May 2023 Sightings

With Clinton Gibson and Don Fraser
2:35-5:00; 82, Sun and clouds

Fun day at the park. 10am to 3:30pm; Sun 100 percent. Look high up in the blooming sea grapes to find the Amethyst Hairstreaks. They oviposit on the sea grape flowers, and nectar there too. A good time was had by all (just me this time!). EP

In 45 minutes we found 5 Hairstreak species on Sparkleberry and drove 5 miles to Barbour Landing where we had 6 Hairstreak species adding 2 new Hairstreak species on Helitrope (Great Purple & Gray)! Numbers were low due to wind gusts with butterflies taking cover down in the Helitrope. A gorgeous fresh Gray Hairstreak was seen with binoculars before a wind gust took it away.

Our favorite spot with 6-8 Sparkleberry Bushes was Rockin! We had more White M, Banded and Striped along with Red-banded and Southern Oak Hairstreaks than in any one day (45 minutes). Despite wind gusts up to 25 mph our protected area with lots of trees had sunny, breezy conditions and 70 degrees. We shook the Sparkleberry and numerous Hairstreaks flew up into the oak trees displacing many more uncounted ones sunning on the lower oak leaves, it was quite a site!

Five minutes in our garden was just the start of a great day with both Banded and White M Hairstreaks! 70 degrees and sunny after several inches of rain following drought conditions.

Gust of 35 mph, sunny, and around 50 degrees. Was out for 1.75 hours.

With Clinton Gibson and Don Fraser
9:30 - 2:20; 71-82, Sun & clouds
The southern dusted skipper, aka Loammi Skipper, aka Atrytonopsis loammi, is variable in the strength of its markings. Images show this variability.

plus several unid’d duskywings.

Sunny and 74 degrees with wind gusts to 30 mph. We were about a week late due to rain most every day last week. About 75% of the roadside iris blooms were spent and we missed seeing Broad-winged, Two-spotted and Swarthy Skippers.

The Whirlabout was a lifer.
Plus several unid’d Duskywings.

Walked first part of weekly survey. 55 degrees, sunny, wind gust 35 mph. Out for 1.5 hours

Today we hiked a little further up the trail, seeing a swallowtail species as well as two other colorful fly-by butterflies which were too far away to ID. Phlox and Yarrow were in bloom.
Sunny, breezy, mid 60’s, 10:45-12:20.

Weather was clear, 82°-87°, 6-8mph winds
Surveyed from 3:30pm-6:00pm

R. Spink and B. Woodmansee

Sunny, 75 degrees, light wind. Nectar sources included Pinewoods Milkweed and Helitrope. Checkered White usually does not occur in Georgia’s Coastal counties.

Sunny, 75 degrees & light wind. Nectar source was Sparkleberry. The Azure was Holly Azure.

Partly cloudy, temps in mid/upper 50s

Butterflies were active after a cold spell with a lot of rain. Temp around 60 F this afternoon, and sunny. All species listed here were at the construction staging site south of the lake (including one ui orange or clouded sulphur); except one tiger swallowtail flying at the lake.

Partly sunny, 63degrees and breezy.

plus numerous unid’d duskywings.

Weather was mostly clear, 87°-89°, breezy
Surveyed from 3:00pm-5:15pm

R. Spink and B. Woodmansee

Weather was clear, 88°, calm winds
Surveyed from 12:45pm-1:35pm

R. Spink and B. Woodmansee

Weather was mostly clear-clear 74°-77°, calm winds
Surveyed from 9:00am-10:00am

R. Spink and B. Woodmansee

Light wind and softly-diffused sunlight from 2:10 to 2:50pm, with a temperature of 40°. Milbert’s Tortoiseshells were very actively chasing each other along trails through the woods of aspen, birch, cottonwood, and balsam poplar.

A beautiful day for early spring butterflying from 11:30am to 1:30pm. The lightly overcast sky gave softly diffused sunlight, with no wind and temperatures from 42° to 44°. Throughout my walk I could hear the sounds and see the sight of thousands of birds passing over and resting on the coastal flats below the trail. These included numerous Snow Geese, Greater White-fronted Geese, Canada and Cackling Geese, Sandhill Cranes, Greater Yellowlegs, and ducks of all kinds. Just a couple of weeks ago these flats were frozen, snow-covered, and silent. There’s still a fair amount of snow on the ground and very little new growth yet, but I also encountered lots of fresh bear scat. Butterflies are still limited so far to Milbert’s Tortoiseshells, basking in sunlit spots and chasing each other along the edge of the forest.

Unfortunately on West Virginia Whites here either. Again food plant seen. Sad state of things.

Unfortunately no West Virginia Whites. Food plant everywhere, but they seem to be gone from this traditional spot.

Range is in both Highlands & Polk Counties. 11:30 a.m.-5 p.m.; 82°-86°; winds 14-22 mph, partly cloudy all day. FL Dusted/Loammi Skipper survey to collect DNA samples. Nectar: thistles, polygala, pickerelweed, buttonbush, spermacoce, fleabane. LCooper, SFarnsworth, CGibson, RWalsh, AWhitlock

Most of the Juniper Hairstreaks appeared recently emerged; each of 2 preserves held them. More species were seen in the larger, more-meadowed preserve much later in day, with more sun at that hour. Flowers offering nectar were still a little minimal, but some early natives were in bloom such as Hepatica. No grass-skippers were noticed. Late-day sightings only for 2 locations.

11 a.m. to 1 p.m., sunny, and high 60’s
ID only 3 of about 6 Azures
and about 3 of 8 Duskywings

Mostly cloudy with some peeks of sun when observing. The amount of Cabbage Whites is increasing as there are fewer frosty mornings.

Finally a warm day with butterflies active.

Sunny, mid morning, 50’s to 60’s. Desert around 6000 ft. A lot of verbena, wallflower, and short stemmed evening primrose.

Partly cloudy, light breeze, 70 degrees. Finally a nice day after about 2 weeks of rain, clouds, and cool temps. Lots of activity!

Weather was mostly clear-partly cloudy, 78°-79°, 19mph wind gusts
Surveyed from 1:15pm-5:00pm

R. Spink and B. Woodmansee

Weather was mostly, 79°, 19mph winds
Surveyed from 9:30am-12:00pm

R. Spink and B. Woodmansee

76 degrees with overcast skies. We missed Little Metalmark here but found a few skippers on verbena.

Steelbridge Road is noted for its wildflower habitat. We didn’t find Delaware Skippers although we had them a few days ago on Iris on Old River Road. We checked Palmetto Blooms for Palmetto Skippers and other butterflies but it was just beginning to open & found none. We checked beautiful fresh Sparkleberry and found only one butterfly, an Oak Hairstreak.

Soft sunlight at 50° as I began at 3:40pm. I ended earlier than planned at 4:20pm because it became overcast. My streak of single-species butterflying continues, with a couple of Milbert’s Tortoiseshells found. I think we may need some days with brighter sun and high temperatures in at least the low fifties before the Mourning Cloaks and Green Commas begin to stir.

Species seen on May 6 and 7 at the listed cedar glade state natural areas in Wilson and Davidson Counties.

Mostly cloudy, with diffused sunlight as I started at 1:35pm and overcast as I finished at 2:50pm, with temperatures from 47° to 48° and light wind. Conditions weren’t optimal but I was glad for sightings of several Milbert’s Tortoiseshells. The one I photographed was vibrating its wings rapidly in a shiver to stimulate its metabolism as the sunlight waned. A Wilson’s Snipe winnowed tirelessly in the sky above throughout my walk, and I unintentionally flushed another along the trail. Sandhill Cranes seem to have settled again this year at the south end of the bog for nesting. Savannah Sparrows and Juncos were among the other newly-arrived spring birds I observed. There’s still plenty of snow in places, but it’s melting rapidly.

(XX-XXX). Beautiful day, plenty of sunshine, low humidity. Available thistle and bidens were utilized. FL YR ()

Weather was mostly clear, 78°-80°, calm-11mph winds
Surveyed from 9:45am-1:45pm

R. Spink and B. Woodmansee

Weather was mostly clear, 80°, 11mph winds
Surveyed from 2:30pm-4:00pm

R. Spink, and B. Woodmansee

One fresh male zabulon turned up on fleabane a little way down the path from the site.

Mostly sunny, 66 degrees, breezy. With Bob Gorman.

Sunny, windy, 70 degrees, 11:50-1:15PM

Baracoa Skipper was a lifer.

plus additional unid’d duskywings.

Stopped briefly to see if I could locate West Virginia White for the second year in a row. I did manage to track one down, and it was the only butterfly seen.

Weather was mostly clear, 79°, breezy
Surveyed from 9:00am-10:00am

R. Spink, and B. Woodmansee

Weather was mostly clear, 79°-81°, 8-11mph wind
Surveyed from 10:00am-12:30pm

R. Spink, and B. Woodmansee

Weather was partly cloudy, 81°, 8-11mph winds
Surveyed from 1:30pm-3:15pm

R. Spink and B. Woodmansee

A long, rugged hike produced six West Virginia White sightings on the Berkshire Co., Mass. side of the state line and five additional sightings on the Rensselaer Co., NY side. The butterflies stay close to the host plant, which appears to be Cardamine diphylla in this location. The host plant was only noticed near mountain seeps and small brooks, and there were large tracts of dry woods without butterflies in between.

not a good day for butterflying, 100% cloud cover, temperature around 75 degrees. Was out for 1.5 hours.

Sunny, little wind, 65-75 degrees. Out for 2.5 hours. This is the first survey done at the park. Most of the butterflies did not sit still so no pictures

9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. 73°-91°, sun all day, winds light. I was part of the management plan field trip so not really a survey as there were designated stops and only two stops had thistles close by. After field trip I returned to Cemetery Rd to look for skippers on thistles. Florida Dusted/Loammi was the only skipper I saw all day.

sunny, little wind, and near 80 degrees. 9:45 - 2:10

Sunny 80 degrees, finally. Most of the butterflies seen were along the Wildcat Canyon and High Meadow Trails.

West Virginia White was common at this location, with no Cabbage Whites seen. Toothworts were present along the wooded stream, while Garlic Mustard had invaded along the road edges. Butterflies were nectaring and ovipositing on both plants.

Monarch was unexpected. I didn’t see any milkweed up yet. West Virginia Whites are having a great year.

All males and all on damp sand along river.
Sunny and low 70’s

My first Monarch of the year. It seemed to be laying eggs on Whorled Milkweed.

Seen between Kitchawan and Yorktown.

My FOY rRd-banded Hairstreak — lousy but diagnostic photo. Most of the other butterflies were at the construction staging site; a few around the lake. The Spicebush Swallowtail was seen on my street nearby before I walked around the lake. Temp about 80 F; sunny with very few clouds.

(14-121). Partly cloudy and tamps reaching the mid-80s. FL YR (118).

Butterfly survey at Lost Maples. Includes most of the East Trail. Weather overcast, 73-81 F, and humid.

80 degrees and mostly sunny. Good selection of local butterflies on native helitrope in garden. Gardening so no time for photos but got good looks during the 5 hours.

Mostly sunny with increasing clouds and breezy from 5:20pm to 6:40pm, with temperatures from 58° to 59°. A beautiful evening to get out after a week in the office and cool, cloudy weather. I focused on searching along the trail on the west side of the bog because it provided the best early spring butterfly activity last year, and it gets more sunlight later in the day. Butterflies were active and not especially cooperative for photos. I was happy for my first of season Mourning Cloak and Green Comma. Wood frogs were very vocal during the first half of my visit.

Sunny, 80 degrees

Partly to mostly cloudy with a high cloud filter most of the day (about 3.5 hours total), breezy, 80s. First Spicebush Swallowtails of the year…3 at one time were chasing a lone Mourning Cloak. Funny thing - the Mourning Cloak was victorious in chasing all 3 away and was able to return to its spot in the middle of the trail basking in the sun. After sighting my FOY Black Swallowtails over 3 weeks ago, a lone female was finally spotted today. All Tigers were spotted up in the canopy…

Overcast with peaks of sun. Temp of 80 around 4:30pm

My lifer Southern Dogface. Finally.

(15-85). Partly cloudy and warm. Still pretty dry. FL YR (121).

9 a.m.-4:45 p.m. 75°-87°, winds 9-15 mph, partly cloudy. Look at the variation in the Dusted Skippers. They definitely own late April & May in Central FL natural areas when they are one of few skippers flying. Nectar: thistles, milkpea, lantana, pickerelweed, roserush, palmetto. LCooper, SFarnsworth, PGotter, EPerry, AWhitlock.

Partly sunny with periods of shade as clouds passed over, breezy and 57° from 1 to 2:30pm. I found a spectacular Green Comma just as the sun was concealed by clouds, and sat with it at length until the sun re-emerged and the Comma opened its wings for photos. Its ventral wing surfaces were still showing a lot of gray-green scaling in patches around the wing margins. A pair of Milbert’s Tortoiseshells seemed near to mating, with the smaller male creeping close behind the mostly still female as his wings vibrated rapidly.

Sunny but windy, 52° from 4:30 to 5:30pm. There’s still some snow in shaded parts of the trail and plenty of mud elsewhere. Tortoiseshells were sunning, patrolling, and pursuing each other along the trail.

Was mostly photographing plants so not watching so much for butterflies.

Sunny and breezy with temperatures from 54° to 56° from 11:20am to 12:30pm. The lake was ice free apart some shady edges, unlike many lakes in the region that are still partly frozen. Mourning Cloaks were found among birches by the trail on the south side of the lake, where sunlight was strongest.

Mostly cloudy, 84 degrees.
2:45 PM - 4 PM
Our first grass skipper of the year was a Sachem.

low to mid-70s, overcast, slight breeze

88 degrees with full sun.

Sunny, hot & humid, wind not a factor.

Very sunny but windy, with temperatures from 55° to 57° from 2:15pm to 4:20pm. I had gone first down to Windy Point along the coast since it tends to be mild there, and I wondered if wildflowers and Large Marbles were visible yet. Some small wildflowers had opened but the wind was very strong, and the air was cold. I saw a single Milbert’s Tortoiseshell buffeted by the wind gusts, but decided within minutes to return home and take my time at Baxter Bog instead. During my two hours at the bog I watched for Northern Spring Azures since I began to see them on May 7th last year, but didn’t observe any. The conditions were drier and warmer last spring, and most butterfly species seemed to emerge early. The few butterflies I saw today were very active - maybe because of the wind - and I didn’t manage any photos.

I stepped out onto our sunny front yard at about 12:10pm and saw a Green Comma fluttering around. Fortunately, it settled for a few moments and allowed me some photos - a first yard Comma of the season for me.

Long walk around this prime destination for butterflies in the county. Still early in the season. Most that I saw were single specimens scattered in different spots along my route.

Just around the north section of the lake and nearby path branch (on the watch for a Prothonotary Warbler which has shown up here again). FOY Red Admiral. Temp about 70 F and sunny after rain most of the day yesterday.

88 degrees and full sun after a tiny bit of rain last week.

Sunny, 85 degrees, humid.

After lots of days with rain and wind, butterfly season is picking up here.

10:15-12:20, Sunny, 68-74 degrees

Very warm, 80 degrees. Unfortunately trail paving and drainage re-routing eliminated all mudpuddling opportunities. Even in the usually productive glades and meadows very few butterflies to be seen.

Giant Swallowtail in a site where seen regularly in prior years; host-plants are present there, thus it is not a likely ‘migrant’ - the one male seen was hilltopping where has been found in prior years, and was battling with M. Cloaks and 1 Red-spotted Purple for sun and king-of-the-hill status; it stayed out of my camera’s attempts to get photos, but was seen well (alone, I shouted to no other human on seeing, “Giant!”, the first of the year in NY I’d found. The Cobweb Skippers seemed to be just-out at this location, where they are regular each May. Juniper Hairstreaks were out still in good numbers where the host tree is abundant, and a Gray Hairstreak pictured with a partly-eaten (bird?) wing was a slight surprise to me in this county. Many Pearl Crescents flying, both males and females and some seen in mating activities. The Spring Azures seen were a little worn, but not badly, and appeared all to be true spring forms. A few species seen were also possibly just-out, such as the E.-T. Blue, the copper, and the Red-spotted Purple, and perhaps the ringlets which can be abundant once their full flights are underway in the locations visited. Black and Spicebush Swallowtails also appeared very fresh. Amounts of nectar-flowers were much increased from a visit to these same sites ten days previously. My own best day of butterflying -so far- this spring, for a diversity of species, within NY state. 12 of the day’s species were photo’d, but most are not included for brevity. Note also that ticks were present in all sites!

This was my first visit to this location since last August. The puddling area on the trail was quite a bit smaller, but still drew in over 100 butterflies, mainly blues and duskywings.

10:55-12:20, partly sunny, windy, low 70s

Seen at several places in the forest and nearby.

84 degrees, mostly sunny with light breeze.

Clear, gentle breeze, 84 degrees. This is total species seen.

80F
plus some unid’d duskywings and grass skippers.

Sunny, light to moderate breeze, 69 to 73 degrees, 1-3:30 pm. Only second Bronze Copper I have seen at this site. FOY Tawny-edged Skipper. Also saw a Vanessa sp. that was likely an American Lady, but not seen well enough.

there was an irruption-type northward movement of Red Admirals today, despite a stiff opposing north wind. I saw several along the short line of vegetation at Field 10, during a short visit, and went for a quick look to a more protected site in the park’s west end and there were even more there, one more was seen as I was driving out of the park.

Several other butterfly watchers in our local discussion group reported them too.

10:00 - Noon. Cool, 58 degrees, heavy overcast and rain later in the morning ended activity.

Sunny, low-mid 70’s, light breeze, 1-3 pm. Surprised to see Henry’s Elfin this late, low density population here. FOY Little Wood-Satyr and Northern Pearly-eye.

River high and large puddles in the forest due to recent rains. A lot of mosquitoes. Partly cloudy, low 70’s

Bald Mountain Trail.1030-1200. 1.5 mile trail. Gorgon Copper was a lifer.

(15-116). Warm with little breeze and very little nectar sources. Primarily looking for blues and metalmarks. With R.Peacock and T.Adams.

During two walks this afternoon. Temp in 60’s; sunny.

A quick stop by here late in the afternoon after surveying Tosohatchee WMA proved to be worthwhile. Water Dropwort was in bloom and the hairstreaks were loving it. With Clint & Dana Gibson, still looking for Dukes’ Skipper, which none were found. Clouding up and finished with a light drizzle, 4pm to 5:45p; A good time was had by all!

Met with Clint & Dana Gibson for a Dukes’ Skipper Survey. I also surveyed the open areas of the park for other butterflies. Powerline Road is closed at the first bridge south, due to heavy damage to bridge and roads in last season’s historic flooding. Weather was sunny, clear, and hot. No Dukes’ were found but there were plenty of other butterflies. A good time was had by all.

Cloudy, cool, breezy, mid-60s. Stubborn cloud bank and cool temps put a damper on numbers.

Vegetation is still green with abundant wildflowers. Butterflies, not so many, but a good variety.

Open pine habitat with boggy ground

Mostly sunny, windy, and 55° to 58° from 2:05pm to 4:10pm. Things are greening rapidly now but it still feels chilly, and there was no sign of newly-eclosed butterfly species yet. The wind and skittish butterflies made photographs a challenge, but I was happy for sightings of all three of our local species that overwinter in Anchorage as adults. While watching the Green Comma in a swampy part of the bog and hoping it would come closer, I noticed movement in the woods beyond. A tiny moose calf, probably just a few days old, moved between the trees and then laid down for a nap. Mom was probably browsing nearby so I stayed especially vigilant and kept my distance. A mother moose protecting her small calf can be very dangerous.

Mostly cloudy, windy, and 53° from 12:56pm to 1:50pm. Poor butterflying conditions but we’ve had overcast weather and cool temperatures for most of the past week. In brief periods of relative sun, hardy Milbert’s Tortoiseshells were basking and patrolling along the trail despite wind gusts. New growth is coming now but the only wildflowers I saw were some tiny patches of mustards in one spot, plus dandelions along the road by the trailhead.

Albuquerque foothills. Low 60’s, hazy, a lot of aster, whirling butterfly flower, apache plume, and verbena. Some prickly pear cactuses blooming

Gardening on a cool, cloudy day always watchful of the butterflies we are seeing. The Southern Oak Hairstreaks were all on our neighbors native blooming palmetto.

Not the most ideal conditions but we were in the area. 2:30 - 4:00 PM, overcast, low 60s and breezy. The Hobomok, Zabulon, and Dusted Skippers and the Little Wood-Satyrs were all first-of-year.

Partly sunny, around 70 degrees. 3pm

sunny, mid-60’s, 11:30 to noon
first brood of Pipevines in full swing

Cloudy and then bright and sunny, breezy, and 55° from 3:10pm to 4:35pm. A large cloud blocked the sun when I first arrived so I went to a spot along the trail where yesterday I had seen the only small patches of tiny white flowers. I was hoping for my first Large Marbles of the season and figured if I stayed by the flowers one might show up once the sun came out. A Milbert’s Tortoiseshell clung to the flowers in the shade, and remained there the entire time I was present. When the cloud passed and the sun came out, a small white butterfly bobbed down the trail but didn’t stop, and then flew up over the brush. I figured if I waited by the flowers it might return. Nearly an hour later, as I was getting restless, the Large Marble returned and nectared at the wildflowers so my wait had paid off. Better still, back at the car I saw a second Large Marble winding its way along the road, skipping past dandelions and nectaring only from small white flowers. When it paused to rest I got some of my best Large Marble photos to-date. The Marbles were my first newly-eclosed butterflies of the season here in Alaska.

Mostly sunny with occasional shade or diffused light from passing clouds, breezy and 53° to 55° from 1:24pm to 2:58pm. I was watching for any first Northern Spring Azures of the season, but butterflies were scarce and no Azures were seen.

Mostly cloudy with more sun towards the end, windy, 70s. FOY Hobomok Skippers and Red-spotted Purples…apologies for some of the blurred photos as the wind wasn’t allowing them to sit too long. Zabulon numbers also good. Also FOY Peck’s Skippers - unfortunately photos were completely inadequate. Huge push northward of Red Admirals this year!

Weather was hazy-partly cloudy, calm winds, 52°-78°
Surveyed from 8:30am-4:15pm

We went to several different locations.

R. Spink, D. Dunlap, T. Rutgers, and S. Rutgers

Warm 80 degree day, lots of Checkerspots and Ringlets. One Ringlet was quite dark below for this time of year.

sunny, slight breeze, warm

2p-3p 70 deg

71 degrees and filtered sun

I have never seen so many zebras before. I know I had at least 4, but think I had a few more, though hard to tell with them zooming back and forth so much. There was plenty of their food plant around which I had also never seen so much of. Also the farthest north I’ve seen them. All smaller ones than the previous one I reported nearby.

all getting salts at the edge of the river. The zebra was a large individual and all swallowtails were fresh.

Pipevine Swallowtail was a nice surprise; this species is more-regular just a half-mile mile or so west, closer to the Hudson River (and there is a major colony of these on the west side of that river, along the Palisades of N.J. at Englewood Cliffs). The Red-banded Hairstreaks were out in nice numbers, as is also being seen elsewhere in the NYC region, across thru some of N.J. and etc. 2 Juvenal’s Duskywings were a bit worn. 2 Zabulon Skippers were fresh-looking, and were the only grass-skippers noted in a modest walk in just a portion of this large park.

1100-1330, Lower Meadow Trail to Wildcat Loop Trail, 5.2 miles. Sunny with temps in the high 60s. Northern Checkerspot and Lorquin’s Admiral were both lifers for me.

Did second survey of area. Not near the number of butterflies as last month probably due to early butterflies have died and waiting for adults to eclose. I was out for 2 hours, around 75 degrees and sunny.

This trail runs alongside the Colorado River. Today was partly sunny in the high 60’s with a light breeze.

Sunny with filtered light from the western wildfire smoke, light breeze at times, upper 70s. FOY Little Wood-Satyr. Probably a couple of glimpses of a Hairstreak species or two, but nothing would land.

Sunny and 70s

Red-banded Hairstreak perched next to aphids

Outskirts of Belen, mid morning. Marshy area with plenty of mosquitoes, sunflowers, bindweed, chocolate flower, apache plume, and gaillardia. Mid 70’s

Sunny and upper 70s

sunny but cool, low 60’s, 1:30 to 3 p.m.

Many of sightings were hill-topping, or seemed to be, as I was hiking along ridgetop most of the time out afield. The route was on the Long Path trail north of Hook Mt. in Nyack, thru S. Haverstraw and to a bit west of there. A Dun Skipper seemed slightly early, but we can get spring emergences ahead of larger emergence in summer for that species. Many native wildflowers were in bloom along this hiking route.