Recent sightings

1:15-2:45

Stiff south breeze, low 80’s, humid, alternating mid-level overcast and partly cloudy conditions. Plants are about 2-3 weeks behind where they should be this time of year.

Dozens of Red-banded Hairstreaks in oak trees and grass along edge of campground/woods.

Two hours spent at midday walking the serpentine barrens and associated woodlands at Soldiers Delight. Warm and sunny with slight breeze. Dusted Skippers were very fresh and obviously had just begun their flight; Cobwebs are past peak and quite worn. Photo by Tom Stock.

Terrible weather - -no sun and some rain - - but had already made plans with Steve and Hilary Rosenthal based on the forecast which turned out totally wrong. hoary Elfin pretty late. It was worn and Steve had to take my word, more or less, that it was his lifer Hoary. Red-banded HS FOY

Ray Bruun and I worked this foothill riparian area looking for Callippe Fritillaries, which there were none. Elevation is 2200’

Surprisingly few butterflies. Chokecherry was the major nectar source.

Weekly survey.
Temps 65-72 with bright sun
What a difference fifteen degrees can make!

I went up to Cline Gulch Road to look for a first-of-season Lindsey’s Skipper and found three. Callippe Fritillary numbers are increasing. Also, I saw eight Gray Marbles which may be the most I’ve seen in one day at this locale!

First ones of the year!

Weekly survey
Sun to overcast - 52 - 54
Still some fliers despite the cold

Sighting of 10 to 15 of Pacific Fritillary (Boloria epithore) over a distance of about a mile.
Terrain is wooded (redwood, douglas fir, madrone, wild raspberry, poison oak and huckleberry bushes) coastal ridges along creeks.
No photo available. Time 11 am to noon.
Elevation 600 to 1000 feet.

Landing in sunny patches near wild forgetmenot flowers

Sightings recorded over 1 hour 45 minutes.
Weather: 56°F-61°F, clear, windy
Habitat: Gravel road and trail through hilly mature oak-hickory woods with stream.

Unidentified Yellow Swallowtail (not Anise)

Still low numbers despite a hot (80) and sunny day. A photographer I bumped into at Hessel’s spot on 72 says he got some shots of one but I did not see any despite sand Myrtle in good bloom. A fresh male azure could be an early emerger Summer Azure or the thing referred to as Atlantic Holly Azure but, in any event, not a Spring Azure. I did see one very worn and old Spring Azure

This was the first sunny day after four days of rain. The lower elevations of Sherman Pass Road were still open and the buckwheat was blooming. We saw five species of blues today and with yesterdays Veined Blues, we had a total of six species of blues for the trip!

Weekly survey.
Warm 70 +
Surprisingly, no Cobweb Skippers at the usual spot

Erskine Creek Road is a well known locale for Veined Blue. I was a little worried that I wouldn’t see any butterflies at all as it was cool and rainy all week. By two o’clock it started to sprinkle. But, there was a three hour window around noon, and the Veined Blues came out to nectar.