July 2018 Sightings

Another failed attempt to find Black Dash in South Jersey. All the Dragonflies and Mulberry wings made for a good day anyway. The Mulberry wings were all on Pickerelweed at the river. I didn't see any in the sedge bogs away from the river.

Incidental sighting.

7:15 to 11 am walk at the Goodwater section produced one butterfly.
[Three hours and one butterfly is the way this year has been going. What can we expect in the next few months? -jm]

Activity picked up late afternoon/evening. The PL was around earlier in the day but I couldn't get a good look as to which lady. It was pristine and a large specimen.

11:30- 12:30 with heat at 90+. There were plenty of hairstreaks, but it was very difficult to put a number on the two species that were present. I am assuming most of Edwards I saw were females based on their build. Many times I watched them nectar and then zoom off into the scrub oaks. I was shocked by the lack of other species.

I was here yesterday afternoon in the 90+ heat and only saw a buckeye. This morning between 9:30 - 11:00, the hairstreaks put on quite a show. The hairstreak numbers are conservative as the bugs were dogfighting and flashing about. Spent much of the time hoping to see egg-laying but was not successful with this goal. Jack Connor researched the cat, which was found on oak, and concluded that it is a 4th instar.

Sightings were before 9:00. Spent quite a while watching the Black swallowtail emerging, but did not stay around long enough to see it fly. The sulphur was a nice reminder of common beauty.

Edward's Hairstreak at powerline on 1st Ave was new location for me, but not surprising given the habitat and proximity to the known colony area near Hesstown Road.

Hot and close to 98 degrees, 4:40-6 pm. Also hummingbird clearwing moth on common milkweed.

When I returned home from work at 6:30 pm a Little Wood-Satyr was on the fruit dish and a Red Admiral was patrolling the back yard.

Sunny, 90 dgrees. Also one monarch cat. And an egg in addition to 1 adult

11:30 to 12:30.

Far from a thorough search this afternoon. Checked out various locations and roadsides in the general Mannington area. A brief sighting of a 2nd brood Bronze Copper on Button bush. Always a bit of a surprise when a Pipevine Swallowtail comes across your path. Overall very hot and dry here. No single location had butterflies in any real abundance. [Congrats Dave on reporting our FOY Pipevine Swallowtail. - jm]

Never fewer butterflies, garden never more lush and filled with nectar and pollen . Never more catbirds, wrens, and it is unusual to see goldfinches so frequently. Eastern Tiger swallowtail on daylily.

Did a mid-afternoon visit. Sunny and hot (87 degrees) kept the activity down and I wasn't planning to do a full walk-through, however the adjacent field was plowed under and I was concerned. So did a single pass walk-through of the colony's primary senna patch.

After I began to walk into the primary senna patch, the Sleepy's began to pop up from their siesta within. An amazing count for this date, as it's the first brood and the primary brood is still to come in August. Amongst this total count were three mated pairs. The promise of a significant flight to come appears at hand.

Very happy with the overall level of activity today, given the muted season we seem to be having overall. I just hope I can keep the mowers and plows away.

Hazy, Hot, and Humid. Very little breeze. 12:45 to 2:30.

Sighting at 6:00 pm.

My wife Pat observed the Swallowtails today. They have been scarce in the garden so far.

Sunny 90 humid.

A red admiral and red-spotted purple were feeding on rotten fruit that had fallen onto a beam that was washed ashore from the Delaware River.

Chris and I on the Cape May Butterfly count. This was our most productive area. Mostly sunny, 86 degrees, southerly winds.

Rare skippers and Broadwings are peaking here.

Some lighter skies brought a few bugs to life. First Horace's in the garden this year, a male.

Was searching for dragonflies during my mid-morning visit today, but noted butterflies along the way.

Hairstreaks were from the Hesstown Road areas and each time I'd try to get a photo a dogfight would ensue and prevent me. The nice, steady breeze kept blowing the battling butterflies away from my attempts.

Arrived at 8:50 a.m. Powerline was in shade with temp. at 64. Did not observe a single butterfly for over an hour. Sun finally brought to life some activity. Gave it till about 10:45 a.m. Banded Hairstreaks were active but quite worn out. Saw a couple of well worn Satyriums that could have been Edwards, but too worn for a conclusion.

Love this garden! Wild Bergamot & various Echinaceas the main attraction today. Observations made around 2 p.m.

In my quest to avoid shore bound traffic, I was nearby so thought I would try for an early Dion. No luck, only App Browns.