Interest in birdwatching is growing worldwide, especially as people seek to reconnect with nature in the fast-paced world we live in. What better way to relax and be at peace with the world than to observe and learn more about these feathered marvels? It is natural and practically inevitable that as we progress in our study of nature through birds, we eventually turn our curiosity towards other living creatures. The more you know, the more you want to know…

Perhaps the most common progression in the realm of nature observation is to complement the study of birds with the study of butterflies. There are many parallels between these two groups: both groups exhibit the power of flight, both have a plethora of colourful species and are for the most part, beneficial or harmless to the interests of the human species. Both groups are easily visible during the day. Also, birds and butterflies exhibit an array of interesting behaviours. Some species are relatively easy to identify and find, while others are more difficult and challenging to differentiate. Also, in both groups, some are rarer and therefore more difficult to locate (the challenge factor). Interestingly and perhaps more to the point of today’s discussion, is that the tools necessary to observe and study both groups are similar (binoculars, field guides), are becoming increasingly more available and of are of better quality for the price than they were even a decade ago.  

Binoculars for butterflying  

 The only add-on feature that makes a great birding binocular into an equally good set for butterflying is the ability to focus close, 2 meters or less being a good rule of thumb. Some sets available these days even focus down to 1 meter, such as the Eagle Optics 8X32 Platinum Rangers (about $500 CDN). Kenn Kaufmann, widely known as one of the top birders in North America, opines that these are the best butterflying binos in the world! Close-focus permits you to observe some of the smaller features on butterflies sufficiently close to be able to confirm the identification of most, if not all, species that occur in the Maritimes.

Finally, another reason for shifting our observation of birds to butterflies at this time of year is that at the beginning of June, birds become more difficult to observe. As we move into summer, more birds will be involved in nesting behaviour. For a time, while they are nesting, many bird species become nearly invisible. For example, have you seen many Blue Jays lately? While Blue Jays are nesting, they become much more secretive and will normally be much less visible and vocal than they were in early spring or later in the season. Being colourfully feathered, Blue Jays must work a little harder at hiding themselves and not revealing their nesting sites as compared to many other species.

While over 200 species of birds nest in the Maritimes, about 80 species of butterflies complete their life cycle here as well. Therefore, it is perhaps less daunting a task than you may think to become familiar with the butterflies of our region. As the birds become more and more involved in nesting and the weather shifts from warm to hot, the butterflies shift their own activity levels into high gear and become more visible. So, this summer, why not try observing more of our winged wonders? While you keep on birdwatching, check out the butterflies too. I can virtually guarantee that you won’t regret that you did. You may even follow that up with a study of plants or dragonflies. Who knows where the “madness” will stop? Happy “bird”watching!