Let’s go butterflying! Join Pickering Creek naturalist Mary Helen Gillen to explore the meadows and wetlands of Pickering Creek Audubon Center in search of swooping Swallowtails, bold Brushfoots, dainty Gossamerwings, and more!

Watching butterflies as they float effortlessly among blooming flowers is a true source of summertime joy. If you admire the dazzling colors of swallowtails, the incredible migration of monarchs, or you wonder about the transformational process of metamorphosis, join Mary Helen for an enchanting summer butterfly walk. Participants will have a chance to practice identifying common butterfly species and will learn about the native plants that can support these winged wonders.

Gillen

Mary Helen Gillen

Mary Helen Gillen began studying monarchs as a volunteer docent at a winter resting site in California 12 years ago. After returning to her home state of Maryland, she dove into the butterflying hobby and has spent the last seven years at Pickering Creek, searching high and low for butterflies small and large, stunning and subtle.

Share this course
Related Courses You Might Enjoy
Native Pants

Lynn Randle

We will examine the benefits of using plants that are native to our area in order to enhance biodiversity and adaptability to our soils while creating a habitat for birds and pollinators through all seasons.
prothonotary warbler

Wayne Bell, Ph.D.

Two classes coupled with two all day field trips will focus, respectively, on songbird migrants and shorebird transients likely to be seen on selected birding hotspots in Maryland and Delaware.
Bees

Lisa Hamlin

Beginning with a discussion of the life cycle of the honey bee, you will have the unique opportunity to watch the installation of a package of honey bees in a new hive in a St Michaels yard and learn what you need for your own hive.