On Monday, May 18, the first Karner blue butterflies of the year were observed at Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park.The endangered Karner blue butterflies spend the winter as eggs, they hatch into their larval stage to feed on the wild blue lupine, and have just now emerged from their chrysalises. This first brood of adult butterflies will mate and lay eggs on the wild blue lupine.  Those eggs will hatch and form the second brood, with those butterflies appearing usually in early July.There are several trails in the Preserve & Park where you can observe these small blue butterflies. The most accessible are at Camp Saratoga  where the trail leaves from parking lot #1.  The other trails are Old Gick Farm and Fox which are accessed from parking areas off of Route 50, just north of King Road.There will be lots of butterflies to see at the Wildlife Festival that is scheduled for Sunday, May 31st at Camp Saratoga on Scout Road in Gansevoort.  At the festival, there will be hourly butterfly walks starting at 11:15.  At the festival there will also be live raptor programs, pond exploration, nature crafts and other hands-on activities.  The festival runs from 11:00 – 3:00 and is free of charge.