May 2016 Sightings

It brightened just enough to bring out lots of butterflies on my bike ride (no binoculars). Today's interesting roadkill was a s. cloudywing (not counted). Azures, probably all hollys, were everywhere. Saw mating pair of cloudywings.

In the morning, there was an active 'white form' female Sulphur species flying all over the field. Later in the day, I saw 3 Orange Sulphurs and a male Falcate Orangetip along the edge of the woods.

While getting gas, an American Lady zipped by the car.

Found 4 butterflies on a walk up and back this road and heard two Wood Thrushes and a Red-eyed Vireo singing.

Late afternoon sunshine.

Saw 2 Cabbage Whites while in town.

Swallowtail sp. was a dark-form fly-by. American Ladies were on the move!

There was a Cabbage White in this intersection.

On an overcast warm morning, an American Lady flew by the cottage.

There were 4 Cabbage Whites (Self Heal), 5 males and a female Eastern Tailed-Blues (small Forget-me-not flowers), 3 American Coppers (small Forget-me-Not flowers), a male Sachem and an American Lady to be found.

There were 6 Eastern Tailed-Blues - 3 females and 3 males that were actively flying about.

Overcast all day.

Much to my amazement, a fresh American Lady came across the Delaware Bay at 4:19 pm and landed in the dune system. The humidity was 91 per cent, no sun, and 56 degrees! Was watching the Laughing Gulls feasting on Horseshoe Crab eggs and certainly did not look for butterflies today.

Later in the day, I came back to this location and found an American Lady.

From a back porch, I saw a Cabbage White patrolling along the bike path.

Flushed an American Lady on a cloudy, chilly morning at 11:49 am in the back yard.

Watched a male Black Swallowtail drying its wings and there were some Eastern Tailed Blues, nearby.

Found a Horace's Duskywing on a forest leaf. Took topside and bottom side images and a moth-like pose. Documented 5 other butterfly species - American Ladies, a Red-banded Hairstreak, a Holly Azure, Common Buckeyes and Eastern Tailed-Blues.

Finally a butterfly in May. American Lady nectared on French Lilac.Great birding here today. 3 Rose Breasted Grosbeaks and many other migrants.

At the stop sign, a Red Admiral flew by the car.

A little less wind in the locust grove part of the river trail.

A Red Admiral landed almost between my legs on the road just before getting in the car.

With the warm morning, I was surprised to see only one Orange Sulphur in flight for this field.

New yard Butterfly #40 Juvenal's Duskywing

Most seen in early afternoon. A search for Falcate Orangetips came up empty.

Moderator's Note: Congratulations to Tom on our FOY checkered skipper for 2016.

American Ladies were on the move as were Red Admirals, to a lesser extent.

Approx one hour walk. Very windy.