May 2016 Sightings
Jack Miller
MacNamara WMA (Delorme 70 M3)
Cape May County, NJ
- Spicebush Swallowtail 2
- Elfin sp. 3
- Brown Elfin 1
- Henry's Elfin 1
- Azure, sp. 50
- Eastern Tailed-Blue 1
- Lady sp. 4
- American Lady 5
- Duskywing sp. 8
- Southern Cloudywing 4
- Juvenal's Duskywing 4
Cynthia Allen
My yard in CMCH
Cape May County, NJ
Swallowtail sp. was a dark-form fly-by. American Ladies were on the move!
- Swallowtail sp. 1
- Azure, sp. 1
- Eastern Tailed-Blue 6
- American Lady 6
Will Kerling
Field at intersection of Rte. 47 and Woodcock Lane
Cape May County, NJ
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.
- Falcate Orangetip 1
- Sulphur sp. 1
- Orange Sulphur 3
Will Kerling
Cemetery parallel to Railroad Tracks and Magnolia Drive - Cape May CH, NJ
Cape May County, NJ
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.
- Cabbage White 4
- American Copper 3
- Eastern Tailed-Blue 6
- American Lady 1
- Sachem 1
- Spicebush Swallowtail 4
- Brown Elfin 1
- Eastern Pine Elfin 1
- Eastern Tailed-Blue 2
- Anglewing sp. 1
- American Lady 1
- Sleepy Duskywing 2
- Juvenal's Duskywing a
Will Kerling
Gus's Beach Road - Cape May CH, NJ
Cape May County, NJ
Found 4 butterflies on a walk up and back this road and heard two Wood Thrushes and a Red-eyed Vireo singing.
- Cabbage White 2
- Falcate Orangetip 1
- American Lady 3
- Red Admiral 1
Will Kerling
Vacant Lot next to Cynthia's house - Cape May CH, NJ
Cape May County, NJ
There were 6 Eastern Tailed-Blues - 3 females and 3 males that were actively flying about.
- Eastern Tailed-Blue 6
- Spicebush Swallowtail 1
- Red-banded Hairstreak 3
- Azure, sp. 3
- Sleepy Duskywing 1
- Juvenal's Duskywing 4
- Cobweb Skipper 2
Will Kerling
High's Beach Area - Cape May CH, NJ
Cape May County, NJ
On an overcast warm morning, an American Lady flew by the cottage.
- American Lady 1
- Cabbage White 2
Will Kerling
Intersection of Rte. 9 and Indian Trail Road
Cape May County, NJ
There was a Cabbage White in this intersection.
- Cabbage White 1
Will Kerling
Riggins Gas Station in Cape May CH, NJ
Cape May County, NJ
While getting gas, an American Lady zipped by the car.
- American Lady 1
Will Kerling
High's Beach Area - Cape May CH, NJ
Cape May County, NJ
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.
- American Lady 1
Will Kerling
Railroad Tracks along Magnolia Drive - Cape May CH, NJ
Cape May County, NJ
Watched a male Black Swallowtail drying its wings and there were some Eastern Tailed Blues, nearby.
- Black Swallowtail 1
- Eastern Tailed-Blue 3
Tom Bailey
Palmyra Cove Nature Park
Burlington County, NJ
- Cabbage White 9
- Orange Sulphur 1
- American Lady 1
- Silver-spotted Skipper 1
Will Kerling
Middle Township Bike just south of West Hand Avenue - Cape May CH, NJ
Cape May County, NJ
From a back porch, I saw a Cabbage White patrolling along the bike path.
- Cabbage White 1
David L. Amadio
Backyard butterfly garden, West Deptford
Gloucester County, NJ
Finally a butterfly in May. American Lady nectared on French Lilac.Great birding here today. 3 Rose Breasted Grosbeaks and many other migrants.
- American Lady 1
Will Kerling
402 West Hand Avenue - Cape May CH, NJ
Cape May County, NJ
Flushed an American Lady on a cloudy, chilly morning at 11:49 am in the back yard.
- American Lady 1
Will Kerling
Lizard Tail Swamp Preserve
Cape May County, NJ
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.
- Red-banded Hairstreak 1
- Holly Azure 1
- Eastern Tailed-Blue 7
- American Lady 3
- Common Buckeye 2
- Horace's Duskywing 1
Will Kerling
Railroad Tracks along Magnolia Drive - Cape May CH, NJ
Cape May County, NJ
Later in the day, I came back to this location and found an American Lady.
- American Lady 1
Chris Herz
Audubon garden
Camden County, NJ
- Red Admiral 1
David L. Amadio
Riverwinds Scenic Trail, West Deptford
Gloucester County, NJ
- Cabbage White 1
- Orange Sulphur 1
- Eastern Tailed-Blue 3
- American Lady 2
David L. Amadio
Backyard butterfly garden, West Deptford
Gloucester County, NJ
- Cabbage White 1
- American Lady 1
- Red Admiral 1
Chip Krilowicz
Blueberry Hill
Camden County, NJ
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.
- Spicebush Swallowtail 1
- Cabbage White 2
- Orange Sulphur 1
- Brown Elfin 1
- Gray Hairstreak 1
- Eastern Tailed-Blue 4
- Pearl Crescent 2
- American Lady 3
- Red Admiral 2
- Juvenal's Duskywing 1
- Horace's Duskywing 1
- Peck's Skipper 1
Beth Polvino
North Cape May ~ my yard Monarch Waystation #8318
Cape May County, NJ
New yard Butterfly #40 Juvenal's Duskywing
- Cabbage White 1
- American Lady 2
- Juvenal's Duskywing 1
- Red Admiral 1
David L. Amadio
Riverwinds River Trail
Gloucester County, NJ
A little less wind in the locust grove part of the river trail.
- Cabbage White 2
- Orange Sulphur 1
- Eastern Tailed-Blue 2
- Anglewing sp. 1
- Eastern Comma 1
- Silver-spotted Skipper 1
Joe Burgiel (compiler for group field trip)
Lizard Tail Swamp Preserve, Cape May Courthouse
Cape May County, NJ
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
- Black Swallowtail 1
- Eastern Tiger Swallowtail 4
- Spicebush Swallowtail 2
- Cabbage White 1
- Falcate Orangetip 8
- Orange Sulphur 1
- Red-banded Hairstreak 8
- Frosted Elfin 24
- Henry's Elfin 1
- Eastern Pine Elfin 4
- Gray Hairstreak 1
- Holly Azure 44
- Eastern Tailed-Blue 18
- Pearl Crescent 7
- Question Mark 1
- American Lady 47
- Red Admiral 9
- Common Buckeye 7
- Southern Cloudywing 1
- Juvenal's Duskywing 3
- Horace's Duskywing 1
- Wild Indigo Duskywing 2
- Cobweb Skipper 1
- Sachem 2
Tom Bailey
Palmyra Cove Nature Park
Burlington County, NJ
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.
- Black Swallowtail 1
- Eastern Tiger Swallowtail 1
- Cabbage White 19
- Orange Sulphur 1
- Eastern Tailed-Blue 4
- Spring Azure 1
- Eastern Comma 4
- American Lady 2
- Red Admiral 3
- Silver-spotted Skipper 4
- Common Checkered-Skipper 2
Tom Bailey
Medford Fish & Wildlife Management Area
Burlington County, NJ
Approx one hour walk. Very windy.
- Eastern Tiger Swallowtail 1
- Cabbage White 2
- Sulphur sp. 2
- Eastern Tailed-Blue 2
- Pearl Crescent 1
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.