Is
Your Block Finished?
Can You Help In Another Block?
We've eased your burden this year. We'd like folks to find 40
species in any given block. But we're dropping that to 30. If
you've found 30 (or even if you haven't), please consider taking
on another block -- even for a few visits or even just one visit!
Here are the steps every VBS volunteer should now take:
1. Count Your Species
To determine how many species have been vouchered in any block,
consult the Block Count
Table. This count is accurate to within a species or two through
2005.
You can find which butterfly species have been vouchered in any
given block by consulting the Project
Database.
2. Pick Another Block
Check out the list of blocks that
need survey work or a color-coded
map. These priority blocks have fewer than 30 species vouchered
and desperately need additional survey work.
We are encouraging everyone to claim an underserved block if
they can. Or, even just stake claim to a few visits to a block
at a certain time of the season. Drop us an email
and let us know. We are keeping track so everyone knows when a
block may be covered sowe can best spread everyone around for
the most coverage possible. View the block
claims list
3. Get A Map
Once you've selected a new block, you can download its map
from our Map Page.
4. See What's Vouchered in Your New (or Old) Block
To get a list of species vouchered in your new block (or your
old block) visit the Project
Database.
5. Maximize Your Site Visits
We know you're busy. So if you've only got limited number
of days available to devote to butterflies this season, here's
a suggestion on when to get out in order to find the most species
in the least amount of time. Of course, we offer this advice with
some trepidation because we believe butterflies are an homage
to slowing down and an excuse to get outside any day the sun shines.
But if your time is limited, here's when to get out there:
1) Now: The first week in June allows you
to find much of what's already been flying this season.
2) Late June: Skippers begin to fly in force.
3) Early to Mid July: More skippers, lots of fritillaries,
hairstreaks, Satyrs.
5) Mid August: The late skippers (Common Branded and Leonard's),
lingering brush-footed butterflies, Orange Sulphur and others.
6. Download the New Checklist
You can use our new Regional
Checklist to determine which species you may have missed in
your block, including some that may be quite easy to find.
It is best to download the list (right click for PC users)
rather than view it only on line. (The list is an Adobe Acrobat
document (PDF), so you'll need Acrobat
Reader.)
7. Know Your Biophysicial Region
If you're not sure which biophysical region your block resides
in, check out our Biophysical
Region Map web page.Better yet, you can Download
the Biophysical Region Map (PC users should right click on
the link for the PDF) and get a much better view of the state
and where your survey block resides.
