San Diego County, CA – June 2024

Monday, 6/10/2024

We traveled to Cleveland National Forest in Descanso to look for perhaps the most sought species of the trip, Hermes Copper (Lycaena hermes). This required a hike through scenic oak-dotted grasslands. Checking buckwheat along the hike, we had our first look at a Gorgon Copper (Lycaena gorgon) among a few other butterfly species. The Hermes Coppers (Lycaena hermes) did indeed show with 25 in total noted. Other good butterflies noted in this area included Rural Skipper (Ochlodes Agricola), Gabb’s Checkerspot (Chlosyne gabbii), a few Gold-hunter’s Hairstreaks (Satyrium auretorum), and two more Gorgon Coppers (Lycaena gorgon). 

We ate lunch when we returned to the van, then headed to Descanso Wall Trail, a walking path cutting through classic California chapparal. Here we meandered along the path, checking buckwheat lining both sides of the trail. We noted a few California Hairstreaks (Satyrium californica), a mated pair of Behr’s Metalmarks (Apodemia virgulti) plus a Blainville’s Horned Lizard (Phrynosoma blainvillii) that allowed for photos. We then headed back to El Cajon for dinner and a compilation of the day’s checklist.

Tuesday, 6/11/2024

The day’s itinerary was a trip to the north with multiple stops planned. We first walked a short stretch of Middle Peak Fire Road where blooming coffeeberry was attracting many species of butterflies, most notable being a few Great Coppers (Lycaena xanthoides), Purplish Copper (Lycaena helloides), and two Gold-hunter’s Hairstreaks (Satyrium auretorum). We also noted our first Coronis Fritillaries (Argynnis coronis) of the trip. 

Next we moved onto Lake Cuyamaca a short distance away. Here we spent time photographing Purplish Coppers (Lycaena helloides) in their preferred wetland habitat lining the lakeshore. We then took lunch at a picnic table with a view of the lake. 

Once refueled, we continued north to Warner Springs to look for butterflies along a stretch of the Pacific Crest Trail. We spent time checking extensive buckwheat patches along a stream for coppers, hairstreaks, and blues. By this point, the temperature was soaring and butterfly activity was dying down. We made the trek up trail to look for a population of Tailed Coppers (Lycaena arota). Along the way we admired the old growth oak trees lining the stream, using their shade for relief from the heat. The Tailed Coppers were indeed flying, and one cooperative individual allowed for photos by all. 

By now it was later in the afternoon and the butterflies were starting to reemerge. On the hike back, we watched a couple of territorial Satyr Commas (Polygonia satyrus) fight it out. One eventually landed for photos. We then stumbled upon a few Mountain Mahogany Hairstreaks (Satyrium tetra) at a bend in the trail. After taking a short detour around a Western Diamondback (Crotalus atrox) sprawled out across the trail, we reached the buckwheat fields again. Here a Sylvan Hairstreak (Satyrium sylvinus) appeared seemingly from nowhere, then another, with four eventually counted in total. We then returned to El Cajon for a well-earned dinner and a tally of the day’s species.

Wednesday, 6/12/2024

We awoke to more ocean mists covering the sky so we decided to head inland again where the sun should be out. Our primary goal today was to find hilltopping species in the Laguna Mountains. Our first stop was Kwaaymii Point. We first admired the many butterflies on flowers around the parking lot including the only Orange Skipperling (Copaeodes aurantiaca) of the trip. We then climbed a small hill where we found a Leanira Checkerspot (Chlosyne leanira) on buckwheat right at the edge of a cliff. With some careful maneuvering, all participants were able to get photographs. 

Next we headed to Garnet Peak for more hilltopping species. This required climbing a portion of the Pacific Crest Trail in order to reach the summit. Once at the top, we enjoyed Indra Swallowtails (Papilio indra) and an Anise Swallowtail (Papilio zelicaon) among other species. We also stopped to take in the view of the desert to the east, a textbook example of a rain shadow in action.

After lunch, our final stop of the day was Agua Dulce Creek, also in the Laguna Mountains. The habitat here was lush pine forest, very different from the chaparral earlier in the day. We worked the trail along the creek, noting many Western Branded Skippers (Hesperia colorado), Boisduval’s Blues (Icaricia icarioides) and a few Lorquin’s Admirals (Limenitis lorquini). Finally it was time to return to El Cajon for dinner and a tally of the day’s species.

Thursday, 6/13/2024

With the morning fog forecasted to burn off, we made our way to Otay Mountain to look for Thorne’s Hairstreak (Callophrys loki thornei). Along the way we watched a Greater Roadrunner and a couple of California Quail cross in front of our van. Once we reached a high enough elevation where the hairstreak’s host, Tecate Cypress, was common, we parked and walked the road, hitting the host as we went. Unfortunately the hairstreak never showed but we did find some less common species including a Gabb’s Checkerspot (Chlosyne gabbii), a few Rural Skippers (Ochlodes Agricola), and a Great Basin Wood Nymph (Cercyonis sthenele), the only one of the trip.

After taking lunch on the mountain, we traveled to Famosa Slough in San Diego. Wandering Skipper (Panoquina errans) was the target here. The skipper proved difficult to find, but we noted some Western Pygmy Blues (Brephidium exilis) while searching for it. Finally a single individual showed up, allowing photos by all.

With the clear skies, we headed to nearby Mission Beach. Though it was packed with tourists, we enjoyed some ice cream and view of the Pacific Ocean. No butterflies were seen here, but we did see some birds including Brown Pelicans and various tern species. The day concluded with a satisfying dinner followed by a species and photo review at the hotel.

Friday, 6/14/2024

We returned to Agua Dulce Creek in Cleveland National Forest to look for butterflies that we missed on our previous visit. There was a quick flurry of butterfly activity when we reached the creek, including a Nelson’s Hairstreak (Callophrys gryneus nelsoni), Silver-banded Hairstreak (Chlorostrymon simaethis), Gabb’s Checkerspot (Chlosyne gabbii), and California Tortoiseshell (Nymphalis californica) among other species. We found more Nelson’s Hairstreaks not far down the trail on nectar, allowing for close approach and photos. Another good species here was the only Arrowhead Blue (Glaucopsyche piasus) of the trip. We then stationed ourselves at a stream crossing watching over thirteen butterfly species come to the mud. 

We took lunch at the van then went over to the Water of the Woods Spur of the Sunset Trail a short distance away. Here we checked nectar in the meadows along the trail, noting Great Copper (Lycaena xanthoides), Mountain Mahogany Hairstreak (Satyrium tetra) and a few Gabb’s Checkerspots (Chlosyne gabbii). At this point, we decided to make our way back to El Cajon for dinner and a compilation of the day’s checklist.

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Check out a PDF of our trip report that includes an annotated species list of our sightings