Butterfly Walk and Survey - Whites Hill Reserve

Join us for a guided butterfly walk and survey at Whites Hill Reserve

Overview

Join Brisbane’s Big Butterfly Count (BBBC) and B4C for a guided butterfly survey at Whites Hill Reserve. No experience is required — just curiosity and a willingness to get involved.

The walk will be led by local butterfly expert Cliff Meyer, alongside BBBC Coordinator Jutta Godwin.

This will be our first butterfly survey at Whites Hill Reserve, and we’re excited to discover what species are using this important urban bushland. Butterfly nets will be provided, so you can take part hands-on.

Please come sun-smart: wear protective clothing, closed-in shoes, and bring a reusable water bottle.

About Brisbane’s Big Butterfly Count

Brisbane’s Big Butterfly Count began in the 2020–21 butterfly season. It is an initiative of the Brisbane Catchments Network (BCN) and its member groups, developed as a direct outcome of BCN’s Biodiversity Strategy.

The project aims to:

• engage Brisbane residents of all ages and knowledge levels
• provide learning opportunities about butterflies and their habitats
• collect high-quality local butterfly data to inform conservation

What’s Involved?

Following the success of previous seasons, Brisbane’s Big Butterfly Count is now a regular fixture in Brisbane’s environmental calendar. The project includes:

• Butterfly surveys at multiple sites across Brisbane, representing different habitat types, with each site surveyed three times during the season
• A popular butterfly count, using either the BioCollect app or a paper guide featuring over 30 common local butterflies
• Workshops and ecology walks for participants wanting to build their knowledge of butterflies and moths (Lepidoptera)
• Educational resources for schools, educators and butterfly enthusiasts
• Butterfly plantings, focusing on larval host plants for home gardeners and rehabilitators
• Public displays and events highlighting the importance of butterflies and healthy habitats

All survey and count data are entered into the Atlas of Living Australia.

Who Can Participate?

Everyone!
Brisbane’s Big Butterfly Count is open to people of all ages and experience levels. Whether you’re a seasoned naturalist or completely new to butterflies, you can take part as a citizen scientist.

Why Butterflies?

Around 160 butterfly species have been recorded in the Brisbane region. Butterflies are closely linked to specific plants, making them valuable indicators of environmental health.

As Brisbane continues to grow, butterfly habitat can become fragmented or lost — often alongside the removal of native larval host plants. Brisbane’s Big Butterfly Count helps shine a light on these changes and supports learning about how to:

• protect and restore butterfly habitat
• reintroduce native host plants into gardens and public spaces
• understand the role of butterflies as pollinators and as part of the food chain

Building awareness and appreciation of butterflies supports broader conservation outcomes across our city.

Partners and Supporters

Brisbane’s Big Butterfly Count is an initiative of the Brisbane Catchments Network and is delivered in collaboration with all BCN member groups.

BCN gratefully acknowledges the financial and in-kind support received from many partners. We especially thank Brisbane City Council for funding the inaugural season through an Environment Grant, which laid the foundation for this successful citizen science project. Continued support from Brisbane City Council has ensured the project’s ongoing delivery, with the upcoming season now secured.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION BEFORE YOU REGISTER

• Under 16's to have guardian present and supervising
• This is an outdoor event in a bushland environment
• Please read the safety information in the confirmation email carefully
• We do not accept bookings for more than 5 people. If you have a larger group, please contact us directly to discuss
• Best suited for ages 5 and above but all ages welcome. All children must be supervised.