars are available for checkout in the Visitors’ Center.
2. Notebook or data sheets to record data.
3. Pocket Weather Station (for butterfly monitors. Can be checked out in the Visitors’ Center.)
4. Sturdy shoes, hat, water, and sunscreen.

If you would like to participate in this project, please contact:

Dr. Cathryn Hoyt
Executive Director
choyt [at] cdri [dot] org or 432.364.2499