Recent sightings

10:40-12:15, sunny, 65-69.
The QM was super-fresh, with gorgeous lilac border, but wouldn't sit for a photo.
The meadows are being seriously invaded by native Indian Grass (Sorghastrum nutans). Like Big Bluestem, it can crowd out and obscure smaller plants.
The Rosarie garden is particularly lovely, and its sheltered situation is good for butterflies in the fall.

3:30 to 4:30PM, Sunny Cool.

2 to 3PM, Sunny & cool.
Also seen 2 white female sulphurs

Harvester seen briefly in woods near inflow to pond. Not a beech tree in sight. Alders perhaps 100 yards away at pond edge.

9 AM - 2:30 PM. Ocolas, plus single Monarch, Sachem, Cloudless Sulfur, were nectaring on a blooming Baccharis at the north end of the old-visitor-center parking lot. Most other butterflies on Camphorweed.

11:55-12:50. Sunny and warm.

First Sachem for me at this location, a bright, fresh male.
Great Spangleds were nectaring on the few remaining Wild Bergamot flowers.
Ringlet was fresh, as was the Horace's - a female.

noon

south entrance, blue trail
2-3 pm

Despite the mostly cloudy to cloudy conditions, there were a good number and variety of butterflies seen. Most of the Partridge Pea appeared to be dried up from lack of rain. Most species seen nectaring on Camphorweed, Sweet Everlasting and Knapweed.

Several pair of Orange Sulphur and Buckeye were seen courting and mating throughout the grassy field.

No Little Yellow or Checkered White seen.

Despite the mostly cloudy conditions, there were a good number of butterflies in the area. Most nectaring on Prairie Sunflower, Camphorweed and Knapweed. No Checkered Whites seen.

Parcel at intersection of Rt. 537 & Province Line Rd. A little known jem of the Monmouth County Park System excellent for birds & butterflies which were very common today. Mowed paths through the fields make censusing the area easy. 25 species in about 3 hours during the afternoon.

This guy joined me for breakfast this morning.

11:15-12:15. Visited a couple of gardens in town.

3 Cloudless Sulfurs, 2 Fiery Skippers & a Tawny-edged Skipper along big parking lot by visitors center.

1:15pm-1:45pm

11:00am-1:00pm, 70F, 50% sun, breezy.
Most activity in front fields near Holland Road.

Noon through late afternoon.

3:00pm-4:15pm

11:00am-2:30pm, 73F, sunny
I was able to photograph all 4 White M Hairstreaks, all on Late-flowering Thoroughwort.

11:15-12:15, sunny, 65. Butterfly activity seems to be winding down here, but Clouded Sulphurs were strong and it was nice to see 3 Viceroys, one laying eggs on Pussy Willow. The beautiful Fringed Gentians are starting to flower.

Glad to see a few more Monarch butterflies lately.

4:15-4:45. Warm but cloudy.

Peck's Skipper and Sachem numbers are conservative estimates. 11:30-12:30.