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.

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

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.

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.

Late afternoon sunshine.

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

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

Overcast all day.

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

Saw 2 Cabbage Whites while in town.

There was a Cabbage White in this intersection.

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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

Sunny windy and 70. Had a short time to explore. Female Horace's Duskywing showed large white spots and bold pattern.

Moderator's Note: Congratulations to Chip on our FOY Peck's skipper for 2016.

New yard Butterfly #40 Juvenal's Duskywing

My FOY Red Admiral!

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

It has been years since most of us from northern NJ have seen Frosted Elfin. And a 24 species day up here in early May is unheard of. Here is our list from Sunday. Except perhaps for a few Frosted Elfins probably seen only by Will, all species were seen by at least a few people. In addition to those listed below, also seen were numbers of Azure sp., Lady sp., and Elfin sp.

Moderator's Note: Thanks to Joe Burgiel for compiling the species and totals for the trip – not an easy task when we were finding so many. Thanks also, of course, to Will Kerling for helping all of us explore one of his favorite stomping grounds. jc

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.

Approx one hour walk. Very windy.