New Jersey Butterfly Club

A chapter of the North American Butterfly Association (NABA)

2026 New Jersey Butterfly Club Field Trips

From Wade Wander, Field Trip Czar (begging for a way out)

How We Conduct Our Trips

Unless otherwise noted all trips will leave at 9:30 sharp from the meeting location. Poor-weather back-up dates are in parentheses. Be sure to check this website for last-minute changes.

NOTE: No weekend trips are scheduled for late June and early July because many members participate on Fourth of July Counts, which are held on weekends during this time period. However, members are encouraged to announce weekday Flash Trips.

OTHER POSSIBLE TRIPS THAT COULD BE ARRANGED ON WEEKDAYS: These could be Flash Trips or scheduled in advance by popular demand only, so let Wade know.

High Point State Park, Sussex County to look for Edwards’ Hairstreaks and other species near the High Point Monument parking lot and other easily accessible locations. Best in mid-June. Also, late August/early September to look for the very rare Leonard’s Skipper at only one of 2 or 3 known places in NJ.

Crystal Springs Preserve/Teetertown Ravine Preserve, Lebanon Twp., Hunterdon County. Best in late June when Canada Thistle is in good bloom.

Warren Grove Recreation Area

  • This is a joint field trip with the Native Plant Society
  • Date: Saturday April 18 (no rain date)
  • Location: Warren Grove, Ocean County
  • Leader: Dave Amadio, cell (609) 617-5795 (texts preferred)

Our target species here are Hoary Elfin and Hessel’s Hairstreak but many others are likely to be seen, including Brown Elfin, Pine Elfin, American Copper, Juniper Hairstreak, sundry azures, Sleepy Duskywing, and American Lady. Good spot for Pine Snake and other herps.

Meet at Lucille’s Country Cooking, 1496 Rt. 539, Warren Grove. Those wanting a good breakfast should arrive at Lucille’s no later than 8:45. Indoor bathroom available. No facilities at the butterfly site.

Jenny Jump State Forest

  • This is a joint field trip with the Native Plant Society
  • Date: Saturday April 25 (April 26)
  • Location: Hope Twp., Warren County
  • Leaders: Sharon and Wade Wander (973) 271-0204 or (973) 271-0051

We will walk the Summit Trail looking for early butterflies like Tiger Swallowtail, Falcate Orangetip, Spring Azure, Juniper Hairstreak, White-M Hairstreak, Eastern Comma, Mourning Cloak, Sleepy Duskywing, and Juvenal’s Duskywing. At the same time we will see many species of spring ephemeral wildflowers in this lovely, little-visited, mature deciduous forest that so far has relatively few invasive plants. Botany-savvy members will be on hand to ID plants. Trail is quite steep on the way up, but level at the top where we spend most of our time.

Meet in parking lot a short distance past headquarters bldg. at 330 State Park Road, Hope (Blairstown), NJ. Do not make left into headquarters but continue straight to another lot on the right. Indoor bathrooms available (sometimes with the added pleasure of moths).

Flatbrookville and Crater Lake Road, Delaware River National Recreation Area

  • Date: Thursday May 7
  • Location: Walpack Twp., Sussex County
  • Leaders: TBA

We hope to find Brown Elfin, Pine Elfin, Juniper Hairstreak, American Copper, Mourning Cloak, Sleepy and Juvenal duskywings, and if we are very lucky Cobweb Skipper. Bears, Porcupines and a Bobcat quite possible.

Meet at the Historic Millbrook Village Parking lot. On Old Mine Road, Hardwick Twp. Lunch at picnic tables at Crater Lake. Bathrooms available at Millbrook Village and Crater Lake.

This is a weekday trip as Crater Lake Road can get busy on weekends.

White Lake Natural Area and Shuster Pond

  • Date: Saturday MAY 23 (May 24)
  • Location: Hardwick Twp., Warren County
  • Leaders: Wade and Sharon Wander (973) 271-0204 or 271-0051 (White Lake) and Carla Lee Lewis (Shuster Pond).

Most members are familiar with White Lake as a good butterfly location. But this year, we will also visit a wonderful private property nearby at the invitation of the owners, Bob and Carla Lewis, where there is a colony of Appalachian Azures. Great botany, too.

Meet at the White Lake parking lot 97 Stillwater Road (Route 521), Blairstown, NJ. Port-a-pottie only at White Lake, no facilities at Shuster Pond.

Appalachian Trail Lands

  • Date: Thursday JUNE 18 (JUNE 19)
  • Location: Vernon Twp., Sussex County
  • Leaders: Wade and Sharon Wander (973) 271-0204 or 0051

We will visit several locations on state land where we hope to see Giant Swallowtail, Banded and Juniper hairstreaks, Northern Pearly-eye, Appalachian Brown, Eyed Brown, anglewings, emperors, Red-spotted Purple, Common Ringlet, and maybe Baltimore Checkerspot and Bronze Copper. See site description on our website.

Meet at Maple Grange Park at 36 Maple Grange Road. Indoor bathrooms available. Lunch and bathrooms at nearby Heaven Hill Farm.

This trip is very much dependent on the denseness of the mosquito swarms which were brutally thick last year prompting trip cancelation.

Bamboo Brook Outdoor Education Center and Kay Environmental Center

  • Date: Friday, JULY 10 (no rain date)
  • Location: Chester Twp., Morris County
  • Leaders: Bill Lynch of the NJCF and a mob of club members.

A Friday trip with the NJ Conservation Foundation. We usually see about 15-20 species of butterflies on these trips, which are open to the public. This is a great chance to share our knowledge of butterflies and other taxa to novices, including children.

Meet at the main building (down the steps from the large gravel parking lot) at 170 Longview Road, Far Hills. The Bamboo Brook portion of this trip begins at 9:30 and normally ends around noon. Indoor bathrooms available.

We will then have a late lunch at the nearby Kay Center, visit its butterfly garden, and walk some trails.

NABA Day at Karen Nash Memorial Butterfly Garden

  • Date: TBD
  • Location: Memorial School, Washington Boro, Warren County
  • Leader: Tomás Gonzales (908-328-3875)

Come join us for our 23rd annual “NABA day” at this special place between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. at Memorial School in Washington, Warren County. In addition to NABA folks, local parents and children will be encouraged to attend. Bring a lunch and come for the whole four hours, or stop in anytime between 10 and 2 to help us identify the butterflies and interact with the parents and kids.

DIRECTIONS: Memorial School is located at: 300 West Stewart Street, Washington, NJ 07882. From the center of Washington (which is the intersection of routes 31 and 57) go west on route 57 for about 0.7 mile and turn right onto North Prospect Street. Go one block and turn left onto West Stewart Street. Take this to the school and park. (DeLorme 29: H-15.)

Pequest Wildlife Management Area

  • Date: Wednesday July 22 (Friday July 24)
  • Location: Liberty and Mansfield townships, Warren County
  • Leaders: Wade and Sharon Wander (973) 271-0051

This trip is timed to coincide with the peak emergence of swallowtails partaking of the abundant Wild Bergamot nectar. We will visit a few fields filled with flowers, and a small dirt parking area that is often frequented by anglewings, snouts, and emperors.

Meet at the Resource Education Center parking lot at 605 Pequest Road, Oxford Twp. at 9:30. (The parking lot can also be accessed directly from Route 46.) Inside bathrooms available.

Club annual picnic at Kittatinny Valley State Park

  • Date: Saturday, August 1 (no rain date)
  • Location: Andover Twp., Sussex County
  • Field-trip Portion - Leader: Tom Halliwell (973) 713-2147

We will meet at the dirt/grass parking lot at the park entrance off Goodale Road (not Limecrest Road) and walk the roads and trails through large flower-filled meadows. Those arriving only for the picnic meet at the large parking lot on Limecrest Road about 1 mile off Route 206. Port-a-potty available at Goodale Road entrance, and inside bathrooms at the picnic area.

We need one or two members to organize the club picnic on August 1. This involves asking members what dishes they would like to bring for sharing and who is bringing the dogs, burgers, chicken, buns, etc., and for a volunteer to do the grilling. Participants are responsible for bringing their own beverages.

Bamboo Brook Outdoor Education Center, and Kay Environmental Center

  • Date: Friday, AUGUST 7 (no rain date)
  • Location: Chester Twp., Morris County
  • Leaders: Bill Lynch of the NJCF and a mob of club members.

A Friday trip with the NJ Conservation Foundation. We usually see about 15-20 species of butterflies on these trips, which are open to the public. This is a great chance to share our knowledge of butterflies and other taxa to novices, including children. Indoor bathrooms. We will have a late lunch at the nearby Kay Center and visit its butterfly garden and walk some trails.

Meet at the main building (down the steps from the large gravel parking lot) at 170 Longview Road, Far Hills. The Bamboo Brook portion of this trip begins at 9:30 and normally ends around noon. Indoor bathrooms available.

We will then have a late lunch at the nearby Kay Center, visit its butterfly garden, and walk some trails.

Assunpink Wildlife Management Area

  • Date: Saturday, August 15 (August 16)
  • Location: Upper Freehold Township, Monmouth County
  • Leaders: Joyce Cloughly and Tom Jawidzik

See site description on the club website. Lots of good stuff here especially if the explosion of Little Yellows and Cloudless Sulphurs continues from previous years. Meet at the large parking lot on the south side of Lake Assunpink. Port-a-potties available.

Mount ‘n’ Meadow, and Camp Mohican Road

  • Date: Saturday, AUGUST 29 (no rain date)
  • Location: Blairstown Twp., Warren County
  • Leader: Dennis Briede

Friend of the club Dennis Briede has once again offered to host the club for a leisurely walk through his meadows, which he maintains for insect pollinators, birds, and herps. Leonard’s and Ocola skippers are fair possibilities. If we fail to see Leonard’s at Mount ‘n’ Meadow we can drive a short distance to Camp Mohican Road and walk along a utility line easement where we will have a better chance at Leonard’s. Indoor bathroom at Mount ‘n’ Meadow.

Meet at Mount ‘n’ Meadow, 52 Gaisler Road, Blairstown, NJ

Pinelands Nursery

  • Date: Wednesday, September 9 (no rain date)
  • Location: 323 Island Road, Columbus, Burlington County
  • Leader: Janet Rekesius

Parking available. We will be able to have a picnic lunch onsite. Portajohn available. Expect to walk between rows of native plants in cultivation. Pinelands Nursery is wholesale to the trade, but Pinelands Direct is an online store with pickup nearby, so plan ahead accordingly if you wish.

Cape May

  • Overnight weekday trip between 9/21 and 9/25
  • Location: Various locations around the Cape
  • Leaders: Jack Miller and other colleagues from the Cape area

This always-popular getaway to the Cape is the capstone to our butterfly season. (Once specific dates have been determined it would be wise to immediately arrange for lodging/camping.) This is a chance to confer, consult, and otherwise hobnob with our friends from south Jersey.

How We Conduct Our Trips

First: Everyone is welcome to join us, club member or not.

Second: The club urgently needs more trip leaders and some member or members to arrange the annual club picnic.

Leaders

Scheduled trips will be organized and led by members who are familiar with the locations. The primary responsibility of a leader is logistical: to make sure that the venue is open on the scheduled date and that no other major events are scheduled for that day at that location, that sufficient parking is available, that public bathrooms (port-a-potties are suitable for this rugged group) are open, and that a shaded location is available for participants to sit and eat lunch (picnic tables a bonus but not necessary). It is also the responsibility of leaders to provide their contact information (cell phone) and to decide whether a trip is a go or a no go if the weather is dicey.

Field trip locations

As always, our goal is to mix in trips to new locations (or those we haven’t visited in a while) with those to tried-and-true destinations. Wade especially welcomes suggestions for new locations as it is human nature to keep returning to the same familiar spots year after year.

Timing

Early- and late-season field trips will be to south or coastal locales, where butterflies are out and about earlier and later in the year because of warmer temperatures. We like to schedule trips on Saturdays (which leaves Sundays as rain dates) but have included quite a few weekday excursions as most members are retired, unemployed, (or, in some cases, unemployable). Trips start at 9:30 unless otherwise noted. In hot weather trips may start at 9:00 or in cooler weather, at 10:00.

Difficulty

Unless otherwise noted most trips will involve fairly easy walking on mostly flat ground or gentle slopes.

Flash trips

Flash trips are those with short advance notice. For example, if you plan on going somewhere and want company (and who doesn’t nowadays?) let the club know! Except for meeting up, everybody is on their own, so you are not responsible for logistics. And if you personally can’t make it at the last moment, no worries as it is understood that these flash trips are essentially leaderless, with members and guests wandering about aimlessly but in good butterfly habitat.

Photography

Photographers who want to get very close to subjects should wait until everyone has gotten a satisfactory look before they stick their lenses into the labial palps of their quarry. I say this despite the fact that no photographer since Matthew Brady has admitted to scaring away a subject (And he photographed dead guys!). But please be considerate, especially of those for whom the butterfly in question may be a lifer.

Experts

Those of us who are experienced are encouraged to share their knowledge with others, especially beginners. It has been our experience that butterfliers are inquisitive about all aspects of nature, so feel free to pontificate about anything that catches your interest.

Keepers of lists

On every trip someone must volunteer to keep the daily list and location lists for posting on the club website. Ideally, at the end of each trip/location the list guru will review the tally with those people still present. The list shall include the keeper’s best approximation of the numbers of individuals of each species (which admittedly can be a challenge with our free-ranging group). The list is later uploaded by the list keeper or trip leader to the club sightings page for posterity. These data are important and are used by researchers studying changes in butterfly populations.

The last word (I promise)

These trips are supposed to be fun. So, if it’s a hot day (and some will be) and you start to feel uncomfortable, please feel free to bail out and sit in the shade or in your car with the AC blasting. There is nothing heroic about passing out! Please assume that all locations will have muddy areas, so always wear appropriate footgear. Other essentials are plenty of water, lunch or snack, sunscreen, close-focusing binoculars (loaners are available), can-do spirit, and a hat and long-sleeve shirt if you are especially sun sensitive. A bandana, headband, portable camp stool, insect spray, and tip money for the leader and field trip czar may also come in handy Please assume that ticks and other assorted unwelcome critters will be present on every trip (“Fun,” right?).