April 2021 Sightings

The elfins were immaculate, like they'd just emerged. It was only 50 degrees and we didn't expect to see any butterflies, so they were a real bonus and our 1st of the Spring.

Sunny and warm, in a sheltered spot away from today's cold wind at 2:10 p.m. Flew up as I passed by on path.

30 at dawn, 40s until noon when reached ~50, and a cabbage white zig-zagged at high speed through yard. Still waiting for our second species.

Azures seen all three at once, two frequently flying together from 1pm until 4pm as I transplanted shrubs. Garden work and photography hard to do at same time.

Around 1pm

The Duskywing was seen on the sugar bait trail in the back yard.

[Our log's first skipper of any species for 2021. Nice to see. jc]

Our FOY azure, flitting 15 feet up in our big white pine for a few minutes before disappearing.

some paved paths at this park that we had not seen before. In bloom: spring beauty; trout lilies and may apple just leaves.

Pretty sure the gray hairstreaks are earliest ever for yard. One was more worn than the other.

[Our log's FOY for the species. Good find, DA! jc]

on spicebush flowers

Late afternoon walk. Sunny and warm.

A female Orange Sulphur, smaller than local Cabbage Whites. Glassberg's Swift Guide provided the most definitive field mark, the dark smudge on the upper margin of the hind wing, differentiating it from an errant Pink Edged. An unbecoming pose, but at least she stood still.

[Our log's FOY – one of two spotted today. Good find! jc]

Scouting for my upcoming guided hikes this week. We were there from about 9:15-11:45. The butterflies starting coming out around 11:30. All were flying and none landed. Always a treat to see my FOY falcate orange tip.

[Good find. We had two FOY orange-tips today. jc]

Late afternoon. I finally saw my first Mac Henry's. Apparently, this is an elfin that can have years of explosive numbers and years when they are scarce.

I’m pretty sure this pictured azure is a Holly/C. idella. It could be a Spring/C. ladon but it looked very snow white and the markings seemed too faint for the typical Spring Azures, but please correct me if I’m wrong. If it makes any difference, I did see it flutter out of the woods from a direction where there were two holly trees.

[Yes, if holly azure can be ID'd by pattern on ventral (and seasonality), that seems to be one. Good find and photo. jc]

2:15 - 3:00; sunny, upper 60's. After chasing the orangetip for a long time, I was surprised when it kindly landed.

[Our log's 2021 FOYs for orange tip and eastern-tailed blue. Good finds! jc]

First butterfly of the garden!’

Cabbage White - 1

[Our log's FOY report of pearl crescent. Good to see. jc]

after work stop 4:30-5:40 pm. Azures flying so no chance for a photo

This was my first Mourning Cloak. The pic is blurry. This retention pond is filled with milkweed yet the township mows it multiple times per year and I'm trying to get that to stop.

Probably the same one I saw yesterday just flitting around. Mid-afternoon.

Obs. made from 3:45 to 4:45 p.m.

Probably including the three reported 2 days ago, I counted at least 6, just mobbed with Spring Azures flying acrobatically everywhere, especially in and out of red cedars and hollys. This one stayed on the ground 5 minutes at 1:02pm, seemed to pulsate, sway wings from side to side.

10am-12:00 guided hike. 60's and sunny. This time the falcate orange tip males were super cooperative for pictures!