December 2016 Sightings

Hard to believe late date for Admiral is 12-31,1-1
I'm guessing this one won't make that.

This field has plenty of mustard bloom. At least 4 white form sulphurs.

Stopped for a quick look to see if this location will hold sulphurs like December 2015.

I saw 4 male Common Buckeyes flying together in a tight circle over territory.

The early morning hours were gorgeous with full sun and no clouds. A field was lite up with sulphur activity - 14 Orange Sulphurs and a fresh, Clouded Sulphur!!

Mostly sunny, 57 degrees. Out of the wind back here. I wasn't expecting butterflies!

Tagged monarch.

Sunny until 1:30; mid 50's. Still a few asters and goldenrod in bloom.

54 Sunny and windy. Just over 2 hrs of looking provided only 5 butterflies. My mouth dropped when a flying Orange Sulphur turned out to be a Sleepy Orange! Jean Gutsmuth first spotted it when flushed from the leaf litter. It flew (flashing a lot of orange) to a nearby tree where it landed on the lowest branch under one of the leaves. After poking my head trying to find it, I was unable. After I gave the branch a vigorous shake it finally flew and landed nearby. My first for the month and county.

Moderator's Note: Goodness! What a find! Sleepy orange is always rare in South Jersey, and here Chip and Jean have found what seems to be an adult in "winter form." This report is also our latest report ever (old record = 11-22-2010). jc

Kicked up a couple of Sulphurs on this wind swept field.

Only Lep seen

Flushed two Orange Sulphurs in 45 degree weather with stiff winds!

Sunny, windy and 50 degrees.

Found 5 buckeyes here yesterday and felt lucky to find one buckeye today in this location. The weather was harsh with the constant breezes and the temperatures, barely, reaching middle forties.

My eyes caught a flash of orange in the gardens when I went out for the mail. I looked down and found this Monarch. She looked like she was trying to pump up her wings so I moved her to a more protected area as winds are 25-30 MPH right now at 48 F. Also found 2 Black Swallowtail chrysalis.

Orange Sulphurs and a Clouded Sulphur were basking in the early sun at 45 degrees and little wind.
Photo of a basking Orange Sulphur.

Discovered a female Sachem near a wall at Acme Market and an Orange Sulphur on the MTBP.

Found a lone buckeye at this site.

A female Orange Sulphur did not mind a day in the high forties. It was moving around on its own.

Flushed two Orange Sulphurs and it was around 50 degrees.

Black Swallowtail chrysalis continue. Monarch continues lower left wing deformed but able to get between Lantana and zinna flowers in the back yard.

Monarch continues to feed in the back yard. Remains close to the ground. Black swallowtail chrysalis continue 48 F, cloudy with very brief periods of sun

Cloudy, 48 degrees, north winds. I wasn't expecting butterflies! The Monarch was in low flight when the sun came out briefly.

2 Black Swallowtail Chrysalis Continue & found 2 monarch Caterpillars when working in the garden late afternoon on 12/13. They all continue today.

Moderator's Note: Interesting find! And Beth had monarch cats in her garden last December as well – all the way to New Year's Eve, 2015. jc

Discovered six different Orange Sulphurs before 10:30 am. Some were very greenish on their undersides. It was around 43 degrees with full sun. Photos of all individuals.

Windy 15 -25 MPH, partly sunny temp's mid 40's 2 Black Swallowtail chrysalis & 2 Monarch caterpillars continue.

Moderator: Seems like two tough monarch cats! jc

After an arctic blast of weather for over two days and nights, I found 8 Orange Sulphurs that survived temperatures ranging from 15 to 25 degrees, including high winds, to fly again! It was sunny and towards 60 degrees this morning.

[Moderator: More evidence that butterflies are tougher than they look. jc]

Discovered an Orange Sulphur laterally basking in full sun, no wind and 33 degrees. It flew when I pressed the shutter button and escaped the frame.

At a balmy 37 degrees, the Orange Sulphurs were flying around on their own. Counted, at least, 8 different individuals. There were, most likely, a few more.