MADISON — Great spangled fritillaries, spicebush swallowtails and silver spotted skippers are among the many species of butterflies that volunteers will encounter at the annual Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge butterfly count Saturday, Aug. 3.
Forty-six species of butterflies and 2,405 individual butterflies were spotted during the 2023 count.
Those attending should meet at the refuge office at 8 a.m. the morning of the count. The refuge is especially interested in counting monarch butterflies, whose populations have recently plummeted. These migratory beauties require native milkweeds to successfully reproduce, and the loss of milkweed across the Midwest is one of the primary reasons for their decline.
Survey teams will be divided based on the length of time participants wish to spend in the field. Some folks may choose to stay for the entire day; others may want to make it a half-day. Bring water, bug spray, sunscreen, snacks or lunch and binoculars. Butterfly field guides are recommended, but not required. Long pants are also recommended.
Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge consists of about 50,000 acres on the former Jefferson Proving Ground located in Jennings, Ripley, and Jefferson Counties in southeastern Indiana. The refuge is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and provides excellent public use opportunities, such as hunting, fishing, wildlife observation and photography, interpretation and environmental education. The refuge has one of the largest contiguous forest blocks in the southeastern part of the state as well as one of the largest grassland complexes in the state, both of which provide visitors wonderful wildlife viewing opportunities.
For more information and directions to the refuge, visit www.fws.gov/refuge/big_oaks.
