Butterflies for Beginners
Saturday, April 27 · 11am - 2pm PDT
In this introduction to butterflies you’ll meet 8 -12 species from different families (Swallowtails, Brushfoots, Gossamer Wings, Pierids, and Skippers) and have a chance to observe behaviors like nectaring, puddling, and possibly mating or egg laying.
You’ll learn host plants and nectar plants for various species, and which have adapted to non-native host plants. Find out the best places in Marin to go to see less common butterflies, like our California state butterfly, the California Dogface.
This class is excellent preparation for the Marin Butterfly Count in June which is the butterfly community’s equivalent to the Christmas Bird Count. At the end of the day you’ll be ready to continue the fascinating study of butterflies on your own.
Note: This is NOT a collecting class. Collecting butterflies is not permitted at Point Reyes National Seashore. All butterflies we visit with are returned to their habitat unharmed.
Wendy Dreskin has been teaching the popular class Meandering in Marin at College of Marin since 1998 and Point Reyes Field Seminars since 2005. In recognition of her work inspiring both children and adults, she was awarded the Terwilliger Environmental Award and inducted into the Marin Women’s Hall of Fame.
For any questions, please email us at fieldinstitute@ptreyes.org.