Sighting for September 7, 2013

Relatively short survey but covering a lot of acreage; one Com. Buckeye was the only nymphalid species noticed, unusual for this site in early Sept.! Monarchs seem as low as have almost ever been in recent times: hope for more as autumn comes along; but nice to see Swarthy Skipper hanging in - in modest numbers; no Fiery Skipper definitively seen, but with over 250 Sachems to sort through, maybe a few Fierys did sneak past! The one Peck’s Skipper seen looked very fresh. Plenty of flowers, both planted (non-natives) & wild (some native), yet not the butterflies to match the numbers of blooms, on this brief visit. Weather was good & very sunny, a bit breezy though for photography. Some habitat at this big site is under stress, and also some is dumbly-mowed to quarter inch height for no reason beyond a worker getting paid to mow. Many butterflies as usual found in the well-planted - & often watered - community gardens section, some also in lingering tall-grass and wildflower habitats!