April 2016 Sightings

While I was watering some new plantings, a perfect fresh tiger swallowtail no bigger than an orange sulfur landed on the wet dirt near me. It may be the most awesome runt I have ever seen.

All butterflies except Am. Lady nectaring on Beach Plum. One Gray Hairstreak was very worn.

during my children's nature program, from 10am-12.

A cabbage White flying from yard to yard near Mechanic Street.

The Falcate Orangetips were nectaring on mustards (one with white blooms and one with yellow blooms). This is Clay's photo with his telephoto.

1:30-3:00 pm, all three trails.

Saw an American Snout migrating along the dune system to the north at the Delaware Bay - quite interesting!

On the forest walk, we found 8 other butterfly species. They were Holly Azures, Henry's Elfins, a female Eastern Tailed-Blue, Orange Sulphurs, Juvenal's Duskywings, Cabbage Whites, a Question Mark and Falcate Orangetips.

Photos of a Henry's Elfin, a Holly Azure and the drying female Eastern Tailed-Blue.

Sun, 70 degrees–quick path walk, 4:30-4:50. No commas in their usual spot.

Fly by

Went to Lizard Tail for a limited butterfly inventory. 12 butterfly species were found including 5 mint fresh Frosted Elfins. There were 2 runt Common Buckeyes chasing each other. They were both 'Rosa Forms'!

Thanks Dave! Also saw a turkey and a hummingbird moth.

70, sun all day, feels like summer.

seen while working in yard, 1-4 pm. beautiful day, sunny, blue skies, breezy, temps in 70s.

During morning gardening, 9:30 to 12:30. Duskywings nectaring on dandelions.

Barely stopped at this field and immediately witnessed 7 Orange Sulphurs at one time.

Many of the Juvenal's Duskywings were nectaring on Highbush Blueberry.

A Gray Hairstreak taught me that butterflies can nectar on Sheep Sorrel in yards. It kept landing on them in the back yard. Did not know that these plants had open flowers until my macro lens revealed them.

Male BS flew by golf driving range

Found ten butterfly species on this bike path during a mid-morning ride. A male Black Swallowtail nectared on Self Heal Flowers.

Moderator Note: Will's shot is our first photo of a black swallowtail in 2016.

Eastern Pine Elfin nectared on Vinca.

A brief walk. Buckeye was quite small.

10:15-11:15 am. Breezy, sunny, temps in 60s. Saw 20+ azures, and the 10 I got good looks at all looked like holly azures. First time this year could not find a "probable blueberry azure" in the mix.

All four were males.

4 male American Coppers were getting nectar from an Antennaria species. Also, there were 2 American Ladies and 2 male Eastern Tailed-Blues actively flying, nearby.

Here in early afternoon looking for cobweb skipper.