May 2016 Sightings

Edwards Plateau region of Texas. First time seeing a red satyr!

Full sun, low 70s, was there from 11:30 to 3:30. Many no ID sulphurs.

There was a Strecker’s Giant-skipper in the same area of yucca plants where others have been seen in past years at this time of the year. It was a male perched on a dead stalk of little blue stem. It was perched in the typical jet fighter pose that grass skippers so often use, and the yellow spots on the dorsal upper wing were visible. Unfortunately, this one did not stick around for photos.

10 AM to 2 PM. Hot, mid 80s.

rained all morning, still mostly cloudy
from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m.
3 unIDed azures

62F

Noon to 5:20, pleasantly low 70’s, almost no breeze. California Hairstreak and Mountain Mahogany Hairstreak were nice to see. As were all of the other butterflies.

My first ever Henry’s Elfins at Sandhill! American Ladies were mainly nectaring on dandelion or laying eggs.

after another week of snow and cold, today is sunny! and 51F. the elevation is 8500 feet where i was walking. amazingly there were a few butterflies that made an appearance.

11:15 AM to 1 PM - walked only a small 1/2 mile trail focusing on blooming Sparkleberry trees.

it was nice to see the butterflies again on this little dirt path along a small creek. you can still see a bit of the snow in the photo of the mourning cloak. i was especially happy to get the photo of the Green Comma. We don’t have a lot of them here but there seems to be 2 regularly at this location
i was out from 1PM to 2:30PM sunny, 51F elevation 8200 feet.

rained all morning brief clearing around 1 to 2 p.m.
mid-60’s

Just warm enough for some butterfly action.

A sunny day with temps around 60 degrees when the Red Admiral flew around the bushes. There have been several chilly and damp days prior to today -no butterflies during that time.

Mix of clouds and sun, high in the upper 60s. Habitats include floodplain forest, meadows, and limestone cliffs along the Maury River. Azure large and worn — probably the spring brood of the “Summer Azure.”

Waxleaf Privet bloom is about half way spent,but the bust out side my office window is still pulling in humming birds,and insects.The days notable sighting was a Monarch; because they over winter here, and are usually long gone by this time makes it a rare sighting. Our native milk weeds have almost two months of growth on them, so maybe the Monarch will be a more common sighting in the next few months, before the northern clan makes their return.

71F, with Dennis Olle
Duddleya - food plant for Sonoran Blue.

From the upper trail’s end down to the 3rd bridge and back.

Start 2pm, cloudy, mid-70s

Saw 3 blues. Can only confirm ID of one of them.

heil ranch is at the base of the foothills….elevation is about 5,800 feet. there is still so much damage from the 2013 floods and restoration is still in progress. many of the butterflies that we usually see this time of year weren’t seen. however we did see a few.
this is one of the boulder county open space areas that we have been monitoring for about 15 years.

It got up to 75 today and was sunny with very little wind.
I also saw a common spring moth.

Several Checkered Whites visiting areas with mustard growing. Partly cloudy in the 70’s F with breezes.

Cool start ;it was in the lower 50s,warmed to the upper 70s.

I went looking for my first Freija Fritillaries of the year. I found them all on Riley Lake Rd. road. No Brown Elfins!

Sulphers seen on Sentry Trail to Mushroom Springs
Checkered White at the end of the dirt road past Sentry Peak trailhead
Cabbage Whites flying in meadow behind Ranch.

breezy

As I drove south on Jupiter Island toward Blowing Rocks Preserve, I encountered at least a dozen Great Southern Whites at every bend. I’d not ever seen so many during their migration. I think they must have had an irruption, as well. Friends in the Florida Keys reported incredible numbers, too.

This female laid five eggs in succession on this Virginia Peppergrass. There are four pictured here.

The stops I made along public rights of way were
far more productive than the wildlife preserve on this trip. The Georgia Satyrs * were mostly if not all Helicta Satyr (with their rounded hindwing eyespots).

Both Eastern Tailed-Blue and Silver-spotted Skipper were FOS for me in Beaver Co.

.

Brief visit- sunny, high 50s, “blue” footpath through holly groves at NE end of the Fishing Beach Road

Mild, clear, lots of thistle

10 AM to 12:30 PM. Two mile North Loop Hammock Trail, not well marked. Good numbers of Hairstreaks on a few blooming Sparkleberry trees

With Jane, Jolie and Jemma Lampkin
Sunny high 70’s
Orange Sulphur was a nice surprise

Raised Anise Swallowtail from caterpillar on fennel plant and released after it eclosed. Lots of these caterpillars are now feeding on fennel plants. Another one with wing damage was nectaring at Pride of Madeira flowers.

With Nancy Slowick and Della Wells; 1:00-4:15 PM; scattered clouds, 62-64 F; wind gusts 17-20 mph from a generally WSW direction.

This WMA is 65 miles north of the coast,
or another way to state it; it is two USDA growth zones away.
Verbena has made a come back this year; it was sparse last year, but it is wide spread and abundant this year. It attracts and holds a wide range of butterfly speices which makes sighting identification much easier when they stay on the flower.

Partly sunny to overcast, 68-72 deg, NW wind 5 - 15 mph. Apologies for the premature submission a few minutes ago! Note that I was out in Albemarle & Greene counties.

Mid 70s, partly cloudy, and windy. The early season here is all but finished. Most nectar source has expired.

New yard Butterfly #40

Bronze Copper is early in the season.

Nice day with plenty to see (23 spp).

We followed the Old Stagecoach Road, which is also called Wimer Road up to Oregon Mountain in Western Josephine County.

I appeared that many of the species seen were very fresh such as the Juniper HS, Rawson’s MM, Tropical Leafwings and Dun Skippers. The open field at the base of the entrance trail from Camp Craft was teaming with butterflies.

More clouds than sun, threat of rain, high in the mid 70s. Most butterflies seen in a utility right-of-way that crosses the preserve.

63F

Weather on day of observations was partly sunny with some darker clouds, 60’s-70 F. & strong northerly breezes. Weather for preceding 8 days was mostly cool to cold, and frequently damp or rainy. Butterfly no’s. & diversity a bit low for this site & date. Also seen was the Eight-spotted Forester moth, perched.

Mostly sunny, windy, high around 70. Habitats include disturbed forests on bluffs above the James River, herbaceous and scrub wetlands around an impounded stream, and fields dominated by invasive grasses. Azures fresh.

South side of the James River between Main Street Bridge and Dry Run. Habitats include disturbed floodplain forest, a weedy field, and mowed lawns. Mostly sunny, high around 70.

71F

67F

I saw my first butterflies in forever this afternoon. Three nice Blue Spring Azures!

Butterflies a bit limited in number for the date, yet species diversity seemed reasonably good. Cobweb Skippers were recently-out, looking rather fresh, a bit less so of Dreamy Duskywings seen. Male Falcate Orangetip was seen on a blooming blueberry. Many butterflies were hilltopping, with mild weather & light winds. An Eight-spotted Forester moth was also at one high summit area.
Photos of half these species obtained.

Yearly census. With Karen Finch, Jean Evoy, Rob Epstein, John Lampkin. Mostly full sun, 84F. Skippers nectaring on Thistles. Hairstreaks preferred Blackroot. Redroot seen last year not in bloom yet.

and nearby trails. Sunny, mid 70s. From 11:45 to 3:30

65F
plus one unidentified swallowtail, anise or western tiger.

1:00-2:15, mid 70’s.

with David Rawlinson

1:30pm - 4:30pm

Elevation 7200-8200ft.
Walked only 1.5 miles of the trail. Last 1/2 miles\ of walk snow covered.
Mourning Cloaks, Milberts, and Hoary Commas all seen on the 100-200 yards where some snow started to appear (and before area became snow covered)

Start at 3:30pm

10:00 AM to 1:30 PM; sunny with a few thin clouds; 69 to 75 F; high wind speed 5-7 mph generally from SE. With Della Wells and Nancy Slowick.

The Ash Creek area is a well known spot for photographing California Crescent. This year, we saw 10 ndividuals, but all were worn. Next year we’ll try going a week earlier.

The day was sunny with a temperature was in the high 70s and a steady wind blowing.

Mid 70s, 11:30-3:45. I feel the Morgan Trail is not as good as the nearby Bear Canyon Loop trail.

9:30-11:00, Sunny, 70. Despite lusher plant growth I was disappointed in this spot.

Sunny and breezy. Visited 2:30-4:00 PM.

This butterfly was was perusing the large trees and grassy area between the primary buildings. Warm (85 F) sunny day

afternoon sunshine after 5 days of clouds and rain

Poor weather.
Form marginata.

Sunny weather until around 2:30. Orange-tips have persisted almost a full month. Azures were fresh and were the entity that some recognize as Celastrina idella.

Party Cloudy, a high of 76 degrees, quite windy. No ID Sulphurs present.

p.m. walk with 70+ F. temp., sun & clouds. Zabulon Skipper is new for year here. B’flies seemed a bit low in number for the date. Uncommon to find Clouded Sulphur at this location.

Triple Creek Portion of the NABA Fourth of July Count, “Bullfrog Creek”
Don Stillwaugh, count organizer; John Lampkin, Triple Creek compiler; with Robert Epstein, Jean Evoy, Susan Farnsworth and Jane Lampkin
9 - 3, sunny 79 - 90

70F
checkerspot was very large and fresh.

Stopped on the way back from Mormon Trail to look along the wet & muddy spots near the parking area. They are typically very good for butterflies but not today.

Got there around 2:30pm

Walked a little over 2 miles of the trail. Stopped due to snowmelt flooding.

No butterflies seen after the 1st mile.

Elevation at start 6000 ft.

2-4:30 PM.

9:30 AM to 12:00 PM - hiked all passable trails. Julias were my first sighting for Hillsborough County. Part of the Bullfrog Creek NABA Count

From 11:30 AM To 1:30 PM

11:40 am. First of Year (FOY) Red Admiral

With Melissa James

Skippers are scarce; some common species are, too

Giant Swallowtail was laying eggs on Rue in organic pollinator garden.

Anise Swallowtails and Gray Hairstreak sunning on local vegetation.

Partly cloudy day in the 70’s F.

Late afternoon

Most sunny, high in the upper 60s.

Warm, about 80 degrees, lots of butterfly activity today. Mostly in Wildcat Canyon and along the PG&E Trail. Happy to find Leanira Checkerspot (none seen last year).

80-90F

Sherar’s Bridge area is well known for finding Oregon Swallowtail and Pale Crescent. Oregon Swallowtail is listed as Old World Swallowtail in this report. This day the weather was cold and partly rainy, so butterfly activity was down.

These butterflies were nectaring at mustard and Eriogonum Cinereum or sunning on rocks in dry wash area. Other flowering plants in the wash included bush mallow, whispering bells, cryptantha, caterpillar phacelia, California 4 O’clock, Tarweed, Sticky Monkeyflower, and Fennel. Partly cloudy day in the 70’s F.

This Checkered White was resting near a freshly watered portion of the garden. The Swallowtail flies a daily circuit around the yard. The Mourning Cloak used the mulch heap for it life cycle.

low 70’s full sun. Low amount of nectar plants, especially along the riparian areas. 1 unid sulphur either ca dogface or cloudless.

1:30pm-4:30pm, mostly overcast
New county record and new early date for Pepper and Salt Skipper.

75-81F
Lots of second brood pierids.
I’ve never seen so many large marbles.

12:53 p.m with ambient temperature 68 F:
Also one unidentified skipper.

Took a walk through this dry sandy wash from 11:30 to 1:00. Mid 70s sunny. Much Dudleya was found here so I will be returning next winter in hopes of finding Sonoran Blue. 1 unid Nymphalid either Mylitta Crescent or Gabb’s Checkerspot quickly flew by.

Common Ringlet was fresh and FOY for me. Numerous Baltimore caterpillars on English Plantain. Azures were worn. Have been out more than a month at this location.

With David Rawlinson. Cold wind blowing in from the ocean, some activity in protected spots. We expect more in a couple of weeks.

Sightings were from a field trip between 10 and 1. We had sunny skies, light wind, 70 degrees for the day.

There were 2 Glassy-winged Skippers patrolling a wooded trail near the Green Jay thicket.

10:30 AM to 2:00 PM; sunny with a few thin clouds; 64 to 74 F; high wind speed 7-18 mph generally from NE. With Della Wells and Nancy Slowick.

p.m. visits. Juniper Hairstreaks appeared fresh; N. Cloudywing very fresh & feisty, some Cobweb Skippers not so fresh. Pearl Crescents more abundant than usual; no Boloria fritillaries noted despite past regular appearance of 2 of typical NE species in the areas visited, maybe too early - or too late for 1st brood?? Dun Skipper seems slightly early - seen well, but no photo. Overall number and diversity of b’flies not that high given the date. Day was first in some time with full sun & truly warm: nearly 80 F. high.

also one Cabbage White caterpillar

One white form female Orange Sulphur.

Was hoping to see the Baltimore checkerspot again that we saw last weekend. No luck, but did see some other lovelies.

2 Fiery Skippers on lantana, 6 Silver-spotted Skippers on verbena. Unknown Duskywing - looked like Horace’s but at this time of year, perhaps Juvenal’s? Did not get a pic.

9:30 AM to 12:00 PM. Pump Station Road, 2.5 mile loop trail following markers #1-3.

Summer time,mostly sunny,temps in mid 80s,with afternoon thunder showers.

We were out gardening and we saw 2 fat black and orange caterpillars.

With Donna Carty
9:30 - 11:30
80’s, sunny and hot
One Spicebush ST observed laying eggs on Red Bay, Persea borbonia. (as per article in American Butterflies; Spring/Summer 2015)

65F

9:45 AM to 12:00 PM. SR-45 north walk through gate. 2 miles. Hairstreaks nectaring on blooming Saw Palmetto .

Sunday morning at the wonderful Butterflies & Blooms in the Briar Patch, pollinator habitat in Eatonton, Georgia.

In addition to the adults seen, 2 spicebush cats and 2 monarch cats.

Area west of Old Cutler Road. Mostly sunny, high in the mid 80s.

Cloudy, high in the mid 80s. Parking lot area.

68F
Pipevine Swallowtail was very large, about 5 in. across. Usually, they are smaller, sometimes considerably.

65-67F

Partly cloudy, 75 degree day with few leps on the wing

Since last August I have had 14 overwintering Black Swallowtail chrysalis. So far in May 11 of them have emerged with this beauty being #11 this AM. The other 3 are turning darker so I am thinking all 14 are going to make it. Just amazing they can stay that long in their chrysalis.

Early Northern Pearly-eye and pristine, except for portion of missing hindwing.
Warmest thus far in 2016 with high of 80.

swallowtail, male.

Mostly sunny, high in the mid 80s.

very little blooming

Hobomok, Indian, Tawny-edge, Dusted and LWS were all FOY for me. Many Baltimore caterpillars and a few Harris’ caterpillars but I didn’t spend time looking for either.

9:30-10:30 AM
Common Ringlet is first record for Hunterdon Co., NJ

Kinney Creek is located north of the Applegate Reservoir and is a tributary of the Applegate River. There is a nice dirt road that follows the creek.

Royal Palm Hammock and Long Pine Key areas. Mostly sunny, high in the mid 80s. Recent heavy rains in southern Florida appeared to have bypassed much of the Park. Odonates abundant.

Walked a bit of the Amorpha filled stream bed below this ridge trail as well. Sunny with a high of 76. 1 unid White, multiple unid grass skippers.

Group trip. These sightings from Kuser Bog area only, 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM. This is a new location for Pepper and Salt Skipper (recommended for State Threatened status).

Giant swallowtail unusual sighting for this location. Especially at this time of year.

74F

67-73F
14 species at the little bridge over Fern Creek

Visited 5 parks and Stephens Institute without spotting any butterflies. My sightings were along streets outside aforementioned.

Overcast but warm, low 80’s

10:30 AM to 2:00 PM

The butterfly was perusing the vegetable garden which is integrated with flowers.

It was finally a nice sunny day, winds low, and temperatures between 75-80.
Saw our first Monarch of the year which was exciting. Tons of Orange Sulphur

My first sighting of this unusual visitor on my coffee bush this morning. He must have been tired, because he let me get very close and never flew away.