Butterfly survey hatches in E. Bruns.

East Brunswick residents are being asked to keep an eye out for butterflies, such as this tiger swallowtail found at a township residence, and report their findings.

EAST BRUNSWICK - The township's Friends of the Environmental Commission are asking residents to help with a townwide butterfly survey for 2007.

Organizers want to determine the types of butterflies that inhabit the region and their relative abundance, according to Richard Wolfert, a member of the group. The group is also interested in knowing when each type of butterfly first appears, seems to peak in abundance, and leaves for the year.

Anyone may participate in the survey, and no special equipment is needed. Unlike birds, butterflies like to be around during the warmer times of day, so people do not have to rise early to look for them. And, since butterflies may be most abundant from 10 a.m. until late afternoon, those looking for them can also avoid times when mosquitoes are most abundant.

Participants may choose to limit their observations to their backyards or entire properties, or can look throughout town.

"It's all up to you," Wolfert said in an e-mail. "We understand that many observations may be incomplete, but we would like to have them anyway. Any data is better than no data."

More information can be found on the Friends of the Environmental Commission Web site, www.njnaturenotes.com, which has a Butterfly Park page that is accessed through the index on the main page. The page includes links to local butterfly photos, the Butterfly Park brochure and the Butterfly Park checklist.

"No special skills are needed for this [survey], just the willingness to look out for these beautiful creatures and watch them playing throughout the summer and early fall months," Wolfert said.

The survey, which is not a contest, will run until some time this fall.

To report findings, send in photos or ask questions, e-mail Wolfert at rwolfert@comcast.net. Questions will be forwarded to Environmental Commissioner David Moskowitz for "a far more expert response," he said.

The commission plans to soon announce several Butterfly Park walking tour dates.