Recent sightings

Summer Azure was ovipositing on Mock Orange bud. First time I've seen them use this as foodplant. Also, it was somewhat ragged, so it has been out for a while.

[Intriguing report of this multi-host-plant species. Also, our first log report of summer azure in 2022. jc]

Henry’s was very worn and tattered. Zabulon was found on this same date last year in the same spot in our woods.

6 sp = our yard high count for year so far.

Monarch ovipositing on common milkweed, most likely Generation 1 – daughter of Mexican over-winterers. Sachem was a female.

During guided walk from 9-11am. Monarch was right at the butterfly garden at 9:00am where we started. Landed twice with wings closed, just resting, not nectaring.

In the 70's, sunny. Orange sulphur flew by

My first Gray hairstreak and Spicebush.

The first skippers of any species we have had in our yard this year – in this slow spring.

Quick stop by our village butterfly garden. These were my first skipper of the year.

[And one of two reports of sachem we have today to add the species to our log's list for 2022. jc]

Seen during a 61/2 hr stint of yardwork. Could not refind the sachem after going in for the camera.

[Our log's first sachem of 2022. jc]

humid and sunny; male spicebush patrolling

Observations seen while birding this brand new park that just opened last week.

Incidental sightings during the afternoon while birding in the park today.

This was a brief stop at 4:00 on my return from Cherry Hill. The two duskywing photos are of the same bfly. I have lightened the ventral shot to show off the hw leading edge dots. However, the dorsal shot looks more like a wild indigo to me than a Juv. Duskywings are flat out confusing.

[Our log's first dusted skipper of 2022. Good to see. jc]

The Silver-spotted skipper was only about 2 yards from where I had seen the caterpillars on black locust saplings last fall. The picture is from a 2nd sighting later the same day when it was nectaring on Amsonia not too far from the first sighting. I also saw a Snowberry Clearwing moth on woodland phlox- first sighting for me this year.

[The first photo of silver-spotted on our log in 2022. jc]

Incidental sightings while birding in the park. Cloudy, warm, intermittent periods of drizzle.

A fresh male

[Our log's first zab of 2022 – and the first since last year's last one, found by Dave also in his garden on 10-21-21. A cool parallel. jc]

Quick visit–sun and warm

My FOY silver spotted, seen along the field edge in the NW corner of the park.

[Only the 3rd silver spotted reported on the log so far in 2022. Should be more soon! jc]

In spite of high winds, these tough butterflies were hanging in and trying to stay in the sheltered areas.

3:30 to 4:40 pm. Sunny to start and then clouded up. Windy. 67 degrees when finished.

1:50 to 3:10 pm. Sunny, very windy. Temps @70 degrees.

Rt. 70 powerline cut northeast of Spring Lake Blvd / Rattler Rd. 10:30 am to 1:20 pm. Sunny, very windy with east winds @10-15 mph. 68 degrees when finished. Duskywing sp. were fly-bys. Photo of a female Cobweb Skipper.

[Quite a list – especially given the day's winds – including our first cobweb report for BUR in more than five years and only our second holly azure anywhere in South Jersey in 2022. Good work, Tom! jc]

Sunny, 60’s with gusty winds!

Late afternoon, sunny. Eastern Tiger Swallowtail flew through back yard on a gust of wind.

Incidental sighting while working in the yard in mid-afternoon.

Early afternoon visit. 70 degrees and mostly sunny.

[Our log's first southern cloudywing of 2022 and, even better and more important, the highest count of cobweb skipper for many years, that I remember, at least. Might be our highest ever. Need to do some checking back! jc]

[Update, 5-7-22: Yes, this is the highest count of cobweb skippers ever recorded on our SJBP log, 2008-2022. The previous high was 21 found along the Dennisville RR tracks on 5-21-2009 by Will Kerling, "5 females, 16 males / all very worn." We have had very few other double-digit counts of this species over the years. The most recent of those are 12 found along Estell Manor Road in CUM on 5-2-2021 by Jack Miller and 11 found on the RT 83 powerline in CMY on 5-14-2020 by Steve Glynn, Harvey Tomlinson, and Ernie Hahn. Can we hope this high count hints at a possible good year for cobweb skipper, which has seemed a troubled species in our area in recent years? jc]

11:40 - 2:00 warm with sun and clouds. hoary elfins were very active! most duskywings were flying so few positive ids.

Obs. made between 1:10 & 3:45, mostly sunny and temps near 70. What a difference a year makes! Last year this area was dismal with a severely mowed down powerline and mostly flooded habitats. fortunately the Frosted Elfin colony persists. It's Baptisia host is evident as well. Orangetip was a female.

Obs. made between Noon & 1 p.m. with a follow up visit from 4-5 p.m. At noon clouds began to move out but was quite windy, temps in low 60's. With warmer and calmer conditions I returned on my way home. I was about 5 min. from leaving when a Cobweb Skipper appeared at the edge of the powerline. A nice end to a productive afternoon.

Obs. made from 8 a.m. to 11:40, Cloudy and 60. First butterfly of the morning was at 9:20. Kicked up an Eastern Tiger not wanting to take flight as temps were too low. Most azures showed considerable scale wear. Did not spend much time looking close at the azures today.

Hairstreak was liking the white azalea blossoms.

5:15, sunny, 63 degrees. American Lady was nectaring on Fleabane.

[This is only our 4th report of spicebush for 2022 and our first north of CMY. jc]

Butterflies seen from 10-11:30am. My FOY tiger swallowtail, eastern tailed blues, and checkered skipper.

[Our log's first common checkered skipper of 2022. Good find. jc]