March 2022 Sightings

With Cynthia Dusel-Bacon, Charlie Bacon, Tom and Sue Peterson, Fran Bartholomew.

Partly overcast, about 70 degrees.

A cool/overcast start to the day kept us looking for Yucca Giant Skipper eggs, which we located 14. No adults seen. The sun broke about lunchtime and the butterflies appeared including a Henry’s Elfin which I was told by Linda Cooper was new to the spot. Major nectar sources are bull thistle, Lyonia spp., blackberry, and Florida Pennyroyal. A good time was had by all. Surveyed 9:45a-4:15p—EPerry & DVollmar

Time: 1400-1700, Pleasant and sunny in the 70s.

Today I was looking for Elfins but did not find any.

The Giant Swallowtail usually stayed near the tops of the trees.

I followed one Monarch as it nectared on Common Vetch - Vicia sativa. A photo shows most of the Vetch in a tangle with other vegetation. I also took a clear photo of the Vetch after I gently untangled it from the other vegetation.

Briars, Carolina Jasamine & Thistle are blooming despite dry conditions. 70 Degrees with Full Sun today.

Partly cloudy day in the low 60’s

(8-17). Sunny with temps reaching 72.

Found 3 very skittish Elfin(s) on the ground shortly after I started surveying. Got a distant photo of one on the ground. After that brief encounter, I had a very long unproductive hike.

After the hike I had the great fortune to chat with 4 renowned butterfliers from the NABA Hairstreak Chapter in the parking area.

At about 1400 I located a lone Elfin hanging around in the tops of some trees. After watching it for about a half-hour, I hiked back to my 4Runner to exchange the macro for a longer lens (It was not long enough.) I relocated the Elfin and attempted distant photos for another half hour. (Got fairly good looks with the binoculars and a sore neck.)

Time: 1030-1545 , Temperature: 70-76F, Wind: NW 3-4MPH, Cloud Cover: 8-14%, 30.559161323779964, -84.94972462827303

84 degrees, full sun. Despite very dry conditions we have a few thistle and briar blooms along with Carolina Jasamine. This Henry’s Elfin is the Yawehus subspecies that uses Yapon Holly (Ilex vomitoria) for host plant.

9:15 a.m. - 3:15 p.m. 74°-86°, winds 9-15, sun all day 95%. Nectar: Thistle and pennyroyal. Large area of pennyroyal is 1.1 miles from the check station on the north side of the road up a grassy trail. LCooper

(17-52) Light wind and sunny skies. Not many butterflies, but a nice variety.

Went looking (hoping) for Henry’s, Pine Elfin, Juniper HS, or Falcate Orangetip but it was not to be.

The Monarch in the photo was on Moss Verbena - Verbena pulchella which was growing in a field of Raphanus raphanistrum which the Monarchs nectared on here during the winter. There are many sources of nectar available throughout the WMA now that it has warmed up. Many of the Monarchs and Queens may have dispersed from the overwintering site reported earlier at 31.470337288340467, -84.37644479250795 . Two of the Monarchs reported today were found away from the overwintering site.

Time: 1000-1430, Pleasant, minimal wind and clear skies, 67-84F, Wind variable 3-9MPH, Cloud Cover: 1-2%

Partly Sunny, gusty winds, and a high of 82 degrees. With Steve Glynn.

Little blooming because of mechanical clearing of key nectaring areas

Mostly cloudy, mid 80s, gusty winds, 15-25 mph. With Steve Glynn.

84 degrees with full sun. Was happy to see some meadows left natural with blooming wildflowers. We saw an unidentified white butterfly. We were repairing and cleaning out Bluebird boxes but were a little late for a few of the 25 boxes we maintain in the area… there were already eggs being watched over by the proud parents! We were actually in Evans County half of the time but only traveled a couple of miles.

I looked for a good patch of Sundial Lupine-Lupinus perennis and then staked out that area. Only a few of the perennis had flowers yet. L. villosus and L. diffusus were also in the immediate vicinity.

An Elfin finally was observed at approximately 1045 and things got better after that. All Elfins were observed within a relatively small area and in close association with the Sundial Lupine. I ‘think’ most of the Elfins were males (based on behavior) with one possible female (see photo). No mating behavior or oviposition was observed. For the most part, the Elfins remained perched close to the ground. Occasionally two of the suspected males would engage in a swirling ascending dogfight and then would return to near to ground level again.

The forest was fairly open. I saw a few other butterflies that I could not positively identify off in the distance.

Time: 0845-1215, 70-78F, Constantly windy and cloudy, SE-SW 8-16MPH, Cloud Cover: 30-40% or more.

Visited Monroe County on 7th & 8th. Partly clouding clearing to mostly sunny. Gusty winds deceased to 11 mph by 3 PM.Temp was 82 degrees. With Steve Glynn.

Warm day, mid-60s, a bit breezy.

All California Tortoiseshells seen were very tattered.

Observed 3 mated pairs of Carolina Satyrs and observed mating activity of several pairs of Pearl Crescents.

All Monarchs and Queens were observed at the previously reported field of Raphanus raphanistrum (wild radish in mustard family) that served as their overwintering site. Observed one Monarch (see photo) taking nectar exclusively on Verbena pulchella.

Time: 1400-1745, 78-81F, SE-SW 6-15MPH, Cloud Cover: 90-70%

1030am-1240pm, 81-83 degrees, sunny, windy

Only one Monarch and no Queens seen today after they over-wintered here. There are many sources of nectar currently available throughout the region.

1415-1700, 66-68F, Cloud Cover: Rain to overcast to partly cloudy, 99-81%, Wind variable 3-5MPH

With Bob Gorman, Tom and Sue Peterson.

Weather was great, sunny and not windy for a change.

Afternoon bike ride. Mostly sunny, windy, low 80s and humid. Bonus find of some Gulf Fritillary cats. Apologies for the grainy images off my phone…really difficult to carry a telephoto lens on a bike!

Painted Lady was the first migrant I’ve seen.

I saw one this morning but could not get a pix of it in a location a quarter-mile away. The first butterfly of the year for me here. I had a glimpse of one yesterday in Elkton, MD, however, I was reluctant to submit or count that sighting.

Partly cloudy, breezy, low 80s. Few nectar sources limiting numbers…

Sunny, winds 7 mph, 74 degrees. Conditions are quite dry. Nectar source is scarce. Very few individuals seen today.

Seen at the rock outcropping half way up the hill to the switchback.

Hardy little guy - we just had a snowstorm a couple days ago and its been below freezing the last few days.

Several Clouded Skippers, unusual in March.

Seen on one fallen dead branch with some kind of fungus growing on it with loads of flies as well.

Best butterfly was the Henry’s Elfin which almost immediately flew high into the trees during its windy photo shoot.

Photo of the female Zabulon Skipper was at about the same spot as the photo of the male in the 10 March Sighting.

1000-1300, 61-70F, Wind SE 10-25MPH, Cloud Cover 61-95% with rain that ended the survey.

Several hours out on hiking trails, in temp’s. up to 70 F. - number of M. Cloaks not at all unusual or unexpected for some miles of walking here. No native plants in bloom just yet, and a few small patches of snow still lingering.

First butterflies of the season! Sunny and 72 degrees

The Only butterflies seen today were well inside the woods on sunny paths

FOY

First butterflies of the year. Already seen more Mourning Cloaks than I usually see in a year.

Suburban foothills. Early afternoon, Sunny, mid 60’s

1320-1620, 72F, Wind SW 11-19MPH, 24-62% with rain that ended the survey.

Partly sunny 70-79 degrees

noon to 2:45, upper 80s to low 90s

The best butterflies today were the Falcate Orangetip(s) at the southern edge of their range. They are uncommon here, but this is around the date(s) I usually see them here.

The Eastern Tailed-Blue(s) were scattered all over the WMA.

There were some Cloudywings and Checkered-Skippers that were not identified to species.

0830-1500, 53-74F, Wind SE 2-6MPH, Cloud Cover 45-06%.

The Monarch (a very tattered individual) was nectaring on blooming Willow.

9:45 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Weather: heavy fog until start time; 67°-88°, winds 8-13 mph, 100% sun a.m., 85% p.m. Nectar: lyonia, thistles. Yucca Giant Skipper eggs (12 total) found near shell fill area on main road. LCooper, SFarnsworth, EPerry, NPrine, BWelch.

Sunny, 79 degrees, mild winds 6-7 mph. Also seen, no ID Blue.

1st. one of the year.

88 degrees, partially cloudly & windy at the end of my walk.

Seen in the Meadow at Chappaqua Friends Nursery School off Rt. 120 - flying at eye-level - 1:30 - 2:00 PM.

(17-85) Warm and sunny, but not much in bloom - only a few thistles and dewberry.

After I walked 2 miles on the Birch Trail looking for butterflies, I found these at my car in the parking lot. That’s ok, it’s been a long winter. It was a beautiful day.

First Butterfly of 2022 seen flying/landing on Maple Buds at the top of a Maple Tree: 2:27 PM.

1500-1700, 72-74F, West 9-17MPH, Cloud Cover 40-50%, Very pleasant weather.

Outside the species normal range in this part of Texas.

Very early date for Harvester. Dark form female Eastern Tiger Swallowtails are also not very common in early spring. Temp 70-73.

Sunny with 51-72 degrees

The Monarch was at the overwintering site which was at 31.470235726053687, -84.37641538604468. The Queens were a short distance to the west of the overwintering site.

With Arlo Bishpoo; A good time was had by all.

1230-1430, 64-69F, Wind N 11-22 MPH, Cloud Cover 0-3%

76 degrees, mostly sunny during walk-in then clouds on the way out. Briars, thistle and a few other wildflowers. Have had 1/2” of rain so more overall nectar sources. Didn’t have any Henry’s Elfin in any of the regular spots but walked thru the woods along the marsh and found them all nectaring on Wild Huckleberry!

Mostly cloudy then changing to partly sunny high of 73 degrees

Mostly sunny, breezy with occasional gusts, low 60s. First PA sightings of the year for me…

Spotted on a pine tree around mid day.

met Steve J., also found a 4’ rat snake, no ponies

(19-81). Warm and very breezy. Nectar sources included bidens alba, sleepy morning, thistle and prickly pear.

Still trying to find Pine Elfins with no joy.
Distant photo of a very worn Henry’s Elfin.
FOS RSP.

0900-1700, 60-80F, Wind SE 11-25MPH, Cloud Cover 68-89%

Excited to have Falcate Orangetips as a yard butterfly! Saw 2 males & 1 female. The Tiger Swallowtail was a dark form female.

Pleasant 75 degrees, Spring has sprung in a big way.

Northern Checkerspot is 3 weeks earlier than I have seen it before.

Walked about a mile slowly out and back at the edge of a swamp. 1430-1630, 67-69F, NW 6-13 MPH, Cloud Cover 93-97% with rain at the end; A gray cool day.

75 degrees, Sunny. Tiny Roadside wetland under powerline. Visited this site midafternoon on March 25th and 27th.

Sunny and 75 degrees location was Levy County Road 336 at the Intersection of 337. We visited this site on March 25th & 27th. On March 27th we apparently arrived too early for the targeted Neamathla Skippers so ventured down the Old Rock Road (dirt) from this intersection to find Question Mark, American Snout, Carolina Satyrs and Swallowtails and Northern Cloudywing. Neamathla Skippers were not seen until after 1:30 pm.

(24-126) The day following a strong, rain-producing front. Even with the park’s heavy damage from a hurricane a few years back it is still worth a visit.

Always cool, close to the bay, but the butterflies get going around noontime.

Recent yard sightings. Overall activity remains quiet slow.

1000-1430, 59-68F, NW 14-21MPH, Cloud Cover 0-15%

Junipers in the area, but no oaks for approximately 5 miles.

Temps 60-62 degrees, breezy.

morning and afternoon walks for the prairie Friends group. Weather: 62°-79°, winds 12-18 mph, 100% sun all day. 17 participants.

Sunny, near 80, wind was not impactful. Some nectar source available but the overall activity was low. With Bob Gorman & Diane Broduer.

75 degrees, sunny. We ventured down Old Rock Road (dirt) a little ways from this intersection as the Neamathla Skippers were not flying when we arrived. We didn’t see them until 1:30 pm.

Seen only on the inner trail.

74 Degrees, Sunny. 9:30-2:30.

With Anna Yellin, Wildlife Biologist, GA DNR, and Dr. Ray Moranz, Xerces/NRCS Grazing Lands Pollinator Ecologist.

We were also doing some plant surveying.

A good time was had by all.

1000-1500, 60-80F, Winds variable 3-11MPH, Cloud Cover 9-16%

Mostly sunny high of 71 degrees

Saw first butterflies of season, Spring Azure and Eastern Comma. Wasn’t able to get a picture of the Comma. It was around 60 degrees, cloudy and 30 mph gust. Not ideal for seeing butterflies

All the gates were closed so I did some walking. I surveyed a relatively small portion of the WMA. I spent some time in the primitive camping field early and then walked areas near Real Estate Road. I left early because of the wind.

1000-1400, 66-83F, Wind Advisory S 8-28MPH, Cloud Cover 92% decreasing to 43%

11-12:30, sunny, 58 degrees