January 2015 Sightings
Jim Egbert
Plantation Rd Gulf Shores
Baldwin County, AL
- Red Admiral 1
- Monarch 1
- Red Admiral 2
Jim Egbert
Plantation Rd Gulf Shores
Baldwin County, AL
Warm and windy day.Temps in the low to mid 70s.
- Gulf Fritillary 1
- Cloudless Sulphur 5
- Orange-barred Sulphur 1
- Ceraunus Blue 2
- Gulf Fritillary 3
- Zebra Heliconian 2
- Common Buckeye 1
- Common Checkered-Skipper 2
Ron Smith
Fort De Soto Park
Pinellas County, FL
Late morning, north end of park. Feeding on bidens.
FL (11)
- Little Yellow 1
- Gulf Fritillary 2
- Phaon Crescent 2
- White Peacock 8
- Fiery Skipper 2
- Cloudless Sulphur 3
- Little Yellow 2
- Sleepy Orange 2
- Dainty Sulphur 1
- Gray Hairstreak 1
- Red-banded Hairstreak 3
- Ceraunus Blue 1
- Gulf Fritillary 1
- Zebra Heliconian 1
- Phaon Crescent 1
- Carolina Satyr 8
- Zarucco Duskywing 1
Laurel Rhodes
Scherer-Thaxton Preserve
Sarasota County, FL
With Dusty Rhodes. 82F, extremely windy, full sun; 1.5 hrs. Mainly Spanish needles for nectar; Metalmarks observed on young thistles.
- Barred Yellow 8
- Dainty Sulphur 1
- Little Metalmark 3
- Gulf Fritillary 2
- Common Buckeye 5
- White Peacock 7
- Sachem 1
- Barred Yellow 1
- Little Yellow 8
- Ceraunus Blue 6
- Gulf Fritillary 3
- Zebra Heliconian 1
- Pearl Crescent 3
- White Peacock 4
- Dorantes Longtail 7
- Horace's Duskywing 1
- Common Checkered-Skipper 2
- Fiery Skipper 3
James L. Monroe
Paleo Hammock
St. Lucie County, FL
10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
high 70s low 80s
sunny
6 or 7 unIDed grass skippers
- Great Southern White 8
- Cloudless Sulphur 2
- Barred Yellow 8
- Sleepy Orange 1
- Gulf Fritillary 5
- Julia Heliconian 1
- Zebra Heliconian 30
- Phaon Crescent 1
- Pearl Crescent 12
- White Peacock 7
- Viceroy 1
- Carolina Satyr 42
- Monarch 3
- Queen 4
- Long-tailed Skipper 12
- Dorantes Longtail 3
- Tropical Checkered-Skipper 4
- Three-spotted Skipper 3
- Sachem 1
James L. Monroe
Lucky Hammock
Miami-Dade County, FL
Lucky Hammock is a mainly a birding spot, but also good for butterflies. It is about 1/3 mile before Everglades NP on left as driving toward park.
Two large yellow sulphurs up in trees but too high to ID. 7 or 8 small grass skipper unable to ID.
Sunny, warm, there from 2 to 2:30.
- Barred Yellow 1
- Cassius Blue 5
- Julia Heliconian 4
- Long-tailed Skipper 5
- Tropical Checkered-Skipper 4
James L. Monroe
Ecopond, Everglades NP
Miami-Dade County, FL
Walking the perimeter trail around Ecopond every 10 ft. there were at least 4 or 5 Great Southern Whites. On a number of bushes with flowers there was always between 30 to 50 on each clump. My estimate of 2000 is very low ball. Looking out from pond onto fields they were speckled with more Great Southern Whites. Unfortunately not a whole lot else.
- Great Southern White 2000
- Gulf Fritillary 5
- Zebra Heliconian 4
- Mangrove Buckeye 1
- Queen 1
- Tropical Checkered-Skipper 1
- Fiery Skipper 3
Laurel Rhodes
T. Mabry Carlton, Jr. Memorial Reserve
Sarasota County, FL
With Dusty Rhodes. Partly sunny, 61F. Winds at 10-15 mph. Walked trail through fields on north side of reserve. Two hrs. Nectar sources scarce.
- Barred Yellow 2
- Little Yellow 2
- Dainty Sulphur 1
- Red-banded Hairstreak 1
- Ceraunus Blue 3
- Pearl Crescent 1
- Common Buckeye 14
Steven Glynn
Islamorada Visitors Center and nearby preserve
Monroe County, FL
- Hammock Skipper 1
- Three-spotted Skipper 1
- Fiery Skipper 1
- Barred Yellow 1
- Cassius Blue 14
- Gulf Fritillary 5
- Julia Heliconian 3
- Zebra Heliconian 1
- Pearl Crescent 1
- White Peacock 5
- Queen 1
- Three-spotted Skipper 8
- Clouded Skipper 1
James L. Monroe
Past Research Rd. in Everglades National Park
Miami-Dade County, FL
Two Buckeyes either Mangrove or Tropical
Viceroy very dark FL subspecies
- Cloudless Sulphur 3
- Large Orange Sulphur 5
- Cassius Blue 4
- Gulf Fritillary 3
- Julia Heliconian 7
- Zebra Heliconian 4
- White Peacock 8
- Viceroy 1
- Tropical Checkered-Skipper 2
- Palatka Skipper 6
- Twin-spot Skipper 5
- Ocola Skipper 3
Thomas Nix
Celery Fields County Park
Sarasota County, FL
85 degrees and sunny. Almost all species were seen nectaring on Bidens.
- Sleepy Orange 3
- Dainty Sulphur abundant
- Ceraunus Blue 1
- Gulf Fritillary 1
- American Lady 1
- White Peacock common
- Monarch 1
- Queen 2
- Dorantes Longtail 3
- Fiery Skipper abundant
Steven Glynn
Everglades NP- Flamingo area
Monroe County, FL
- Great Southern White superabundant
- Large Orange Sulphur 1
- Barred Yellow 1
- Little Yellow 2
- Cassius Blue 2
- Salt Marsh Skipper 2
Steven Glynn
Everglades NP- Lucky Hammock area, just outside of park
Miami-Dade County, FL
- Dainty Sulphur 1
- Ceraunus Blue 2
- Gulf Fritillary 3
- Zebra Heliconian 9
- White Peacock 2
- Three-spotted Skipper 2
- Clouded Skipper 1
Steven Glynn
Navy Wells Pineland Preserve
Miami-Dade County, FL
- Barred Yellow 2
- Little Yellow 1
- Dainty Sulphur 1
- Bartram's Scrub-Hairstreak 2
- Ceraunus Blue 4
- Gulf Fritillary 7
- White Peacock 1
- Queen 2
Jim Egbert
Plantation Rd Gulf Shores
Baldwin County, AL
Winter released this cold wet grip today.There was fun sun, breeze from the SE, and temps in the mid 70s.The record breaking low temps last week took out almost all of the wild flowers (a few asters survived), and most for the ornamental flowers; but some pansies, snapdragons, and some of the camellias are still showing color,and they were visited by some hungry insects; a couple being butterflies.
- Cloudless Sulphur 1
- Monarch 1
Steven Glynn
Big Pine Key, Long Beach area
Monroe County, FL
- Orange-barred Sulphur 1
- Martial Scrub-Hairstreak 1
- Gulf Fritillary 1
- Mangrove Skipper 13
- Hammock Skipper 8
- Southern Broken-Dash 2
Steven Glynn
Spanish Harbor Key, scrub area near old Bahia Honda bridge
Monroe County, FL
Some very large iguana’s were patrolling the area where the butterflies were flying. Some not for the faint of heart.
- Gray Hairstreak 2
- Mallow Scrub-Hairstreak 6
- Cassius Blue 4
- Ceraunus Blue 2
- Gulf Fritillary 3
- Mangrove Skipper 5
Steven Glynn
Key Deer National Preserve, Big Pine Key
Monroe County, FL
- Orange-barred Sulphur 1
- Eastern Pygmy-Blue 4
- Cassius Blue 1
- Gulf Fritillary 1
- Monarch 4
- Queen 1
- Florida Duskywing 3
- Palatka Skipper 1
Jim Egbert
Plantation Rd Gulf Shores
Baldwin County, AL
Sun came out and winds returned to the south, and temps into the mid 60s. The last freeze didn’t leave much for our winter visitors to feed on.The Spanish Needles are gone,this was the favored flower to feed on.Those that sheltered in close proximity to this food source will have difficult time replacing it.
- Monarch 1
Brian Kirshner
Burleigh Murray State Park
San Mateo County, CA
Temp in low 70s, light breeze
3 unidentified commas
- Satyr Comma 1
- Red Admiral 2
- Common Buckeye 3
Ron Smith
Colt Creek State Park
Polk County, FL
Cool, mostly cloudy. Clouded skipper was, perhaps, a little early.
w/Lori. FL (15).
- Carolina Satyr 5
- Clouded Skipper 1
Laurel Rhodes
Legacy Trail, between Laurel Rd. and north trail terminus.
Sarasota County, FL
Butterflies spotted along trail while cycling. Full sun, 81F. Wind 5 mph.
- Zebra Swallowtail 3
- Gulf Fritillary 1
- Zebra Heliconian 5
- White Peacock 8
- Dorantes Longtail 1
Jim Egbert
Plantation Rd Gulf Shores
Baldwin County, AL
Mid 60s,wind switched from NE to S and from about two hours mid day butterflies were on the move.
- Monarch 5
Jim Egbert
Roscoe Rd,Orange Beach
Baldwin County, AL
The weather man got it right,and it was on my day off.Sunny and high temps in the low 70s midday.I found a good variety out and about.
- Clouded Sulphur 1
- Cloudless Sulphur 7
- Sleepy Orange 1
- Mourning Cloak 1
Ron Smith
Fort De Soto Park (east end of East Beach Woods)
Pinellas County, FL
Sue Tavaglione, a Pinellas birder and photographer, was at the east end of the East Beach Woods area of Fort De Soto Park when she spotted a hammock skipper at the edge of a section of mangroves. As far as I can tell, from researching it and talking with two area experts, it is the first Pinellas County documented record (perhaps the northern most Florida record?). We’ll watch this site for other hammock skippers as the year progresses.
- Hammock Skipper 1
Mark and Holly Salvato
Long Pine Key, Everglades National Park
Miami-Dade County, FL
- Palamedes Swallowtail 2
- Cloudless Sulphur 2
- Large Orange Sulphur 3
- Barred Yellow 1
- Little Yellow 2
- Bartram's Scrub-Hairstreak 3
- Red-banded Hairstreak 5
- Gulf Fritillary 12
- Zebra Heliconian 1
- Phaon Crescent 1
- Common Buckeye 4
- Florida Leafwing 2
- Florida Duskywing 1
- Baracoa Skipper 1
- Monk Skipper 1
- Twin-spot Skipper 1
Mark and Holly Salvato
Shark Valley, Everglades National Park
Miami-Dade County, FL
- Cloudless Sulphur 1
- Zebra Heliconian 2
- White Peacock 20
- Viceroy 1
- Three-spotted Skipper 1
- Least Skipper 8
- Palatka Skipper 6
- Twin-spot Skipper 1
- Ocola Skipper 4
Brian Kirshner
Burleigh Murray State Park
San Mateo County, CA
Temperature in the low 70’s. Very windy.
One unidentified Comma
- Oreas Comma 1
- Common Buckeye 4
- Black Swallowtail 1
- Cloudless Sulphur 1
- Little Yellow 1
- Red-banded Hairstreak 1
- Carolina Satyr 22
- Long-tailed Skipper 8
- Dorantes Longtail 5
- Horace's Duskywing 2
- Zarucco Duskywing 1
- Tropical Checkered-Skipper 2
- Clouded Skipper 1
- Fiery Skipper 3
- Whirlabout 1
- Ocola Skipper 6
Jim Egbert
Plantation Rd Gulf Shores
Baldwin County, AL
Very windy today, strong and westerly ; mid day temp low 60s.
The Question Mark was sighted while it was chasing the Monarch(f); the pursuit lasted at least 10mins; because of the amount of time it chased the Monarch. I think it was a pheromonal pursuit , rather a territorial defense. A case of looking for love in all the wrong places.
- Question Mark 1
- Monarch 1
Ron Smith
Sawgrass Lake Park
Pinellas County, FL
Late afternoon, mid 60s.
First swallowtail of the year!
FL (18)
- Spicebush Swallowtail 1
- Barred Yellow 1
- Zebra Heliconian 1
- Red Admiral 1
- White Peacock 5
- Horace's Duskywing 1
- Fiery Skipper 3
Ken Wilson
Alum Rock Park, San Jose
Santa Clara County, CA
I attempted to scout the Sonoran Blue area but the trail to that area is currently closed due to a previous mud or rock slide.
- Sara Orangetip 1 or 2
Jim Egbert
Plantation Rd Gulf Shores
Baldwin County, AL
Sunny but cool;AM temps low 40s,with afternoon temps in the low 60s. The wind was light and northerly.
- Monarch 1
- Cloudless Sulphur 6
- Little Yellow 4
- Sleepy Orange 1
- American Snout 1
- Question Mark 3
- American Lady 1
- Red Admiral 1
- Tropical Checkered-Skipper 1
Tom Poklen
Makahi Trail in the Makaula O'oma Tract of Honua'ula Forest Reserve
Hawaii County, HI
- Sleepy Orange 1
- Cabbage White 1
Jim Egbert
Oyster Bay Rd,Gulf Shores,Roscoe Rd Orange Beach ,and US Hwy 98 ,Elberta
Baldwin County, AL
Sunny, low 40s AM, low 60s mid day. Wind light and northerly, and changed to southerly mid afternoon. Cloudless Sulphurs that were so prevalent last week, was reduced a single sighting today. The general movement of sighting is northerly, no matter the wind direction. I hope this is a good sign of the end of our winter.
- Cloudless Sulphur 1
- Question Mark 1
- Painted Lady 2
- Common Buckeye 3
- Monarch 1
Ron Smith
Boyd Hill Nature Preserve
Pinellas County, FL
Upper 40s in the AM, but mid-60s by late in the day. Checked only the front acreage of the park and found quite a bit in an hour. A very worn and battered American Lady was a surprise.
- Cassius Blue 4
- Gulf Fritillary 4
- Zebra Heliconian 1
- American Lady 1
- Red Admiral 5
- Monarch 2
- Long-tailed Skipper 1
- Dorantes Longtail 1
- Horace's Duskywing 13
- Common Checkered-Skipper 1
- Fiery Skipper 16
John Heyse
Perkins Canyon, Mt. Diablo
Contra Costa County, CA
65-67F
Orange tip was my earliest.
Mourning Cloak
- Sara Orangetip 1
- Mourning Cloak 4
Jim Egbert
Roscoe Rd Orange Beach
Baldwin County, AL
I was surprised at the lack of butterfly movement. It was bright and sunny; wind had become southerly by 9am, and the temps had jumped into the low 60s by 10am., and topped out in the mid 70s. that afternoon.
- Common Buckeye 1
Jim Egbert
Plantation Rd Gulf Shores
Baldwin County, AL
The flowering lawn weeds have come back strong after the last freeze, and even with strong southerly winds a couple of Monarchs managed to take advantage of that food source.
- Monarch 2
Brian Kirshner
Burleigh Murray State Park
San Mateo County, CA
Light wind. Temperature in the mid 70s.
- Mylitta Crescent 1
- Satyr Comma 2
- Mourning Cloak 1
- Red Admiral 2
- Common Buckeye 3
Cloudy and mid 70s; light SE wind.