RICHMOND — On Saturday, June 22, from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on Swan Island in the Kennebec River, join Bob Gobeil, an accomplished Maine Butterfly Survey participant, to survey Swan Island for butterflies.

Gobeil will first present information about this state’s butterflies, and the Maine Butterfly Survey (http://mbs. umf.maine.edu/).

Afterwards, spend time in the field identifying butterflies. Gobeil has been an active volunteer for the Maine Butterfly Survey since 2007. This is a cooperative effort to inventory the occurrence and distribution of butterfly species in Maine for use in recommending conservation planning and management activities. Swan Island has never been surveyed for butterflies, so Gobeil is filling that gap this season. He will talk about the MBS, his roles (and how others can help out) and then do some actual surveying.

He will have extra nets and collection equipment so that participants can join in. Everyone attending should be prepared for a day outdoors with outdoor clothing, food, water, camera, etc.

Plan to arrive at the Swan Island Mainland ferry landing, at the corner of Routes 197 and 24, before 10 a.m. The ferry will leave promptly at 10 a.m. Return time from the island will be around 1 p.m. Reservations are a must. Regular $8 admission fees will be charged.

Swan Island, known for its abundant and often quite visible wildlife, is actually an abandoned 18th and 19th century town called Perkins Township, and has long been recognized for its varied and interesting history. There are five standing homes that date back to the 1700s. The wildlife management area, about 1,755 acres in size, is located in the Kennebec River between the towns of Richmond and Dresden. The island’s public visitation season runs from May 15th through Labor Day (with limited access through the fall). There are 10 Adirondack type shelters available for overnight use, picnic facilities for day use, modern bathroom facilities at the campground and drinking water.

For fees and other details about Swan Island, visit www.maine.gov/swanisland.