The Fluttering Beginnings of the Baker Ponds Butterfly Count

Every great endeavor begins with a spark of inspiration—or in this case, a flutter of wings. The Baker Ponds Butterfly Count (BPBC) traces its roots back to 2004 when Paula Goldberg, a Physician’s Assistant and seasonal camp counselor at Camp Pemigewassett (affectionately known as “Camp Pemi”), set out to bring butterflies into the spotlight in New Hampshire’s White Mountains. Drawing on her experience as a volunteer docent at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, Paula enlisted the help of entomologist Nate Erwin, the museum’s Insect Zoo and Butterfly Pavilion Manager. Erwin agreed to travel north on one condition: we needed to start New Hampshire’s first North American Butterfly Association count. And thus, a cherished annual tradition was born.

Nate Erwin is Not A Typical Entomologist (or N.A.T.E. for short). A long-time veteran of butterfly counts in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, Erwin also spent four years working with butterfly farmers in Costa Rica, sharing techniques for raising non lepidopteran insects (such as katydids, mantids, and more) to export to zoos and museums in the U.S. and other countries. Under the guidance of Costa Rica’s Ministry of Natural Resources, this approach significantly reduced the need to collect insects from the wild by relying on “farm-raised” specimens. 

Paula Goldberg & Nate Erwin

With Paula’s encouragement and Nate’s expertise, the BPBC was born—though not without a few bumps in the road (or, in one memorable case, a van in a ditch). During an early outing, Nate playfully shouted, “Punch it, Margaret!”—a line from a 1989 Toyota Camry commercial—to urge Paula to accelerate. Following his order, Paula backed the van into a culvert! It was a classic George and Gracie moment. Despite the mishap, the phrase became a lighthearted inside joke and a lasting part of BPBC’s early history.

Camp Pemi: A Butterfly Enthusiasm Incubator

From the very beginning, Camp Pemi became a cornerstone of the count. Larry Davis, the camp’s legendary Head of Nature Programs since 1970, brought his enthusiasm and expertise to the table, inspiring campers to get involved. Thanks in large part to Larry’s efforts, generations of campers have joined the BPBC, discovering the joy of butterflies—and learning that it’s not just Pink-edged Sulphurs that have pink edges.

It has been truly wonderful to have Camp Pemi kids involved in the count, and it’s rewarding to know that the BPBC has played at least a small role in inspiring a love for nature and butterflies in young minds. Their energy and curiosity have brought a vibrant spirit to the count. Camp alumni like Nick Gordon, now a member of Camp Pemi’s Program Staff, have kept the butterfly fever alive, inspiring campers to wield nets each summer. Matt Cloutier, an enthusiastic contributor to the BPBC during his time as an Outdoor Educator at Camp Pemi in 2019, was the first person to use count data to chart population trends. Matt now works as an Associate Producer at National Public Radio, demonstrating how early interests in nature can lead to exciting careers. In recent years Deb Kure has served as Head of Nature Programs following Larry Davis’s tenure. She has brought fresh energy and expertise to the program, continuing to spark curiosity about the natural world. With role models like Nate Erwin showing that studying insects can lead to a career, the count has left a lasting impact on many young nature enthusiasts.

The BPBC is fortunate to have access to two exceptional properties owned by Tom Thomson and Andy Schweigler, each spanning more than 2,000 acres. These tree farms are rich in diverse habitats, from wetlands and bogs to forests and meadows, supporting countless species. Tom Thomson’s property, in particular, is a highlight of the count. Tom not only participates every year but also guides participants through his land, showcasing breathtaking mountain views, a mountain tarn (Pickerel Pond), six distinct wetlands (including a floating bog and heron rookery), and cascading waterfalls along the two-mile ride to the property’s high point. Along the way, Tom shares fascinating stories about the history of Quinttown, a once-thriving village of over 200 residents that now exists primarily within the boundaries of his land. Equally generous, Andy Schweigler graciously makes his tree farm available to butterfly enthusiasts throughout the entire butterfly season, providing ongoing opportunities to explore and document the rich biodiversity his land supports.

Baker Ponds Butterfly Count group at the Thomson Tree Farm

Every count has its memorable moments, but few top Joyce Palmer’s first tallying experience in 2014. Tasked with marking a Question Mark (Polygonia interrogationis), she found herself caught in a comedy of misunderstandings. “If you know what it is, why call it a Question Mark?” she asked. The confusion quickly turned into the lepidopterist’s version of Abbott and Costello’s Who’s on First, leaving everyone in stitches. Joyce is the wife of current count coordinator George DeWolf.

This lighthearted moment is a perfect example of the welcoming spirit of the BPBC, where all are invited to participate, regardless of experience or knowledge. As George DeWolf often says, “The most important thing you bring to a butterfly count is your two eyes and your ability to spot insects with wings. Armed with cameras, we can find first and identify later.” Whether you’re a seasoned lepidopterist or a first-time participant, the count is about enjoying the search and sharing the experience with others.

From Humble Beginnings to More Precision

The early years of the BPBC were, well, an adventure. Paula and Nate relied on taped-together USGS topographical maps and count forms designed more for Virginia than New Hampshire. Over time, the process has been fine-tuned. The count form now includes only species observable in central New Hampshire. The count circle has been precisely defined as a 7.5-mile radius, and iNaturalist is now used to post observations, with the goal of capturing at least one photo of each species recorded during the count.

Greater emphasis has also been placed on educating participants about accurate species identification and providing them with improved maps highlighting known butterfly observation sites. Gone are the days of misidentifying all tiger swallowtails as Eastern Tiger Swallowtails and all sulphurs as Pink-edged Sulphurs—or wandering aimlessly through the count circle without knowing the best areas for spotting butterflies.

Now, all uncommon and rare sightings must be verified with a photograph to be included in the count. The focus has also expanded beyond butterflies. At Nate Erwin’s suggestion, we’re encouraging more participants to search for caterpillars as well.

The Highlights: Rare Finds, Interested Scientists, and Fun

Over the years, the BPBC has recorded some remarkable finds. Harvester sightings in 2009 and 2018 were particularly notable, the first made by Erwin and the second by Marie Krushwitz. Erwin’s excitement proved infectious, as it was only the second Harvester he had seen in his career—these butterflies are just that rare. In 2008, a very rare Variegated Fritillary was spotted (unphotographed), marking a significant find for this part of the state. A Silvery Blue was also observed in 2020 (alas, unphotographed), teasing the possibility of a late-flying record. These unphotographed sightings underscore the BPBC’s recent change to require photographs of anything uncommon before it can be counted.

And let’s not forget Gio, the camper whose participation in the BPBC inspired him to continue butterfly watching in his home state of Ohio. He collected a tiger swallowtail near his hometown with double tails (he sent an image to Paula and Nate), sparking enthusiastic discussion about what caused such a mutation. Erwin even trotted down the hall at the museum to consult with lepidopterists, who were impressed with the specimen. Although highly unlikely given that its typical range is confined to the western United States—no further east than central Nebraska, central Kansas, and most of Texas—there remains a remote possibility that this could have been a vagrant Two-tailed Swallowtail (Papilio multicaudata).

Around 2010, if memory serves, Professor Ryan J. Burke from the Biology Department at the University of Ottawa in Ontario, Canada, requested BPBC count results as part of a study published in the journal Biodiversity and Conservation. The study, titled "A Mobility Index for Canadian Butterfly Species Based on Naturalists' Knowledge," incorporated data from the BPBC to help assess butterfly mobility.

The tally rally at Moose Scoops Ice Cream in Warren is another cherished tradition, proving that nothing pairs better with two-winged insects than two scoops of ice cream.

Butterfly count volunteers the Moosescoops Tally Rally

In recent years the BPBC has continued to flourish. From building relationships with local landowners to enhancing training and outreach, the count remains a model of citizen science. With plans to document more larval stages and ensure that at least one photo is taken of every unique species observed, the BPBC is looking ahead to even more exciting summers.

So, the next time you see a butterfly, think of the BPBC and the community of enthusiasts who’ve made it a success. And if you ever find yourself tallying a Question Mark, just remember: it’s not a mystery—it’s a butterfly!