Sighting for July 16, 2021
Brian McGurgan
Hatcher Pass
Matanuska-Susitna Borough, AK
- Mustard White 4
- Freija Fritillary 4
- Arctic Fritillary 1
- Milbert's Tortoiseshell 16
New Sighting
Hatcher Pass
Matanuska-Susitna Borough, AK
A beautiful, relaxing day up above the tree line in Alpine high tundra. Mostly clear with bright sun, temperatures in the low to mid-seventies, and a strong breeze. Nice sightings of pika, Arctic ground squirrels, and marmots. Butterflies were mostly far and few between as we get later into the season here. Freshly emerged Milbert’s tortoiseshells were most numerous. The Arctic fritillary appears to be more specifically Boloria chariclea butleri, Butler’s fritillary (the local subspecies). Several sulphurs were seen but never close enough for photos or confident identification.