The Southwest Washtenaw Count (aka Noggles Road) NABA Count is the oldest count in the Greater Washtenaw County Survey. It was started in 1995 under the leadership of John Swales and Martin Bialecki, a resident of the area. The count area covers a rich variety of habitats including rich hardwood forests, fens, marshes, old fields, agricultural Alfalfa fields, and small patches of Oak-Pine Prairie. As a result it is very productive for butterflying and is probably the richest region in southeast Michigan in terms of number of species and total butterflies seen annually.
Some of the prime locations covered in the count are private properties along Noggles and Wellwood roads, Hidden Lakes Gardens near Tipton, state game lands off of Sharon Valley road, and Sharon Hollow Nature Conservancy. Each of these areas has unique habitat features that contribute to the success of the count.
Most butterfly records are sight records only. Binoculars and butterfly nets are carried into the field as aids to identifications. A few butterflies are vouchered to either seek expert opinion on questionable ids or to document a rare find for Michigan Lepidoptera Survey and Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Year by Year Highlights
1995: June 17, 26 species, 229 individuals, Count first started, Harris Checkerspot (C. harrisii) 2, Roadside Skipper (Amblyscirtes vialis) 1,
Silver-bordered Fritillary (Boloria selene) 2
1996: June 22, 36 species, 986 individuals, Bronze Copper (Lycaena hyllus) 1, Harris Checkerspot (C. harrisii) 6, Silver-bordered Fritillary (Boloria selene) 11, Hackberry Butterfly (Asterocampa celtis) 2
1997: July 10, 36 species, 831 individuals, Coral Hairstreak (Satyrium titus) 3, Edward's Hairstreak (Satyrium edwardsii) 1, Mulberry Wing (Poannes massasoit) 10, Dion Skipper (Euphyes dion) 3
1998: June 27, 38 species, 541 individuals, Acadian Hairstreak (Satyrium acadica) 1, Edward's Hairstreak (Satyrium edwardsii) 10, Meadow Fritillary (Boloria bellona) 2, Black Dash (Euphyes conspicua) 1
1999: June 26, First time over 40 species (41), 1023 individuals, Hickory Hairstreak (Satyrium caryaevorum) 1, Aphrodite (Speyeria aphrodite) 1, Buckeye (Junonia coenia) 2, Long Dash (Polites mystic) 1, Dion Skipper (Euphyes dion) 2
2000: June 24, 49! species for the count, 1171 individuals, Mustard White (Pieris napi) 4, Little Yellow (Eurema lisa) 1, Striped Hairstreak (Satyrium liparops) 1, Long Dash (Polites mystic) 3, ~50 Milbert's Tortoise Shell larva on Nettles
2001: June 23, 42 Species, 1012 individuals, American Painted Lady (Vanessa virgiensis) 28, Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui) 5, Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta) 111, Mustard White (Pieris napi) 4, Long Dash (Polites mystic) 2, Crossline Skipper (Polities origenes) 1, Silver-bordered Fritillary (Boloria selene) 5
2002: June 29, 45 Species, individuals, 1187 individuals, Aphrodite (Speyeria aphrodite) 1, Long Dash (Polites mystic) 6, Meadow Fritillary (Boloria bellona) 11, Wild Indigo Duskywing (Erynnis baptisiae) 1, Silver-spotted Skipper (Epargyreus clarus) 106, Mustard White (Pieris napi) 1
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