Point Reyes National Seashore Association
Muddy Hollow Trailhead, Inverness, CA
Sunday, May 3 from 10:30 am to 2:30 pm
Tickets: $15-60
From swallowtails to checkerspots and blues, we’ll search for diverse species while observing butterfly behavior and identifying key plants.
We will search for a variety of species and observe behaviors like puddling, nectaring, and maybe even egg laying. We’ll also take time to learn to recognize various native host plants like alders, ocean spray, milkmaids, sticky monkeyflower, yarrow, and purple needle grass as well as introduced plants that native butterflies have adapted to like English plantain. We will also look at native and non-native nectar plants including coastal hedge nettle, dewberry (native blackberry), wild radish and thistles.
Butterflies we have seen in previous classes in Muddy Hollow include Western Pine Elfins, California Ringlets, Red Admirals, Two Banded Skippers, Mylitta Crescents, Mourning Cloaks, and Painted Ladies.
Class includes an opportunity to view a number of butterfly and caterpillar field guides and learn the pros and cons of different ones.
This class is great preparation for the Marin North American Butterfly Association annual butterfly count in June and the Point Reyes Count in July, the butterfly community’s equivalent of the Christmas Bird Count.
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.
About the PRNSA Field Institute
The PRNSA Field Institute offers hands-on environmental education classes throughout the year that foster enjoyment of Point Reyes National Seashore. Our classes are led by expert instructors, who take you out of your everyday life and into the natural world. We host a variety of classes about the arts and sciences and have something for everyone. You can reach the Field Institute at (415) 663-1200 x304 or by email at fieldinstitute@ptreyes.org.
Interested in becoming a member of PRNSA? Click Here!
Interested in becoming a PRNSA Field Institute volunteer facilitator, or are you an outdoor educator or artist who would like to teach a PRNSA Field Institute class? Send an Email!
For any questions, please email us at fieldinstitute@ptreyes.org.