April 2015 Sightings

64F

Hiked from the reef parking lot down to the end of the road and then about a mile on trail to the right. I was just about to leave and when I crossed the stream closest to the trail head I saw an Elf!

mid-50s, partly cloudy, first butterfly of the year

Nectaring on purple Phlox.

Walking through the ground of the Temple of the Goddess, several Cabbage butterflies on the local plants.

Bug-free, with temps reaching 80. The leafwings were a major highlight. Photo of Florida Leafwing taken along the LPK Walking Trail (on this day) by Randy Harrod. FL (81).

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail sipping nectar on a Myers Lemon Tree.

With Jane Lampkin
79 degrees, bright sun 9:30 - 11:30

70F

Tried to sight another Hessel’s Hairstreak; no luck; and found the host plant Eastern White Cedar only a few meters away. Mostly cloudy and in the 70s,with a southerly breeze.

w/Randy Harrod. Short, one-hour stay. FL (82).

Elfins spaced out along about a mile of sandy equestrian trail through pine-oak-heath forest with abundant American holly; very fresh and probably all males establishing territories; aerial skirmishes observed; also frequently observed taking nutrients from moist sandy soil; no apparent nectar source present.

With Jane Lampkin 78 degrees, one hour

Heavy dew in the clover early AM between Roscoe Rd & The Beach Express.Southerly Breeze and mid 60s. Warmed into the 70s by noon and mostly sunny.

Weather warm. 74degrees and sunny. Elevation 2500 Feet.

The Yucca Giants were emerging from tubes or tents from the base of the yucca plants. See photo of Yucca Giant perched on tube drying its wings before first flight. First day this season over 80 degrees.

First Butterflies for 2015 !

Butterflies seen on a Tennessee Native Plant Society field trip.

65F

Rain AM;upper 60s;cleaned early afternoon little temp change,with notherly wind

10 members enjoyed the butterfly walk from 10 - 4. Mostly sunny with one brief afternoon shower, temperature 85.

Around noon, windy and 60.

66-72F

Few nectar sources other than Daisy Fleabane, Yellow/Purple Thistle and Bidens alba.

Most everything flying was moving through, patrolling and tough to get to sit.

Windy, little morning sun

At last, the first butterfly of the season here in north Jersey! Cool (temps in the low to mid-50’s), windy and overcast… I guess it got tired of waiting for optimal conditions. The only other Lepidoptera in evidence were a fresh Grote’s Sallow (Copivaleria grotei) and abundant day-flying micro-moths, mostly Bare-pateched Oak Leafrollers (Pseudexentera spoliana).

1:10-5:00 pm EDT. Excellent spring weather: sunny to mostly sunny, 61 - 67 deg F, wind calm early increasing to 10-15 mph in late afternoon.

Am sunny and cool,wind was easterly;temps started the day in the low 50s,and warmed to near 70 by noon.This area has three colors of clover;the white is fading,the red and yellow are still going strong.

Always a great place for Mourning Cloak. Actual number probably over several dozen (I just walked for a couple of hours on the south one third of the reservation).

After such a cold March, great to see these overwintering butterflies!

Before today, the only leps I could find were the winter moths and some Sallows!

Sunny with temps in the low 60’s. A bright individual feeding at tree sap… the first Eastern Comma I’ve seen in my yard!

1st butterfly of the year!

About two to three weeks’ delayed emergence this year owing to persistent cold nights in March.

Sunny day temps AM 60s low 80s PM. Its that time of year were the weather is stable and the same from one day to the next.The plants that had been damaged by the winters freeze have recovered.

The majority of Celastrinas were marginata, but at least one was lucia

along a damp stretch of dirt road with leached salts

1st trip north of Interstate 10 on the east side of the county this year. I found a lot of activity in this area last fall. Heavy sea fog in the AM, burned off by 10am.

With Jane Lampkin
86 degrees

20 minutes in a very small field of flowers for market

80s, azalea time, first Cloudless Sulphur of the year.

With Jane Lampkin
80 degrees and rising

The WMA is found on both side of the Perdido Rive which is lined with White Cedar; Florida’s on the east side and Alabama’s on the west side, parking is only allowed on the Alabama side of the bridge. As protected as the river is it did not produce as wide a variety as did the Bee Tree Creek location.

3-5 PM. Low 80s, mostly sunny.

With Jane Lampkin, Karen Finch and Bill & Jan Pierce
mid-80’s, 3.5 hours
Blues haven’t woken up yet. Most species were fresh but the Variegated Fritillaries were pretty worn. One was observed laying eggs on Passion Vine.

76F

The Bee Tree Creek has a large number of American Holly in bloom,with an old dirt road bed that has a good succession of environments from high and dry with sandy soil, to a ground water seep area with clay soil, to the mucky and boggy bottom of the creek bed.
The Weeks Bay NERR, Pitcher Plant Bog, has another colony of Pearl Crescents this year.

2 to 4 pm

Few sightings, scent of insecticide in the air; the ball fields had been sprayed a short time before. Everything sighted was on the wing, the only things nectaring were a few bumble bees, wasps, and one lone skipper.

5pm….headed your way on a strong southern wind

Loop of Canyon (Canyon Hollow Trail -> Ghost Falls Trail ->Brock’s Point Trail -> Clark’s Trail).

Very surprised to see a Dainty Sulpher in early April at ~5700 feet. First one I’ve seen UT.

These pictures are of a male and female of the “sequoia” subspecies of Mustard White.

Partly sunny, high in the mid 80s, windy; auto route to Lake Drummond and parts of Jericho Ditch, Lynn Ditch and Washington Ditch. Sleepy Oranges with “winter form” coloration.

First dark form female Eastern Tiger of the year spotted today.

activity around MM27 to MM32, at ~6,000 ft

At this time most other years, Cabbage Whites would be numerous.

With all the cold nights, very delayed emergence.

This list reflects the Decatur and Hardin County portions of the Clifton Bend spring count, it is not the final tally. The Yucca Giant-Skipper was seen last year, but was photo-documented this year for a new county record for Decatur County.

Windy and cool, temps in the mid-50’s, some clouds.

With Bob Ford and Dennis Olle

Totals from one of two groups from the NABA Annutteliga Hammock count. Ron Smith, leader; Julie Appleget, John and Jane Lampkin, Mike and Effie Smith, participants
Temps in the 80’s

The Banded Hairstreak (image) shows much more orange than usual as is sometimes seen in Florida individuals.

Also 2 unidentified Cloudywing/Duskywing

Last year I had no sighing of Zebra Swallowtail;the host plant,paw paw, were present,but nether adult nor cats were found.This was the 1st time this year I had gone back to examine the host for evidence of cats or adults.None were found.

2 to 4:30 pm; 70 degrees and sunny
Tentative id on the Henry’s; first Elfins I’ve seen at this location

Outside church, morning service.

Marge Gorton and I saw 4 Eastern Comma’s. First of the season! After this hard winter it was nice to see butterflies. Welcome spring!

4 Mourning Cloaks 1st of year in Western Mass

Only walked 2.5-3 miles of the trail. The rest was covered by snow.

With Jane Lampkin, Don and Liz Grozis, Anna Simandl
Temps mid 80’s

One-and-a-half hour walk, 4:30—6:00 p.m.
Temperatures, 56—58 degrees, but mostly sunny.

Clear, sunny, temps in the mid- to high 50’s. Single Mourning Cloak flew through my yard…

Clear and sunny, temps in the high 50’s to low 60’s. First Spring Azures of the year. Insect diversity was pleasantly high, including the first dragonfly of the season (a Common Green Darner).

Quick 30 minute walk of the dogs. First Spicebush spotted this year.

Took an hour’s walk at lunch, during which it started to become overcast, but sunny, breezy and temps in the low 60’s at first.

Spent the day in the field in various parts of Green Ridge State Forest, concentrating primarily on exposed shale and shale barrens. Sunny, still and quite warm, high temp topped out at 80F. In bloom: Various field cresses, field pansy, Dutchman’s breeches, coltsfoot.

In the shaded ephemeral pond area near the creek. Wouldn’t sit long enough for a picture.

With Jane Lampkin
Temp 78-82
Amusing image is of a Ceraunus Blue on a Hatpin Flower

I checked the 200 yard long, 15 yard across field down at the end of the street. A ditch runs along one side and houses, the other. In 45 minutes…

One Tiger came to puddle, then a second, I could see a third in the distance and yes, it landed in the same place.

Among the first few county records . This was a worn female laying eggs on Winter Vetch ( Vicia villosa ) .

Sunny and warm, mid- to high 60’s, with slight breeze. Seen during 90 minute walk along main road.

With Jane Lampkin and Karen Finch
84-88 some clouds
Nice seeing abundant Monarchs!

Wednesday butterfly walk found 33 species under cloudy skies, including an East-Mexican White-Skipper and a spectacular American Lady aberration.

This day was the 1st in several that there was a break in the rain.The break aloud me to get out do some sighting.It was made easy because with all the rain the ligustrum has popped into full bloom.

First Cabbage Whites of the season! Sunny, breezy, temps in the high 60’s.

Mix of sun, clouds, and showers; some wind; high around 70. A wide variety of habitats makes this new park an excellent place for butterflies. Pine Elfin flew from the ground into a scrub pine (Pinus virginiana).

First Cabbage White of the season seen at this location !

With Jane Lampkin
80-86 Some clouds

My first newly emerged butterfly of the year!

First butterfly of the season that I saw.

A break in the weather mid day allow me to get out for some sightings; everything was wet, and in the short time I was out I came across 5 snakes, all non poisonous.

I counted butterflies on the trails at the Grave Creek Bridge, followed by driving along Grave Creek Road. This locale is 22 miles northwest of Grants Pass. Temperatures started at 51 degrees and hit 70 degrees at 2:30. Lots of butterfly activity mud-puddling at the rivers edge.

With Jane Lampkin
80 cloudy with some sun
Most interesting find was the Gulf Fritillary color variant (see image).
Second place goes to the stunningly fresh Oak HS

Falcate Orangetips were both males

Late afternoon walk. Mostly cloudy.

Large snowstorm on Tues/Wed - left 10+ inches on trail. Much has melted. These are the survivors I saw.

My first comma slam since 2011 and the first Satyr Comma reported in WI since 2012.

First butterfly sighting at home for me.

Welcomed the first butterfly of 2015 in SE Michigan today. It’s the Cabbage White! The first to come every spring and the last one that leaves in the autumn.

1st. butterflies of the year.

after two days of warm weather, my first spring-emergent butterfly of 2015 (without having to get on an airplane)

Saw my first butterfly of the season. It was an Eastern Tiger S
wallowtail.

Warm sunny day in high 70’s.

Numbers were low despite sun and temps in the high 70’s. Saw one dark anglewing at a distance that may have been an Eastern Comma but wasn’t seen well enough to count. Had 5 Cabbage Whites on the drive to and from the park, but none whatsoever in the park itself! Highlight of the walk was actually a day-flying moth, The Infant (Archiearis infans), a lifer for me!

One-and-half-hour, late-afternoon walk on the warmest day of the year. (Mid-70s)

My first Spring Azures of the year, and first Falcate Orangetip of the year.

But surprised not to see a single anglewing or Mourning Cloak, despite checking out the areas where I’ve observed them in the past in the spring.

Meanwhile, only this weekend, Cabbage Whites were becoming common alongside roads in southeastern Pennsylvania & neighboring Delaware and Maryland.

w/Randy Harrod. Flies were outrageous at the south end of the refuge drive, but were nearly non-existent at the north end. FL (90).

My 1st sightings of Spring Azures

Sun came after AM rain; the ligustrum hedge has dozens of humming birds, but only one butterfly.

First sighting of year. Seen briefly at base of rock face, definite stonecrop habitat.

Seen laying eggs on a bay cedar (Suriana maritima) at the Cape Florida Lighthouse. Picture taken by M. Avello.

With Jane Lampkin
Early outing with temps 76-82

Rain stopped after six days, still cool, 60s.

69F. Also unidentified blue.

The butterfly garden/landscaping near the Cave Creek Canyon visitor center was excellent.

With Melanie Weiss (photos), visiting from Wash. state; Partly cloudy, humid 89F, three hours. We were thrilled to see many Metalmarks, which are uncommon in the county.

First Red Spotted Purple and Pearl Crescent of the year.

~1.5 miles and back out.

Sunny all day;1st time in a week.

Falcate Orangetips just out here; American Ladys not in mint condition, Red Admiral much brighter, but it and the ladys likely migrants. Bluish Spring Moths also noted. Temp. in 60’s & sunny.

70-75 F, light winds, mostly sunny

At two Carolina Satyr colony sites, none could be found. Maybe post rain, sunny weather or to early AM.

Sunny but quite windy, temps in the low 70’s. Also saw an unidentified anglewing. Number for Spring Azures is conservative. Was disappointed to see “Humphrey’s Insect/Pest Control” literally hosing down the daffodil beds outside one of the park buildings with some sort of chemical. That cannot be helping anything.

With Karen Finch, Jane Lampkin, Laurel Rhodes, Melanie Weiss
Temps mid-80’s
Image is of Orange-barred Sulphur on Coral Bean

Went out to the Bird and Butterfly Garden to check the pump and saw 12 species in 5 minutes. Love it when the wild coffee is blooming!

Nectaring on Golden Currant

From 10;30 AM to 2:30 PM. Warm, windy and humid.

This appears to be a Pipevine Swallowtail that overwintered here or nearby because it lacks color and is quite worn. This would be the first appearance of a Pipevine here this year. It appeared small and was flying weakly.

Flew from ground into Virginia Pine trees

Mostly cloudy around 60 degrees.

Sunny morning heavy dew early, temps in the mid 60s. Ligustrum bloom is at its peek, but it is not of interest to the butterflies around here.

Mostly Cloudy 1-3:30 PM

86 Degrees
10 minutes in a 50’ double row of commercially-grown flowers. The market borders the Cockroach Bay Preserve and pulls in species from there.

Mostly Cloudy; strong SE breeze of the Gulf. Lantana was the flower of the day at the Fort; but more hummingbirds than butterflies.

64F

88 Degrees

With Jane Lampkin
78-82
Eight Queens were very fresh and “sapping” on recently cut shrub saplings.
One had a birthmark on the left HW as shown. At first I thought it was a hole in the wing, but it is actually black scales.

With Karen Finch (photos),Melanie Weiss, Jean and Bill Evoy. Temp. 90F, partly cloudy; 6 hours in the field. Slow skipper day even though 100s of Pickerel Weed plants were in bloom. Recent controlled burn had scorched park vegetation along park road for about 1 mi. Brazilian Skippers were in larval form.

1 pm to 2:30 pm. Also three duskywing sp, that I didn’t get on, that were probably Sleepys.

Only one female Falcate Orangetip after 3 hours of searching (they were out in numbers on this date last year). Compton Tortoiseshell was quite ragged but easily identifiable. Be warned if you want to go to Mountainside, there were clouds of annoying flies and crowds of even more annoying teenagers.

cool+breezy in mid 50’s
My 1st MA Spring Azure(lucia form?)sighting
Also 1st Cabbage Whites we’ve seen.

Storms early, mostly cloudy, and more storms mid afternoon.

FL (93)

also saw a non-IDed Duskywing

With Jane Lampkin and Karen Finch
87-89 degrees, hot and humid

88 degrees
The Fulvous Hairstreak is a nice addition to our yard list

Plenty to see on a warm, bugless, 85-degree day. FL (95).

Late start, mostly sunny, mid 80s. It seems that we are in a transition from abundance to widely scattered for the early starters. Phaon Crescents are starting to form colonies, and Carolina Satyrs are being replaced with Little Wood-Satyrs.

67F

70F

overcast, a few breaks of sun, high 50s…belated post, consistent with slow spring here in the NE…still better than a count of 0 butterflies at the same site 8 days earlier; 1st three flushed by walking or bicyclists in the case of the American Lady

Mid 50s, mostly sunny, calm.
Thanks to a post from 2014 by Henry Kindervatter, I’ve been checking this site every couple of days since April 15th. Finally saw the Falcate Orangetips today. Quite exciting for a novice butterfly watcher.

Two different Grizzled Skippers seen.

74F

Rain again today; only one sighting (it was looking for cover.

Warm and breezy this morning, finally seeing some increased butterfly activity in my yard, although not much diversity yet. Still haven’t seen a swallowtail this year, this is the latest it’s been for me since I took up the hobby.

Sunshine, 10:30 - 11:30 am. 47F going to 80F, low wind. This road has muddy spots on the shoulders/ditches in spring early summer. Video of habitat here: https://youtu.be/HoT3chsOpws. Survey in afternoon would have had more diversity/numbers.

11 am to 1 pm; 2.5 miles of trails in glorious spring weather (sunny, temps rising from 60)

Started at 4:30pm.
Starting elevation 7850 ft.

Cool and mostly cloudy, brisk northerly wind;temps in lower 70s.

Also saw a small fritillary, probably a Meadow Fritillary, but can’t be 100% sure to count it. Sulphur was the first of the year. Had my first Eastern Tiger Swallowtail of the year on the drive to the park (alongside Route 287 South near Hardyton). Additionally, there was a beautiful Grapevine Epimenis (Psychomorpha epimenis) nectaring at a flowering tree.

1st-of-year swallowtail for us; wildflowers out in modest variety & quantity; still too early for elfins & hairstreaks at this site. Sunny & 70 F.

Walked the trail from 12:20 to 1:50. Sunny but cooler than yesterday, temps in the mid-60’s. High count for Cabbage Whites so far this year!

Temperatures finally warming up to a high of 80 degrees. I saw a first-of-season Variable Checkerspot today. Butterfly activity is increasing.

1st time to this area Mobile-Tensaw Delta WMA on the northwest side of Baldwin Co. and it held some butterflies that I haven’t seen in the south part of the county since February. The day was sunny but started cold for us mid 50s,warmed into the upper 70s.

67-77F
Wood-Nymph (boopis) is very nearly an early record.