August 2016 Sightings

Question Mark laying eggs on Hops. Female Zabulon.

After having counted over 50 Red-banded Hairstreaks days ago I could only find 3 this morning. Predators? Still no Monarchs.

A black-form female E. Tiger ST. Southern Cloudywings and Fiery Skipper in same location that Will Kerling had them on 8/8.

An afternoon survey as town will be aerial spraying with malathion this evening. Wish we could do a count of caterpillars, more likely to be affected.

Down to one Northern Broken-Dash and the Zabulon Skippers and Little Glassywings are increasing in numbers.

There continues to be Eastern Tiger Swallowtails and Spicebush Swallowtails crossing the highways everywhere I go with an occasional Red-spotted Purple - Woodbine (a Red-spotted Purple and 2 spices), Rte. 47 (1 tiger and 3 spices), Rio Grande to CMCH (a Cabbage White and a spice) and CMCH (4 Cabbage Whites and 3 tigers).

mid afternoon, sunny with some breeze but eventually the deer flies chased me off

Finally put some fruit out and the magic has begun.

Observations made after 6:30 p.m. tonight. Only the 3rd Monarch in the garden so far this year.

Just a quick stop late in the day for Mike to water. A. Lady on Mt. Mint. Spicebush was a male.

Male monarch hanging around waiting for a mate? A couple of black swallowtail cats and newly emerged monarch cats on C. Milkweed.

A birding trip but butterflies were noted. Photographed a Cloudless Sulphur. I normally see my first at Higbee. Very dry here. Only 3 Monarchs

A quick survey in this area produced 19 sp. today.

A Summer Azure was the only butterfly species that has not been here for awhile. Finally, The Northern Broken-Dash was missing from a survey.

Only butterfly observed while resting in my truck at lunch.

Began my day at 10:30 at the Triangle Garden where I did not see a single bfly. Moved to the St Pk by 11 and it was already blazing hot. Little Yellow and buckeye counts are conservative.

[Looks like we have two migratory species crossing paths in high numbers – little yellows wandering northward and buckeyes (apparently) heading south. Whew! jc]

Very hot; I mostly stayed in the woods and shade.

I was working there yesterday and noticed a lot of Appalachian Browns flying. I was off work today so I went back and did a serious count. I probably saw more Appalachian Browns there today then I usually see all year!

[This seems the highest single-day count we have ever had for App brown. And check out the 6 great spangled frits as well – our first report of that species since Brian had two on 7/19/16 at this same site. Good going, Brian! jc]

The southern Cape is in need of rain. I only walked in the parking lot.

Stopped to visit and indulge in refreshments here for bit. Pat and Clay could add to this list, but these were some of the bugs that I saw with them (I wasn't recording).

Stopped here twice (once to and once from the Suttons) especially looking for the scallopwings (that continue to elude me).

Home by about 6:00 and added a couple of skippers to the day's list. Today I saw 40 species in the Cape (and identified 39; won't call one that I believe was a n. broken dash) and had a thoroughly lovely time, despite the heat.

Discovered 25 butterfly species and 15 of these species were skippers!

Seen while driving south.

Meadows around building are full of nectar plants

Monarchs were mating. Then the female was laying eggs. Large Monarch caterpillar on Tropical Milkweed.