Central Arizona Butterfly Association

PLEASE NOTE: Monarch Tagging in Canelo with Gail Morris tentatively(!) rescheduled for Sunday Sep 27

Add this event to your personal calendar

Trip Location: Turkey Creek near the town of Canelo in the Forest Service Administrative Area (requires a permit to enter) which is approximately 15-20 miles south of Sonoita Meeting places and time: 1. 6:00AM at Fry’s Electronics at 2300 West Baseline Road, Tempe (nw corner of I-10 & Baseline Rd), at the parking lot close to Baseline Rd. in order to carpool down to Sonoita. 2. 8:30AM at the Shell station on SE corner of hwy 83 & hwy 82 in Sonoita. Please be prompt as Monarchs are flying and will be active at this time of day. There is an additional 1/2 hour drive to Turkey Creek. Approximate stop time: 12:30PM Trip Leaders: Gail & Bob Morris from the Southwest Monarch Study Trip description: This public trip will be a fantastic opportunity to learn and to help, if you wish, to tag Monarchs and to view/photograph many other species of butterflies. This portion of Turkey Creek is in the Administrative Area of Forest Service Land and requires a permit which has a limit of 22 people (including leaders). Turkey creek is a very beautiful riparian area with possible water in the creek and has fields with many thistles in bloom; both of which will attract a variety of butterflies including Monarchs, Swallowtails, Queens, Ladies, Skippers and others. Last year on this trip we saw 24 species and tagged a number of Monarchs. The road from Sonoita to Turkey Creek is a narrow paved road with some potholes. The final ¼ - ½ mile is dirt with possible washboard areas. Passenger cars should have no problem on this trip. Picnic tables are available for lunch at site. Gail & Bob Morris/Southwest Monarch Study have the permit that allows access to this government site and we are privileged to be invited to join them to learn more about Monarchs. Type of terrain: mostly level with tall grass and some bushes but uneven ground due to grass clumps. Some damp/wet marshy areas and in order to cross the creek it will entail walking through 6” to 8” of water for about 2-4’ in distance. Both sides of the creek are good and those who don’t want to get wet can stay on the near side. However, best results are obtained by venturing across the creek. To RSVP, please contact Gail Morris at swmonarchs@yahoo.com or 602-881-5052 Things to remember: Beginners are welcome on all field trips. Carpooling from Phoenix to the meeting site is encouraged (it will take about 2.5 hours to get to Sonoita)... and it is kind to share gas expenses. High clearance vehicles may be required for some trips. Dress for the field with sturdy shoes, or boots that can withstand 6” to 8” of water, hat, sunscreen, insect repellant; bring water, snacks, lunch, close-focus binoculars, camera, and field guides. Please remember that no collecting is allowed.