Surveys for Taylor’s Checkerspot and Other at Risk on Southeastern (2009)

Patrick Lilley, Nick Page, and Jennifer Heron

November 2009

Surveys for Taylor’s Checkerspot and Other Butterfly Species at Risk on Southeastern Vancouver Island (2009)

Prepared by:

Patrick Lilley and Nick Page Raincoast Applied Ecology 102 - 1661 West 2nd Avenue Vancouver, BC V6J 1H3

Jennifer Heron B.C. Ministry of Environment Wildlife Science Section UBC Campus, 316 - 2202 Main Mall Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4

November 2009

Suggested Citation: Lilley, P., N. Page, and J. Heron. 2009. Surveys for Taylor’s Checkerspot and Other Butterfly Species at Risk on Southeastern Vancouver Island (2009). Report prepared for B.C. Ministry of Environment by Raincoast Applied Ecology. 16 pp. + appendices.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This project was managed by Jennifer Heron (B.C. Ministry of Environment [MoE]) and funded by B.C. Ministry of Environment (Wildlife Science Section, Alec Dale, Manager) and the federal Habitat Stewardship Program for Species at Risk (Environment Canada). Special thanks to Jennie Hutchison (MoE), Debbie Aird (MoE) and Kerri Davis (MoE) for administrative support.

The success of this project depended on the willingness of landowners and land managers to allow access to their properties. Special thanks to Timberwest Forest Corp. (Dave Lindsay, Fish & Wildlife Specialist) and the District of (Darrell Frank, Municipal Forester) for their support of this project.

The City of Victoria Parks Department (Michelle Gorman) provided additional data that was included as part of this report.

Rob Knight (B.C. Ministry of Environment) facilitated access to the orthophotos used for habitat identification and mapping.

Cover photo of Vancouver Island Ringlet (Coenonympha tullia insulana) by Patrick Lilley.

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1. SUMMARY

Surveys were undertaken in 2009 to search for the endangered Taylor’s Checkerspot (Euphydryas editha taylori) and other butterfly species at risk on southeastern Vancouver Island. In addition to Taylor’s Checkerspot, four other species were targeted as part of the surveys: Island Marble ( ausonides insulanus), Vancouver Island Ringlet (Coenonympha tullia insulana), Island Blue (Plebejus saepiolus insulanus), and Bremner’s Fritilllary ( zerene bremnerii). All butterfly observations were mapped and recorded.

Wandering transects through open habitats were the primary method for identifying the presence and distribution of . A total of 374.2 km of wandering transects was undertaken between May 21 and August 26, 2009 encompassing 101.5 hrs of field time.

A total of 1,933 butterfly observations were mapped during the survey encompassing 27 unique taxa. Taylor’s Checkerspot was not encountered during the survey. Vancouver Island Ringlet was recorded at six sites, including three new sites in the . The most abundant five butterflies were Western Spring Azure ( echo) (551; 28.5% of observations), Mylitta Crescent (Phyciodes mylitta) (303; 15.7%), Hydaspe Fritillary (Speyeria hydaspe) (133; 6.9%), Vancouver Island Ringlet (Coenonympha tullia insulana) (123; 6.4%), and Cabbage White (Pieris rapae) (121; 6.3%). Two other butterfly species of conservation concern were observed. Fifty‐one observations of Propertius Duskywing (Erynnis propertius) and 19 observations of Common Wood‐nymph (Cercyonis pegala incana), both provincially blue‐listed species, were made at eight and four sites, respectively.

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2. INTRODUCTION

Project Purpose

The purpose of the surveys was to search for undocumented populations of Taylor’s Checkerspot (Euphydryas editha taylori) and four other butterfly species at risk known historically from southeastern Vancouver Island: Large Marble, insulanus subspecies (Euchloe ausonides insulanus; also known as Island Marble), Common Ringlet, insulana subspecies (Coenonympha tullia insulana; also known as Vancouver Island Ringlet), Greenish Blue, insulanus subspecies (Plebejus saepiolus insulanus; also known as Island Blue), and Zerene Fritillary, bremnerii subspecies ( bremnerii; also known as Bremner’s Fritilllary). Secondarily, the surveys aimed to identify and map the distribution of all butterflies encountered, including eight other rare species known from the area (see Table 1). Of the five main target species, Taylor’s Checkerspot had the highest priority and a greater amount of time was devoted to searches within the flight season and potentially suitable habitat for this species.

Background

Taylor’s Checkerspot is a charismatic orange, black, and white checkered butterfly historically known from open habitats of southeastern Vancouver Island, . Elsewhere in the species’ global range, it occurs in Puget Sound and the Willamette Valley. Adults typically fly from mid‐April to late May. Historic adult occurrence records exist from maritime meadows of Garry oak ecosystems, semi‐ maintained agricultural fields, disturbed clearings, and utility rights‐of‐way. In Canada, it is currently known from a single population on Denman Island which occupies moist clearcuts and other adjacent clearings and flies from mid‐May to mid‐June (Page et al. 2007, Page et al. 2008). Twenty‐two other Canadian populations are thought to be extirpated. The two most recently occupied sites were a powerline right‐of‐way 3 km southwest of Mill Bay (last observation in 1989) and maritime meadows in Helliwell Provincial Park on Hornby Island (last observation in 1995).

In 2008, a single Taylor’s Checkerspot butterfly was observed on a utility right‐of‐way east of Highway 19 and north of Buckley Bay (Page et al. 2008). It is not known whether this sighting represents a previously‐unknown population or whether the individual had dispersed from the Denman Island population. As Taylor’s Checkerspot is red‐listed in BC and listed as Endangered in Canada (COSEWIC 2000), surveys for new undocumented populations throughout the species’ range are part of recovery efforts for this species (Parks Canada 2006).

In addition to Taylor’s Checkerspot, twelve other butterfly species of conservation concern are known from southeastern Vancouver Island and the adjacent (Appendix 1). Surveys within unchecked habitat are identified as priority actions in the respective recovery strategies for Taylor’s Checkerspot, Island Marble (Parks Canada 2006), and Island Blue (Garry Oak Invertebrates Recovery Implementation Group 2008). Some species, such as Propertius Duskywing and Moss’ Elfin, are still common locally but have a limited geographic range. Others, such as Island Marble, are likely extirpated from Canada.

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Table 1. Conservation rankings and listing status of thirteen butterfly species of conservation concern known from Southeastern Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands.

Common Name Scientific Name Global Provincial BC List COSEWIC Rank Rank Status Taylor’s Checkerspot Euphydryas editha G5T1 S1 (2008) Red Endangered taylori (2006) (2000) Large Marble, insulanus Euchloe ausonides G5T1 SX (2006) Red Extirpated subspecies insulanus (2004) (2000) (Island Marble) Common Ringlet, insulana Coenonympha tullia G5T3T4 S1 (2006) Red subspecies insulana (1998) (Vancouver Island Ringlet) Greenish Blue, insulanus Plebejus saepiolus G5TH SH (2006) Red Endangered subspecies insulanus (2003) (2000) (Island Blue) Zerene Fritillary, bremnerii Speyeria zerene G5T3T4 S2 (2006) Red Currently under subspecies bremnerii (1998) assessment (Bremner’s Fritillary) Johnson’s Hairstreak Callophrys johnsoni G3G4 S1S2 Red (2004) (2006) Boisduval’s Blue, blackmorei Plebejus icarioides G5T3 S3 (2006) Blue subspecies blackmorei (2006) (Blackmore’s Blue ) Propertius Duskywing Erynnis propertius G5 (1998) S2S3 Blue (2006) Moss’ Elfin, mossii subspecies Callophrys mossii mossii G4T4 S2S3 Blue (2001) (2006) Dun Skipper Euphyes vestris G5 (2006) S3 (2006) Blue Threatened (2000) Common Wood‐nymph, Cercyonis pegala incana G5T4T5 S2 (2006) Blue incana subspecies (2003) Western Pine Elfin, Callophrys eryphon G5TNR S3 (2006) Blue sheltonensis subspecies sheltonensis Chalcedon Checkerspot, Euphydryas chalcedona ‐ ‐ (subspecies not perdiccas subspecies perdiccas listed)

Of the thirteen rare butterfly species known from Southeastern Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands, four species, Island Marble, Vancouver Island Ringlet, Island Blue, and Bremner’s Fritillary, also occupy open habitats and share a similar historic range with Taylor’s Checkerspot (Table 2). This overlap means that surveys for Taylor’s Checkerspot can also jointly target these species. While flight periods are not overlapping in some cases (see Table 2 for flight season details), information and landowner permission gathered during early‐season surveys for Taylor’s Checkerspot are valuable for later‐season surveys for these species.

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Table 2. Flight periods and potential suitable habitats for five butterfly species at risk targeted during 2009 surveys.

Species Flight Period Potential Suitable Habitats Source(s) Taylor’s Checkerspot Mid‐April to mid‐May Maritime meadows, disturbed Page et al. 2008 Euphydryas editha taylori Mid‐May to mid‐June (Denman clearings and fields, subhygric to & Hornby Islands) hygric clearcuts and utility rights‐of‐way Island Marble May and June Garry oak ecosystems, open Guppy and Shepard Euchloe ausonides insulanus Mid‐April to late June (San shoreline, sand dunes, grassland, 2001 Juan Islands) and agricultural and disturbed Miskelly and Potter 2009 land Vancouver Island Ringlet May to July (first brood) Damp meadows and grasslands Guppy and Shepard Coenonympha tullia insulana August to October 2001 (second brood) Island Blue Late May to early August Meadows, forest openings, Guppy 2003 Plebejus saepiolus insulanus roadsides, streambanks, Parks Canada 2008 subalpine areas Bremner’s Fritillary Early July to late August Mesic and xeric meadows with Guppy and Shepard Speyeria zerene bremnerii permanent springs 2001

Most butterflies require the presence of one or more critical host plants for egg laying and larval feeding. Larval host plants are a good indicator of potential habitat and knowledge of larval host plants and their habitats can further help to target surveys. It is also thought that the reduced abundance of host plants is a primary threat to butterfly diversity in the region (Baron and Backhouse 1999). Table 3 lists the documented and possible larval host plants known for each of the five species that were the focus of these surveys.

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Table 3. Documented and possible host plants for five butterflies species targeted during 2009 surveys.

Species Documented Host Plants Possible Host Plants Source(s) Taylor’s Checkerspot Veronica scutellata Plantago maritima Page et al. 2008 Euphydryas editha taylori Veronica serpyllifolia Castilleja levisecta Severns and Warren Veronica beccabunga Other owl clover sp. 2008 Plantago lanceolata Murphy et al. 1983 Plantago major Parks Canada 2006 (Denman Island)

Plantago lanceolata Castelleja hispida Collinsia parviflora Plectritis congesta Triphysaria pusilla (U.S. populations) Island Marble Brassica campestris Arabis spp., particularly Arabis COSEWIC 2000 Euchloe ausonides insulanus Sisymbrium altissimum hirsuta Miskelly and Potter 2009 Lepidium virginicum (former B.C. populations) (San Juan Islands) Vancouver Island Ringlet Low‐growing grasses Agrostis spp., Poa spp., Guppy and Shepard 2001 Coenonympha tullia insulana Danthonia californica, Festuca J. Miskelly, pers. comm. rubra Island Blue Trifolium spp. Trifolium wormskioldii Trifolium Guppy 2003 Plebejus saepiolus insulanus wildenowii and other Garry oak Parks Canada 2006 ecosystem clovers Bremner’s Fritillary Viola spp. Viola adunca Guppy and Shepard 2001 Speyeria zerene bremnerii Viola palustris Viola praemorsa

This report is intended to provide a concise summary of the methods and results of the survey. Much of the data are provided as appendices including spatial datasets in Arcview GIS or summarized data in spreadsheets.

3. METHODS

The survey for Taylor’s Checkerspot and other butterfly species at risk on southeastern Vancouver Island area consisted of four components: (1) prioritization of survey sites; (2) landowner contact to gain permission to conduct surveys; (3) field surveys using wandering transects; and (4) description and preliminary data analysis. Each is described in more detail below.

Field Survey Priorities. Prior to field surveys, potentially suitable habitats for butterflies were identified on southeastern Vancouver Island using recent (2005) orthophotos (provided by B.C. Ministry of Environment), Google Earth imagery, and the authors’ local knowledge of the area. Several land managers were also consulted for recommendations of potentially suitable habitat with their jurisdictions. Much of the prioritization was based on habitat maps compiled earlier in the year (see Lilley and Page 2009). In general, potential habitats were defined as grass‐ or forb‐dominated open areas that are not frequently mowed, cultivated, or used for regular livestock grazing. This included natural meadows, rock bluffs, recent clearcuts, unmaintained fields, roadsides, railway corridors, and utility rights‐of‐way. Based on the known dispersal capabilities of Taylor’s Checkerspot (see Ehrlich and Hanski 2004), sites within 5 km of Taylor’s Checkerspot or other target species populations were higher

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priority than sites farther away. Areas with known populations of larval host plants or habitat characteristics known to be associated with larval host plants were also of higher priority.

Based on a review of historical records, habitat mapping, host plant preferences, and the timing of the 2009 field season, the following high priority areas were identified for surveys:

• Shawnigan‐Duncan area (revisit historical site at Shawnigan); • North Cowichan area (esp. , Maple Mountain, ); • Wellington‐Nanaimo Lakes‐Cassidy area west of Nanaimo; • Nanoose Bay and areas west; • Coombs‐Errington area north of Nanaimo; • Buckley Bay area south of Courtenay (esp. the utility right‐of‐way where a single Taylor’s Checkerspot adult was observed in 2008); and • Black Creek area north of Courtenay.

Landowner Contact. Prior to access to any private lands for butterfly surveys, landowners were contacted in person, by phone, by email, or by mail (see Appendix 1 for example letters) to discuss the purpose of the survey and request permission for access. Information on Taylor’s Checkerspot was provided where appropriate (posters or information sheets) but generally landowner contact was verbal and informal. Landowners were specifically told that the data would be provided to the B.C. Conservation Data Centre as part of the project, unless alternate data management requirements were requested or required. Landowner contact information was recorded.

Field Survey Methods. Foot and car based wandering transects were used to survey for Taylor’s Checkerspot and other butterfly species in potentially suitable habitats. Wandering transects follow no fixed route and meander through a range of habitats and often follow routes of convenience such as roads or open areas. They are an efficient method for identifying butterfly presence and the spatial distribution of butterfly populations when little information is available, but the data collected cannot be used to statistically infer population sizes or, if used over time, for population monitoring.

For each wandering transect at each location, the following general information was collected: (1) date and general location; (2) start + end points (GPS points); (3) start + end times; and (5) air temperature and weather (e.g., amount of sun, wind). Transect routes were recording using the tracking function in the handheld GPS (Garmin GPSmap60) and provided an accurate record of the transect route. Most data was collected during warm, dry and sunny or bright overcast weather between 9 am and 5 pm1.

Where butterflies were observed, the following data were collected: (1) point location using handheld GPS (typically 5–10 m accuracy); (2) butterfly species and number of individuals observed; and (3) general behavior (flying, perched, sunning, nectaring, mating, territorial behavior).

Identification of butterflies was generally undertaken visually without capture or collection. Some species (e.g., anglewings, some skippers, etc.) were often observed in flight and difficult to identify from

1 We generally followed the guidelines of the UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme, which recommends that surveys be undertaken during dry conditions where temperatures are 13⁰C or greater if there is at least 60% sunshine, or more than 17⁰C if overcast.

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a distance. Therefore, not all observations were identified to species. Photographs were taken of representative butterflies to confirm identification. No specimens were collected during the survey.

We focused on surveying a range of potentially suitable habitats, such as recent clearcuts, utility rights‐ of‐way, open meadow habitats, and pastures. Initial surveys attempted to cover a wide array of potential habitats across the region. Both walking and driving transects were used to cover maximum territory. However, suitable habitats were limited, particularly in agricultural areas. Most agricultural fields are grass‐dominated ad support too few host or nectar plants to sustain butterflies. Further efforts were exerted relative to the general quality of habitat, based on the presence of appropriate larval host plants and adult nectaring plants, openness, exposure, and disturbance level. The highest quality habitats were generally surveyed multiple times on foot.

Survey periods were timed to coincide with the flight periods of the five target species, with a greater focus on the flight season of Taylor’s Checkerspot. Note that not all parts of southeastern Vancouver Island were covered during each survey period. Surveys were focused on the highest priority areas and habitats for the target species during each survey period.

All adult surveys in 2009 were undertaken by Patrick Lilley and Nick Page of Raincoast Applied Ecology.

Additional Data. During 2009, Raincoast Applied Ecology (Nick Page and Patrick Lilley) conducted butterfly surveys in four municipal parks in the City of Victoria (Beacon Hill Park, Moss Ross Park, Summit Park, and Banfield Park) for the City of Victoria. With permission from the City of Victoria Parks Department, data was included in this report as these parks fall within the historic range and/or historic occurrence records for the five target species.

Data Analysis. Analyses characterized the general butterfly community (abundance and distribution of species observed), and mapped the location of transects and butterfly observations. All data will be submitted to the B.C. Conservation Data Centre and the provincial Wildlife Species Inventory. Warehouse.

5. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Survey Timing and Intensity. A total of 374.2 km of wandering transects (279.2 km by foot; 95.0 km by car) were covered in 101.5 hrs of field time between May 21 and August 26, 2009. Survey effort was distributed over six general survey periods. The six survey periods and regions covered during each period were as follows:

• Survey Period 1 (May 21–June 1): North and South of Courtenay, Qualicum‐Parksville area, Cowichan Valley, Shawnigan‐Malahat area, , Greater Victoria. • Survey Period 2 (June 13–16): North and South of Courtenay, Cowichan Valley, Nanaimo‐ Ladysmith area. • Survey Period 3 (July 2–3): Greater Victoria. • Survey Period 4 (July 22–24): Nanaimo‐Ladysmith area, Shawnigan‐Malahat area. • Survey Period 5 (July 31–Aug 1): Greater Victoria. • Survey Period 6 (Aug 26): Cowichan Valley.

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Figure 1 shows the relationship between survey periods and the flight seasons of rare butterflies.

Figure 1. Chart showing timing of six general survey periods in relation to flight seasons of rare other butterflies on southeastern Vancouver Island.

April May June July August September October Taylor's Checkerspot (S. Isld.) (Denman) Moss' Elfin Propertius Duskywing Western Pine Elfin Vancouver Island Ringlet (first brood) (second brood) Blackmore's Blue (low elev.) (high elev.) Island Marble Chalcedon Checkerspot Johnson's Hairstreak Island Blue Dun Skipper Bremner's Fritillary Common Wood-nymph

Period 1 Period 3 (May 21-June 1) (July 2-3) Period 6 (Aug 26) Period 2 Period 4 (June 13-16) (July 22-24) Period 5 (July 31-Aug 1)

Table 4 summarizes the distribution of survey effort (distance travelled and time spent conducting transects by foot and by car) over the six survey periods. Almost 50% of the effort was expended during the first survey period (May 21–June 1) coinciding with the flight seasons of Taylor’s Checkerspot and Vancouver Island Ringlet.

Table 4. Summary of distances covered and time spent surveying by survey period (2009).

Distance (km) Time (hours) Survey Period By foot By car Total % of total By foot By car Total % of total 1 May 21‐June 1 170.1 0.0 170.1 45.5% 48.1 0.0 48.1 47.5% 2 June 13‐16 31.1 0.0 31.1 8.3% 14.7 0.0 14.7 14.5% 3 July 2‐3 22.1 15.2 37.3 10.0% 10.8 0.7 11.5 11.4% 4 July 22‐24 7.5 0.0 7.5 2.0% 2.4 0.0 2.4 2.4% 5 July 31‐Aug 1 33.9 49.0 83.0 22.2% 14.0 4.4 18.2 18.0% 6 Aug 26 14.5 30.8 45.3 12.1% 4.3 2.1 6.4 6.3% Grand Total 279.2 95.0 374.2 100.0% 94.3 7.2 101.5 100.0%

Appendix 2 provides a summary of transect by date, length of time, and observer. Appendix 3 provides a map showing the location of wandering transects.

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Summary of Butterfly Observations. A total of 1,933 butterfly observations were mapped during the survey encompassing 27 unique taxa (see Fig. 2 for examples). No Taylor’s Checkerspot were encountered during the surveys. This includes three surveys (May 21, May 24, May 28) of the utility right‐of‐way site north of Buckley Bay where a single checkerspot was observed in 2008 (Fig. 3b).

Of the four additional rare butterfly species targeted, only Vancouver Island Ringlet was observed (Fig. 2a). Three of the six occupied sites have previous occurrence records with the B.C. Conservation Data Centre: Rithet’s Bog (in Saanich), Florence Lake (in Langford), and West of Cobble Hill (along Thain Rd, east of quarry). Three sites, all in the Cowichan Valley, were new occurrences: a utility right‐of‐way east of Highway 1 at Stratfords Crossing (north of North Cowichan Municipal Hall), a utility right‐of‐way crossing with Highway 18 three km east of Hillcrest (at Tansor Rd), and a utility right‐of‐way crossing with Highway 18 two km west of Hillcrest (at Inwood Creek Estates). In total, 123 observations of Vancouver Island Ringlet were recorded across the six sites (Table 5).

Table 5. Locations and numbers of Vancouver Island Ringlet observations made during the 2009 surveys.

Location Habitat No. of observations Florence Lake, Langford Wet meadow adjacent to lake 43 (May 30) Rithet’s Bog, Saanich Wet meadow adjacent to bog 60 (May 31) West of Cobble Hill (along Thain Rd, east of Utility right‐of‐way 2 (May 27) quarry) Stratsfords Crossing, east of Highway 1 Utility right‐of‐way 3 (May 29) (north of North Cowichan Municipal Hall) Three km east of Hillcrest along Highway 18 Utility right‐of‐way 1 (May 29) (at Tansor Rd) Two km west of Hillcrest along Highway 18 Utility right‐of‐way 11 (May 29) (at Inwood Creek Estates) 3 (June 15) Total number of observations 123 (May 27–June 15)

Appendix 4 lists the species recorded and the number of observations of each species. The most abundant five butterflies, based on total number of visual observations, were Western Spring Azure (Celastrina echo) (551; 28.5% of observations), Mylitta Crescent (Phyciodes mylitta) (303; 15.7%), Hydaspe Fritillary (Speyeria hydaspe) (133; 6.9%), Vancouver Island Ringlet (Coenonympha tullia insulana) (123; 6.4%), and Cabbage White (Pieris rapae) (121; 6.3%). Appendix 5 provides a summary of butterfly observations by region and Appendix 6 provides a map showing the overall distribution of butterfly observations with selected species highlighted.

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a b

c d

e f

Figure 2. Photos of butterflies observed during the 2009 surveys: (a) Vancouver Island Ringlet (Coenonympha tullia insulana) west of Hillcrest in the Cowichan Valley; (b) Propertius Duskywing (Erynnis propertius) at Mount Maxwell, Salt Spring Island; (c) Cedar Hairstreak (Mitoura rosneri) at Burgoyne Bay, Salt Spring Island; (d) Hydaspe Fritillary (Speyeria hydaspe) near Blackjack Ridge, west of Nanaimo; (e) Margined White (Pieris marginalis) near Paldi in the Cowichan Valley, and (f) Grey Hairstreak (Strymon melinus atrofasciatus) at Shawnigan Lake. Photos by Patrick Lilley, May–June 2009.

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Suitable Habitat for Taylor’s Checkerspot on Southeastern Vancouver Island. Although open habitats are common on southeastern Vancouver Island, suitable habitats with larval host plants for Taylor’s Checkerspot were infrequent. The most promising habitats were generally in moist utility rights‐of‐way and clearcuts, similar to the known population on Denman Island (Fig. 3a) and the powerline site north of Buckley Bay where an adult was observed in 2008 (Fig. 3b). Such wetter sites with disturbance often had Veronica scutellata present. Plantago lanceolata was frequently encountered along disturbed roadsides. However, in many utility rights‐of‐way, such as the one southwest of Mill Bay where Taylor’s Checkerspot was found historically, dense vegetation with Scotch broom and other shrubs has overtaken herbaceous cover (Fig. 3c) and habitat is generally unsuitable for Taylor’s Checkerspot. Clearcuts are often too dry for host plant populations (Fig. 3d). Garry oak meadows/coastal bluffs (Fig. 3e) and weedy fields (Fig. 3f) were also habitat types surveyed. Many recent clearcuts in the Black Creek area north of Courtenay have wetland areas which support Veronica species. There are no historic records of Taylor’s Checkerspot from this area, but suitable recovery habitat is present.

Additional Butterfly Species of Conservation Concern. Two other species of butterfly tracked by the B.C. Conservation Data Centre were observed during the surveys: Propertius Duskywing (Erynnis propertius; Fig. 2b) and Common Wood‐nymph, incana subspecies (Cercyonis pegala incana).

Propertius Duskywing is blue‐listed (S2S3) and, on southeastern Vancouver Island, is generally associated with Garry oak stands with an undisturbed understory. The larval food plant in B.C. is Garry oak. Fifty‐one observations of Propertius Duskywing were made across eight sites between May 24 and June 1, including Nanoose Hill (north of Nanaimo), Florence Lake (in Langford), Maple Mountain (Cowichan Valley), Mount Tzouhalem (Cowichan Valley), Florence Lake (in Langford), and Mount Tuam, Mount Maxwell, and Burgoyne Bay on Salt Spring Island. All sites have significant stands of Garry oak trees nearby.

Common Wood‐nymph is also blue‐listed (S2) and is associated with open Douglas‐fir forest. Larval food plants in B.C. are probably grasses. Nineteen observations of Common Wood‐nymph were made at four sites between July 22 and August 26, including Copley Mountain (west of Nanaimo), Blackjack Ridge (west of Nanaimo), Big Sicker Mountain (north of Duncan), and Mount Richards (Cowichan Valley). All sites were open Douglas‐fir forest with significant forest openings, either natural and due to logging activity.

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a b

c d

e f

Figure 3. Representative photographs of survey sites for Taylor’s Checkerspot and other butterfy species at risk: (a) Seasonally wet area in recent clearcut on Denman Island (known habitat for Taylor’s Checkerspot); (b) Wet ruts with Veronica scutellata in utility right‐of‐way north of Buckley Bay (single Taylor’s Checkerspot observed here in 2008); (c) Utility right‐of‐way invaded by Scotch broom southwest of Mill Bay where Taylor’s Checkerspot was found in 1989; (d) Recent dry clearcut north of Courtenay (e) Garry oak meadow/coastal bluff on Maple Mountain; and (f) Semi‐maintained pasture area in Cowichan Valley. Photos a, b, and d by Nick Page, May 2009; photos c, e, and f by Patrick Lilley, May 2009.

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Recommendations for Future Surveys. Surveys for Taylor’s Checkerspot and other butterfly species at risk in 2009 were widespread and covered a range of potential habitats on southeastern Vancouver Island. The following is recommended for surveys in future years:

1. Surveys of potential Taylor’s Checkerspot habitat south of Nanaimo should occur between mid‐ April and late‐May. Based on historical records for Taylor's Checkerspot, the peak of the flight season for south island populations likely occurred in early May. Based on the flight period of the population on Denman Island, the likely flight period for other potential north island populations is from May 15 to June 15. Surveys should be timed to reflect these flight periods.

2. Sites found to have adequate larval host plant and adult nectar plant populations should be revisited in subsequent years. One year of surveys is insufficient to confirm absence of the species; multi‐year surveys are important to ensure a population wasn't missed. In addition, other butterfly species at risk could also be recorded from the area. The following sites are considered high priority for additional surveys for Taylor’s Checkerspot based on the quality of the habitat present: • Clearcuts (south of Highway 19) and the utility right‐of‐way (north of Highway 19) east of Memorial Ave and south of Qualicum Beach; • Sites north of Buckley Bay (east of Highway 19) including the utility right‐of‐way site where a single Taylor’s Checkerspot butterfly was observed in 2008; and • Clearcut areas north of Courtenay (Macauley Rd area near Black Creek).

3. Sites identified but either not surveyed or not adequately surveyed for Taylor’s Checkerspot due to timing or other factors include: • Copley Mountain, east of Nanaimo; • Timberwest private forest land holdings east of Nanaimo, including Blackjack Ridge and the Nanaimo River valley; • Timberwest private forest land holdings west of Shawnigan Lake; • District of North Cowichan forest lands, particularly Mount Prevost, Mount Sicker, Mount Tzouhalem, and Mount Richards; • Unsurveyed areas of south Denman Island (to see whether the population on Denman Island has expanded); and • Texada Island and Lasqueti Island.

4. Given the limited geographic range and threats to the coastal Douglas‐fir biogeoclimatic zone, butterfly surveys are important for guiding conservation efforts for individual species and for the ecosystem as a whole. Because distribution and habitat information is still limited for many of the butterfly species at risk in this ecosystem, surveys should continue to be given high priority in conservation planning and species recovery efforts. Surveys for other butterfly species at risk, such as Vancouver Island Ringlet, Island Marble, Island Blue, and Bremner’s Fritillary, should continue to be undertaken in historic and potential habitat during their respective flight periods, with particular focus on areas north of Duncan to Port McNeil. These areas have not been well‐ surveyed for butterflies.

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6. REFERENCES

Baron. N., and F. Backhouse. 1999. Rare Butterflies of Southeastern Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands (brochure). Victoria: Ministry of Environment, Lands, and Parks. 6 pp.

COSEWIC. 2000. Status Report on Taylor's Checkerspot Euphydryas editha taylori (Edwards) (: ) in British Columbia. Report prepared for the Committee on the Status of Wildlife in Canada, Ottawa, ON. 9 pp.

Ehrlich, P. R., and I. Hanski, eds. 2004. On the wings of Checkerspots: a model system for population biology. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Garry Oak Invertebrates Recovery Implementation Group. 2008. Recovery Strategy for Greenish Blue (Plebejus saepioles insulanus) in British Columbia. Posted at http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/wld/documents/recovery/rcvrystrat/plebejus_saep_ins_rcvry_strat_010807. pdf. Accessed November 20, 2009.

Guppy, C. 2003. Island Blue (Plebejus saepiolus insulanus): Inventory of the Mountains of southern Vancouver Island. Prepared for the B.C. Ministry of Water, Land, and Air Protection. 14 pp. + appendices.

Guppy, C., and J. Shepard. 2001. Butterflies of British Columbia. Vancouver: UBC Press and the Royal BC Museum.

Lilley, P., and N. Page. 2009. Southeastern Vancouver Island Field Atlas for Surveys of Taylor’s Checkerspot and Other Butterflies: Volumes 1‐3. Prepared for the B.C. Ministry of Environment.

Miskelly, J., and A. Potter. 2009. Surveys for Island Marble (Euchloe ausonides insulanus) in San Juan County, , 2007. Prepared for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. 26 pp.

Murphy, D.D., A.E. Launer, & P.R. Ehrlich. 1983. The role of adult feeding in egg production and population dynamics of the checkerspot butterfly, Euphydryas editha. Oecologia 56: 257‐263.

Page, N., J. Heron, C. Webb, and N. Kroeker. 2007. Survey of Taylor’s Checkerspot and Other Butterflies on Denman and Hornby Islands (2007). Prepared for the B.C. Ministry of Environment. 11 pp. + appendices.

Page, N., P. Lilley, J. Heron, and N. Kroeker. 2008. Distribution and Habitat Characteristics of Taylor’s Checkerspot on Denman Island and Adjacent Areas of Vancouver Island (2008). Prepared for B.C. Ministry of Environment and Parks Canada. 32 pp. + appendices.

Parks Canada Agency. 2006. Recovery Strategy for Multi‐species at Risk in Maritime Meadows Associated with Garry Oak Ecosystems in Canada. In Species at Risk Act Recovery Strategy Series. Ottawa: Parks Canada Agency. 93 pp.

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Severns, P. M., and A. D. Warren. 2008. Selectively eliminating and conserving exotic plants to save an endangered butterfly from local extinction. Conservation 11(6): 476‐483.

7. APPENDICES

Appendix 1 Examples of landowner contact letters Appendix 2 Transect summary Appendix 3 Map of 2009 survey transects Appendix 4 Summary of butterfly species observed by survey period Appendix 5 Summary of butterfly species observed by region Appendix 6 Map of 2009 butterfly observations with selected species highlighted Appendix 7 Survey and butterfly photos (digital files only) Appendix 8 GIS shapefiles for transects and butterfly observations (digital files only)

Surveys for Taylor’s Checkerspot and Other Butterfly Species at Risk on Southeastern Vancouver Island (2009) 16

Raincoast Applied Ecology

Appendix 1 Examples of landowner contact letters

Surveys for Taylor’s Checkerspot and Other Butterfly Species at Risk on Southeastern Vancouver Island (2009)

Raincoast Applied Ecology Raincoast Applied Ecology Tel: 604-742-9890 #102 – 1661 West 2nd Avenue Fax: 604-742-1339 Vancouver, B.C. Email: [email protected] V6J 1H3 Website: www.raincoastappliedecology.ca

July 15, 2009

The District of North Cowichan Attn: Mayor and Council Box 278 Duncan BC V9L 3X4

Dear Mayor and Council:

Raincoast Applied Ecology has been retained by B.C. Ministry of Environment to complete surveys for butterflies on southeastern Vancouver Island, including several rare and endangered species. In August, we will be conducting surveys looking specifically for Bremner’s Fritillary (Speyeria zerene bremnerii), a species known to have occurred historically in and around the Cowichan Valley.

We request permission to survey butterflies within the North Cowichan Municipal Forest Reserve from August 1–September 15, 2009. Sites of interest include open habitats on hilltops on Maple Mountain, Mount Tzouhalem, Mount Richards, Mount Prevost, and Mount Sicker. We will provide the results of the survey to the District of North Cowichan.

Raincoast Applied Ecology carries $2,000,000 in Commercial General Liability insurance and $1,000,000 (per annum) in Professional Liability insurance. It also has current WCB coverage.

If you have any questions about the project or require more information, please contact me at 604-742-9890 or by email at [email protected]. If you also wish to contact B.C. Ministry of Environment staff overseeing the surveys, please call Jennifer Heron, Invertebrates Specialist at 604-222-6759 or Alec Dale, Manager, Wildlife Science Section at 250-387-1577.

Sincerely,

RAINCOAST APPLIED ECOLOGY

Patrick Lilley, R.P.Bio.

cc: Jennifer Heron, B.C. Ministry of Environment Raincoast Applied Ecology Tel: 604-742-9890 #102 – 1661 West 2nd Avenue Fax: 604-742-1339 Vancouver, B.C. Email: [email protected] V6J 1H3 Website: www.raincoastappliedecology.ca

July 20, 2009

Timberwest Forest Corp. Attn: Dave Lindsay, Fish & Wildlife Specialist No. 3, 4890 Rutherford Road Nanaimo, B.C. V9T 4Z4

Dear Mr. Lindsay:

Raincoast Applied Ecology has been retained by B.C. Ministry of Environment to complete surveys for butterflies on southeastern Vancouver Island, including several rare and endangered species. In late July and August, we will be conducting surveys looking specifically for Bremner’s Fritillary (Speyeria zerene bremnerii), a species known to have occurred historically on southeastern Vancouver Island.

We would like to request permission to survey butterflies at several sites within TimberWest’s privately managed forest land holdings from July 22–August 31, 2009. Potential sites to be surveyed include the following hilltop and open habitats:

1) Height-of-land west of Brannen Lake (may be on Brannen Lake Woodlot, managed by Vancouver Island University); 2) Lands around summit of Mount Benson; 3) Blackjack Ridge and area extending south to Nanaimo Lakes Rd; 4) Summit of Mount Hayes and surrounding lands (west of Ladysmith); 5) Mount Hall-Mount Brenton-Coronation Mountain area; 6) West side of Mount Prevost and Mount Sicker; and 7) Lands east and southeast of Shawnigan Lake, south of Malahat Mountain.

Upon completion of the survey, we will provide the results to TimberWest.

Raincoast Applied Ecology carries $2,000,000 in Commercial General Liability insurance and $1,000,000 (per annum) in Professional Liability insurance. It also has current WCB coverage.

2

If you have any questions about the project or require more information, please contact me at 604-742-9890 or by email at [email protected]. If you also wish to contact B.C. Ministry of Environment staff overseeing the surveys, please call Jennifer Heron, Invertebrates Specialist at 604-222-6759 or Alec Dale, Manager, Wildlife Science Section at 250-387-1577.

Sincerely,

RAINCOAST APPLIED ECOLOGY

Patrick Lilley, R.P.Bio. cc: Jennifer Heron, B.C. Ministry of Environment Surveys for Taylor's Checkerspot and Other Rare Butterflies on Southeastern Vancouver Island (2009) Raincoast Applied Ecology

APPENDIX 2 Transect summary

Transect Location Date Observer Start End Minutes Temp Weather Type Length m/min # #/km #/hr

Survey Period 1: May 21 ‐ June 1 NP09‐01 Memorial Road ‐ South (Qualicum) May 21, 2009 N. Page 11:13 13:23 132 15 sunny, light breeze Foot 7097 53.8 88 12.4 40.0 NP09‐02 Memorial Road ‐ North (Qualicum) May 21, 2009 N. Page 13:25 13:47 22 17 sunny, breezy Foot 990 45.0 11 11.1 30.0 NP09‐03 Powerline north of Page Rd (Qualicum) May 21, 2009 N. Page 14:04 15:15 71 17 sunny, light breeze Foot 4667 65.7 53 11.4 44.8 NP09‐04 Buckley Bay ‐ TCB Site (powerline) May 21, 2009 N. Page 13:54 16:49 55 19 sunny Foot 3879 70.5 63 16.2 68.7 NP09‐05 Farnham Rd (Headquarters area, Courtenay) May 22, 2009 N. Page 10:02 10:14 12 14 sunny, no wind Foot 500 41.7 2 4.0 10.0 NP09‐06 Hamm Rd ‐ Powerline (north) May 22, 2009 N. Page 10:33 12:52 139 17 sunny, no wind Foot 6708 48.3 61 9.1 26.3 NP09‐07 Macauley Rd ‐ Powerline and Clearcut May 22, 2009 N. Page 14:10 14:38 28 19 sunny, no wind Foot 1454 51.9 0 0.0 0.0 NP09‐07x Macauley Rd (Tinney Property) May 22, 2009 N. Page 13:30 13:47 17 19 sunny, no wind Foot 307 18.1 22 71.7 77.6 NP09‐08 Macauley Rd ‐ Clearcut May 22, 2009 N. Page 14:56 XXX 38 19 sunny Foot 4597 121.0 11 2.4 17.4 NP09‐10 Hamm Rd ‐ Powerline (south clearcut) May 23, 2009 N. Page 12:39 13:35 56 18 sunny, light breeze Foot 2753 49.2 21 7.6 22.5 NP09‐11 Hamm Rd ‐ Powerline (south) May 23, 2009 N. Page 13:37 14:24 37 20 sunny, light breeze Foot 3118 84.3 15 4.8 24.3 NP09‐12 Hamm Rd ‐ Powerline (north) May 23, 2009 N. Page 14:25 15:48 83 20 sunny, light breeze Foot 4231 51.0 22 5.2 15.9 NP09‐13 Farnham Rd ‐ Powerline North May 23, 2009 N. Page 16:17 16:39 22 22 sunny, light breeze Foot 1543 70.1 12 7.8 32.7 NP09‐14 VanWest Rd ‐ Sage Hills Site May 24, 2009 N. Page 9:23 9:54 31 14 sunny, vy light breeze Foot 1896 61.2 8 4.2 15.5 NP09‐15 Buckley Bay ‐ TCB Site (powerline) May 24, 2009 N. Page 10:03 10:39 36 15 sunny, light breeze Foot 1485 41.3 21 14.1 35.0 NP09‐16 Cook Creek Rd ‐ Powerline (south) May 24, 2009 N. Page 11:14 11:59 45 15 sunny, light breeze Foot 2284 50.8 13 5.7 17.3 NP09‐17 Powerline (view of Helliwell) May 24, 2009 N. Page 12:10 12:37 27 16 sunny, light breeze Foot 2022 74.9 6 3.0 13.3 NP09‐18 Spider Lake ‐ Powerline (south) May 24, 2009 N. Page 12:55 13:34 39 18 sunny, light breeze Foot 2800 71.8 24 8.6 36.9 NP09‐19 Nanoose Hill (private) May 24, 2009 N. Page 14:54 15:09 15 20 sunny, light breeze Foot 662 44.1 4 6.0 16.0 NP09‐20 Nanoose ‐ Qualicum WMA May 24, 2009 N. Page 15:18 15:54 36 21 sunny, no wind Foot 2885 80.1 2 0.7 3.3 NP09‐21 Nanoose ‐ Sundew Powerline May 24, 2009 N. Page 16:10 16:44 34 21 sunny, vy light breeze Foot 2346 69.0 11 4.7 19.4 PL09‐01 Eves Provincial Park May 27, 2009 P. Lilley / D. Lilley 9:25 9:53 28 sunny, few clouds, no wind to breezy Foot 547 19.5 1 1.8 2.1 PL09‐02 Powerline 3 km SW of Mill Bay May 27, 2009 P. Lilley / D. Lilley 10:53 13:45 172 sunny, few clouds, no wind to breezy Foot 6540 38.0 146 22.3 50.9 PL09‐03 Powerline S of Northgate Rd May 27, 2009 P. Lilley / D. Lilley 14:03 14:13 10 sunny, few clouds, no wind to breezy Foot 314 31.4 4 12.7 24.0 PL09‐04 Powerline N of Thain Rd May 27, 2009 P. Lilley / D. Lilley 14:27 15:30 77 sunny, few clouds, no wind to breezy Foot 1886 24.5 10 5.3 7.8 PL09‐05 Recent clearcut off Mountain Rd May 27, 2009 P. Lilley / D. Lilley 16:18 16:38 20 sunny, few clouds, no wind to breezy Foot 888 44.4 4 4.5 12.0 NP09‐22 Memorial Rd ‐ Southwest Clearcut May 28, 2009 N. Page 11:14 12:04 50 17 sunny, breezy Foot 2858 57.2 24 8.4 28.8 NP09‐23 Small Clearcut ‐ Melrose Mainline (Qualicum) May 28, 2009 N. Page 12:23 12:34 11 19 sunny, vy light breeze Foot 446 40.5 1 2.2 5.5 NP09‐24 Melrose ‐ Powerline South May 28, 2009 N. Page 12:37 13:13 36 19 sunny, light breeze Foot 3002 83.4 12 4.0 20.0 NP09‐25 Small Meadow ‐ Qualicum ML May 28, 2009 N. Page 13:17 1:21 4 19 sunny, light breeze Foot 330 82.5 0 0.0 0.0 NP09‐26 Bowser Powerline (west) May 28, 2009 N. Page 13:48 14:20 32 20 sunny, light breeze Foot 1931 60.3 7 3.6 13.1 NP09‐27 Cook Ck ML ‐ Clearcut May 28, 2009 N. Page 14:48 15:02 14 20 sunny, breezy Foot 1039 74.2 0 0.0 0.0 NP09‐28 Buckley Bay ‐ TCB Site (powerline) May 28, 2009 N. Page 15:22 16:07 45 21 sunny, hazy, breezy Foot 2479 55.1 24 9.7 32.0 NP09‐29 Williams Beach Rd ‐ Merville May 28, 2009 N. Page 16:53 17:38 45 21 sunny, no wind Foot 3634 80.8 11 3.0 14.7 PL09‐06 Maple Mountain May 28, 2009 P. Lilley 9:17 13:26 249 sunny and clear, breezy Foot 8998 36.1 76 8.4 18.3 PL09‐07 End of Southview Trc at base of Maple Mtn May 28, 2009 P. Lilley 13:48 14:09 21 sunny and clear, breezy Foot 847 40.3 8 9.4 22.9 PL09‐08 Powerline at S end of Osborne Bay Rd May 28, 2009 P. Lilley 14:16 14:31 15 sunny and clear, breezy Foot 584 38.9 0 0.0 0.0 PL09‐09 Mount Tzouhalem Ecological Reserve May 28, 2009 P. Lilley 15:08 16:40 92 sunny and clear, breezy Foot 3086 33.5 55 17.8 35.9 NP09‐30 Farnham Rd Connector ‐ Powerline (south) May 29, 2009 N. Page / D. 9:57 11:33 96 18 sunny, light breeze Foot 3995 41.6 36 9.0 22.5 NP09‐31 Macauley (Turnbull) ‐ Powerline (south) May 29, 2009 N. Page / D. 12:09 12:50 41 21 sunny, light breeze Foot 1715 41.8 22 12.8 32.2 NP09‐32 Hamm Rd Powerline (north) May 29, 2009 N. Page / D. 13:08 14:49 101 22 sunny, light breeze Foot 5866 58.1 61 10.4 36.2 PL09‐10 Powerline along Hwy 18 corridor at Inwood Creek Estates May 29, 2009 P. Lilley 9:10 9:57 47 sunny and clear, warm early, slight breeze Foot 1155 24.6 37 32.0 47.2 PL09‐11 Recent clearcut below Stoltz Meadows off River Bottom Rd May 29, 2009 P. Lilley 10:19 10:31 12 sunny and clear, warm early, slight breeze Foot 832 69.3 6 7.2 30.0 PL09‐12 Stolze Road Quarry May 29, 2009 P. Lilley 10:40 10:45 5 sunny and clear, warm early, slight breeze Foot 27 5.4 0 0.0 0.0 PL09‐13 Trans‐Canada Trail at Paldi May 29, 2009 P. Lilley 10:48 11:12 24 sunny and clear, warm early, slight breeze Foot 955 39.8 17 17.8 42.5 PL09‐14 Powerline E of substation at Hillcrest Rd May 29, 2009 P. Lilley 11:21 11:34 13 sunny and clear, warm early, slight breeze Foot 536 41.2 9 16.8 41.5 PL09‐15 Powerline crossing on Hwy 18 west of Drinkwater Rd/east of Hansor Rd May 29, 2009 P. Lilley 11:40 11:47 7 sunny and clear, warm early, slight breeze Foot 218 31.1 3 13.8 25.7 PL09‐16a North bluff at base of Mount Sicker along Hwy 1 May 29, 2009 P. Lilley 12:12 12:52 40 sunny and clear, warm early, slight breeze Foot 1392 34.8 7 5.0 10.5 PL09‐16b South bluff at base of Mount Sicker along Hwy 1 May 29, 2009 P. Lilley 13:02 13:44 42 sunny and clear, warm early, slight breeze Foot 990 23.6 4 4.0 5.7 PL09‐17 Powerline N of North Cowichan Municipal Hall May 29, 2009 P. Lilley 13:53 14:30 37 sunny and clear, warm early, slight breeze Foot 1839 49.7 14 7.6 22.7 PL09‐18 Summit of Mount Prevost (Salt Spring Island) May 29, 2009 P. Lilley 14:37 16:13 96 sunny and clear, warm early, slight breeze Foot/car 17213 179.3 30 1.7 18.8 NP09‐33 Savorry Rd Ringlet Site (Colwood) May 30, 2009 N. Page 14:08 14:41 33 23 sunny, breezy Foot 1950 59.1 45 23.1 81.8 NP09‐34 Summit Park (Victoria) May 30, 2009 N. Page 16:05 16:49 44 21 sunny, light breeze Foot 912 20.7 5 5.5 6.8 NP09‐35 Beacon Hill Park (Victoria) May 30, 2009 N. Page 17:02 18:05 63 23 sunny, no wind Foot 4241 67.3 1 0.2 1.0

APPENDIX 2 Transect summary Page 1 of 3 APPENDIX 2 (cont'd) Transect summary

Transect Location Date Observer Start End Minutes Temp Weather Type Length m/min # #/km #/hr

Survey Period 1: May 21 ‐ June 1 (cont'd) NP09‐36 Moss Rock Park (Victoria) May 30, 2009 N. Page 18:11 18:28 17 23 hazy sun, no wind Foot 693 40.8 1 1.4 3.5 NP09‐37 Banfield Park (Victoria) May 31, 2009 N. Page 9:11 9:49 38 18 sunny, no wind Foot 2345 61.7 1 0.4 1.6 NP09‐38 Summit Park (Victoria) May 31, 2009 N. Page 10:10 11:01 51 18 hazy sun, no wind Foot 3914 76.7 8 2.0 9.4 NP09‐39 Unknown Finlayson Park (Victoria) May 31, 2009 N. Page 11:07 11:12 5 19 sunny, no wind Foot 372 74.4 0 0.0 0.0 NP09‐40 Beacon Hill Park (Victoria) May 31, 2009 N. Page 12:06 13:59 113 18 hazy sun, no wind Foot 6910 61.2 8 1.2 4.2 NP09‐41 Moss Rock Park (Victoria) May 31, 2009 N. Page 14:08 14:47 39 20 sunny, light breeze Foot 1408 36.1 14 9.9 21.5 NP09‐42 Uplands Park (Oak Bay) May 31, 2009 N. Page 15:03 15:26 23 21 sunny, no wind Foot 1944 84.5 2 1.0 5.2 NP09‐43 Rithets Bog (Saanich) May 31, 2009 N. Page 15:56 16:43 47 23 hazy sun, light breeze Foot 2923 62.2 68 23.3 86.8 PL09‐19 Summit of Mount Maxwell (Salt Spring Island) May 31, 2009 P. Lilley / K. Lilley 9:44 10:28 46 sunny and clear, little/no breeze Foot 880 19.1 5 5.7 6.5 PL09‐20 Summit of Mount Tuam (Salt Spring Island) May 31, 2009 P. Lilley / K. Lilley 14:00 16:12 132 sunny and clear, little/no breeze Foot 2166 16.4 3 1.4 1.4 PL09‐21 Burgoyne Bay Provincial Park (Salt Spring Island) June 1, 2009 P. Lilley / K. Lilley 10:14 11:40 86 sunny and clear, little/no breeze Foot 3135 36.5 27 8.6 18.8 3194 19.1 168159 1287 Survey Period 2: June 13 ‐ 16 NP09‐44 Buckley Bay ‐ TCB Site (powerline) June 13, 2009 N. Page 1:21 1:38 17 24 sunny, light breeze Foot 1866 109.8 2 1.1 7.1 NP09‐47 Buckley Bay (Island Timberlands) upper clearcut June 14, 2009 N. Page / J. Page 3:02 3:23 21 22 sunny, breezy Foot 1706 81.2 41 24.0 117.1 NP09‐48 Buckley Bay (Island Timberlands) June 14, 2009 N. Page / J. Page 3:56 4:08 12 22 sunny, breezy Foot 1113 92.8 1 0.9 5.0 NP09‐49 Buckley Bay (Island Timberlands) lower clearcut June 14, 2009 N. Page / J. Page 4:18 4:29 11 23 sunny, no wind Foot 342 31.1 13 38.0 70.9 PL09‐22 Powerline N of North Cowichan Municipal Hall June 15, 2009 P. Lilley 9:58 11:47 109 overcast with sunny periods, clearing, no wind Foot 5112 46.9 13 2.5 7.2 PL09‐23 Off North Rd below Averill Creek Vineyard June 15, 2009 P. Lilley 12:02 12:19 17 overcast with sunny periods, clearing, no wind Foot 642 37.8 1 1.6 3.5 PL09‐24 Powerline crossing on Hwy 18 west of Drinkwater Rd/east of Hansor Rd June 15, 2009 P. Lilley 12:32 13:20 48 overcast with sunny periods, clearing, no wind Foot 1185 24.7 6 5.1 7.5 PL09‐25 Powerline along Hwy 18 corridor at Inwood Creek Estates June 15, 2009 P. Lilley 13:27 15:25 118 overcast with sunny periods, clearing, no wind Foot 5134 43.5 30 5.8 15.3 PL09‐26 Mayo Dam off Mayo Rd June 15, 2009 P. Lilley 15:53 15:59 6 overcast with sunny periods, clearing, no wind Foot 324 54.0 1 3.1 10.0 PL09‐27 Trans‐Canada Trail at Skutz Falls Rd June 15, 2009 P. Lilley 16:05 16:23 18 overcast with sunny periods, clearing, no wind Foot 1204 66.9 0 0.0 0.0 PL09‐28 Clearcut hillside N of Hwy 18 June 15, 2009 P. Lilley 16:37 16:53 16 overcast with sunny periods, clearing, no wind Foot 839 52.4 0 0.0 0.0 PL09‐29 Powerline along Hwy 18 corridor at Inwood Creek Estates June 15, 2009 P. Lilley 17:00 17:13 13 overcast with sunny periods, clearing, no wind Foot 653 50.2 3 4.6 13.8 PL09‐30 Crofton Rd near River Estuary June 16, 2009 P. Lilley 9:29 9:39 10 sunny with high clouds, no breeze Foot 335 33.5 0 0.0 0.0 PL09‐31 Railway Tracks through Westholme June 16, 2009 P. Lilley 9:55 10:22 27 sun/overcast, no breeze Foot 1336 49.5 1 0.7 2.2 PL09‐32 Powerline S of June 16, 2009 P. Lilley 10:42 11:11 29 sun/overcast, slight breeze Foot 1459 50.3 0 0.0 0.0 PL09‐33 Yellow Point Bog Ecological Reserve June 16, 2009 P. Lilley 12:26 12:51 25 overcast, cooling, slight breeze Foot 1383 55.3 0 0.0 0.0 PL09‐34 Nanaimo River Estuary June 16, 2009 P. Lilley 13:16 15:30 134 overcast but bright, breezy Foot 4315 32.2 71 16.5 31.8 631 22.8 28948 183 Survey Period 3: July 2‐3 NP09‐50 Summit Park (Victoria) July 2, 2009 N. Page 10:09 11:14 65 22 sunny, breezy Foot 2933 45.1 17 5.8 15.7 NP09‐51 Topaz Park (Victoria) July 2, 2009 N. Page 11:21 11:27 6 22 sunny, breezy Foot 335 55.8 2 6.0 20.0 NP09‐52 Banfield Park (Victoria) July 2, 2009 N. Page 12:05 12:40 35 24 sunny, breezy Foot 2068 59.1 4 1.9 6.9 NP09‐53 Beacon Hill Park (Victoria) July 2, 2009 N. Page 13:34 15:42 68 24 sunny, light breeze Foot 7645 112.4 24 3.1 21.2 NP09‐54 Moss Rock Park (Victoria) July 2, 2009 N. Page 16:14 16:41 27 24 sunny, light breeze Foot 1195 44.3 3 2.5 6.7 NP09‐55 Summit Park (Victoria) July 3, 2009 N. Page 9:59 10:49 50 22 sunny, no wind Foot 2675 53.5 10 3.7 12.0 NP09‐56 Banfield Park (Victoria) July 3, 2009 N. Page 11:13 11:52 39 23 sunny, very light breeze Foot 2195 56.3 17 7.7 26.2 NP09‐57 Beacon Hill Park (Victoria) July 3, 2009 N. Page 12:49 14:44 115 21 sunny, very light breeze Foot 6579 57.2 17 2.6 8.9 NP09‐58 Moss Rock Park (Victoria) July 3, 2009 N. Page 15:13 15:35 22 22 sunny, light breeze Foot 1089 49.5 0 0.0 0.0 427 22.7 26714 94 Survey Period 4: July 22‐24 PL09‐35 Copley Mountain July 22, 2009 P. Lilley 10:45 13:18 153 sunny and clear, slight breeze Foot 7748 50.6 48 6.2 18.8 PL09‐36 Blackjack Ridge (Timberwest) July 22, 2009 P. Lilley 14:21 17:05 166 sunny and clear Foot/car 11408 68.7 56 4.9 20.2 PL09‐37 Mount Brenton (Timberwest) July 22, 2009 P. Lilley ‐‐‐ slightly overcast, slight breeze ‐ ‐ ‐‐‐‐ PL09‐38 Big Sicker Mountain (Timberwest) July 23, 2009 P. Lilley 9:43 14:43 300 slightly overcast, slight breeze Foot/car 15904 53.0 91 5.7 18.2 PL09‐39 Little Mount Sicker (Timberwest) July 23, 2009 P. Lilley 14:43 16:22 81 slightly overcast, slight breeze Foot/car 20241 249.9 10 0.5 7.4 PL09‐40 Old Baldy Mountain July 24, 2009 P. Lilley 10:57 13:02 125 overcast and warm, no breeze Foot 5060 40.5 18 3.6 8.6 PL09‐41 Stebbings Road Subdivision July 24, 2009 P. Lilley 13:36 14:09 33 overcast and warm, no breeze Foot 1419 43.0 5 3.5 9.1 PL09‐42 West of Spectacle Lake (Timberwest) July 24, 2009 P. Lilley 14:20 15:57 97 overcast and warm, no breeze Foot/car 16728 172.5 31 1.9 19.2 955 78508 259

APPENDIX 2 Transect summary Page 2 of 3 APPENDIX 2 (cont'd) Transect summary

Transect Location Date Observer Start End Minutes Temp Weather Type Length m/min # #/km #/hr

Survey Period 5: July 31‐August 1 NP09‐59 Summit Park (Victoria) July 31, 2009 N. Page 9:58 11:08 70 21 sunny, no wind Foot 3258 46.5 28 8.6 24.0 NP09‐60 Topaz Park (Victoria) July 31, 2009 N. Page 11:13 11:18 5 22 sunny, no wind Foot 249 49.8 2 8.0 24.0 NP09‐61 Banfield Park (Victoria) July 31, 2009 N. Page 11:29 12:08 39 23 sunny, light breeze Foot 2317 59.4 4 1.7 6.2 NP09‐62 Beacon Hill Park (Victoria) July 31, 2009 N. Page 12:38 15:05 147 21 hazy sun, no wind Foot 8164 55.5 27 3.3 11.0 NP09‐63 Moss Rock Park (Victoria) July 31, 2009 N. Page 15:19 15:49 30 19 sunny, light breeze Foot 1343 44.8 1 0.7 2.0 NP09‐64 Beacon Hill Park (Victoria) August 1, 2009 N. Page 10:58 12:09 71 20 sunny, no wind Foot 4300 60.6 12 2.8 10.1 NP09‐65 Moss Rock Park (Victoria) August 1, 2009 N. Page 12:22 12:47 25 18 sunny, light breeze Foot 998 39.9 3 3.0 7.2 NP09‐66 Banfield Park (Victoria) August 1, 2009 N. Page 13:37 14:12 35 20 sunny, light breeze Foot 1885 53.9 7 3.7 12.0 NP09‐67 Summit Park (Victoria) August 1, 2009 N. Page 14:35 15:12 37 22 sunny, no wind Foot 2070 55.9 1 0.5 1.6 459 20.7 24584 85 Survey Period 6: August 26 PL09‐43 Mount Tzouhalem (District of North Cowichan) August 26, 2009 P. Lilley 10:00 12:30 150 sunny with cloudy periods, cool Foot 9133 60.9 1 0.1 0.4 PL09‐44 Maple Mountain (District of North Cowichan) August 26, 2009 P. Lilley 13:07 14:04 57 sunny with cloudy periods, cool Foot/car 6267 109.9 6 1.0 6.3 PL09‐45 Mount Richards (District of North Cowichan) August 26, 2009 P. Lilley 14:04 15:02 58 sunny with cloudy periods, cool Foot/car 9865 170.1 17 1.7 17.6 PL09‐46 Mount Prevost (District of North Cowichan) August 26, 2009 P. Lilley 15:20 17:19 119 sunny with cloudy periods, cool Foot/car 19998 168.1 1 0.1 0.5 384 45263 25 Summary Total survey time (hours) 101.5 Total survey length (km) 374.2 Total # of butterflies 1933 Average # butterflies recorded/km 5.2 Average # butterflies recorded/hr 19.1

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Campbell River ! APPENDIX 3: 2009 survey transects for Taylor's Checkerspot and other rare butterflies on Southeastern Vancouver Island !

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Legend ! 500 m contour line

Transects by survey period ! 1 (May 21-June 1) 2 (June 13-16) 3 (July 2-3) 4 (July 22-24) 5 (July 31-Aug 1) 6 (Aug 26) Victoria 6, Car ! Transects by foot = solid line Tran4s,e cCtsa rby car = dashed line ! ¸ 0 10 20 1, Car Kilometers Surveys for Taylor's Checkerspot and Other Rare Butterflies on Southeastern Vancouver Island (2009) Raincoast Applied Ecology

APPENDIX 4 Summary of butterfly species observed by survey period

Survey Period Common Name May 21‐June 1 June 13‐16 July 2‐3 July 22‐24 July 31‐Aug 1 Aug 26 Grand Total Anglewing sp. 5 5 Anise Swallowtail 10 2 1 7 20 Arctic Skipper 18 18 Blue sp. 7 2 9 Cabbage White 40 3 36 9 33 121 Cedar Hairstreak 5 5 Clodius Apollo 7 25 14 46 Common Wood‐nymph 18 1 19 Elfin sp. 1 1 European Skipper 34 24 58 Fritillary sp. 1 1 2 Grey Hairstreak 6 8 14 Hydaspe Fritillary 24 109 133 Lorquin's Admiral 6 21 16 4 47 Margined White 6 6 Mylitta Crescent 239 7 57 303 Painted Lady 1124 Pale Swallowtail 22 6 28 Pine White 224 Propertius Duskywing 51 51 Purplish copper 142 2 45 Sara's Orangetip 11 11 Satyr Anglewing 1 12 Silvery Blue 61 5 66 Skipper sp. 4 1 5 Swallowtail sp. 1 1 2 Two‐banded Checkered Skipper 27 27 Unknown sp. 2 1 3 Vancouver Island Ringlet 120 3 123 Western Elfin 36 36 Western Meadow Fritillary 56 3 59 Western Spring Azure 538 13 551 Western Tiger Swallowtail 6 7 11 1 25 White sp. 1 1 2 Woodland Skipper 3 20372282 Grand Total 1287 183 94 259 85 25 1933

Summary Total number of taxa 27 Total number of butterflies 1933 Surveys for Taylor's Checkerspot and Other Rare Butterflies on Southeastern Vancouver Island (2009) Raincoast Applied Ecology

APPENDIX 5 Summary of butterfly species observed by region.

Survey Period Region May 21‐June 1 June 13‐16 July 2‐3 July 22‐24 July 31‐Aug 1 Aug 26 Grand Total North of Courtenay 296 296 South of Courtenay 132 57 189 Qualicum‐Parksville 223 223 Nanaimo‐Ladysmith 17 71 104 192 Cowichan 271 55 101 25 452 Shawnigan‐Malahat 160 54 214 Greater Victoria 153 94 85 332 Southern Gulf Islands 35 35 Grand Total 1287 183 94 259 85 25 1933 !

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Campbell River ! APPENDIX 6: 2009 butterfly observations on Southeastern Vancouver Island with selected species highlighted !

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Legend Butterfly species

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!( Western Meadow Fritillary ")(!")(! (! ")*#(! Victoria All other butterflies (!(!(! (!(!(!!(! (! (!(!!( Transects (!(!(!(!(!(!(!(! ! 500 m contour line ¸ 0 10 20 Kilometers