Conway Area Butterfly Count [2026]

The Conway Area Butterfly Count explores the iconic Mount Washington Valley and its expansive meadows and fields along the Saco River. We sample sites among the low hills and valleys of Madison, Eaton, and Albany, including old milkweed infested farm fields, cleared summit vistas and even riverine beachfront! Local gardens and well-landscaped woodlands around Tin Mountain Conservation Center often support the richest butterfly diversity in the region.
 

While participants can depart at any time, there will be two primary options for participation:

• Intermediate - Experts: 9:00am - 4:00pm
• Novices: 9:45am - 11:30am

All participants will meet at Tin Mountain's Nature Learning Center where they will be equipped with maps and datasheets. Intermediate/Expert counters will meet at 9am and be matched with a group leader and head off to various survey locations. At 9:45am, novices will meet and collect data with a Tin Mountain naturalist in habitats near our Nature Learning Center. Novices will learn the basics of the butterfly count and some identification tips and tricks. We will gather back at Tin Mountain at 4pm for a tally party. Folks from the novice group or anyone who departed early is welcome to come back and join us for the party!
 

We'll have nets for each group, but feel free to bring your own if you have one. Also be sure to bring a butterfly identification book if you have one, sunscreen, bug spray, a hat (for sun protection), plenty of water, and lunch/snacks.
 

During the month of July, join the NH Butterfly Monitoring Network to complete a collaborative butterfly survey count across New Hampshire! Volunteers will meet in various parts of the state on a given day to complete an organized survey in a 15-mile diameter count area. A coordinator will help to organize participants providing locations to visit, maps, and datasheets. Participants will work in small teams, providing a great opportunity for learning and connecting with other butterfly enthusiasts while spending the day counting butterflies for a national dataset. Throughout the course of the day, each team will visit 2-4 sites, exploring fields, woodlands and wetlands to observe which species and how many individuals are present. Over time, these results can be used to monitor changes in butterfly populations and study the effects of weather and habitat change on North American butterflies. All butterfly enthusiasts are welcome, with or without prior experience!