Recent sightings

2:00pm-4:30pm, Partly cloudy, 77°F
Cobweb Skippers were fresh (1 male and 1 female), one was nectaring on bush honeysuckle

The elfin was photographed at the gravel pulloff for the trail to the Millbrook Gap fire tower where Millbrook Road crosses The Appalachian Trail.

1-3 PM. 70-75 F, high cloud, breezy. Powerline cut from River Rd Park west to Bridge Ave. Blues and Crescents nectaring on Common cinquefoil, about all there was. One Monarch or Viceroy, too far and too fast for an ID.

Saw 2 Pearl Crescents.

Brief stop

11:45 AM - 12:25 PM. One Duskywing sp.

9:20-11:30 AM, 65-70 F, sunny.

Mid-Day

10:30-12:30, sunny, mid to upper 60s. Despite the fairly early date, the Peck's Skipper was in a sad state, missing half a wing. It was nectaring on Mouse-ear Hawkweed. Disappointing not to find Pine Elfin or Juniper Hairstreak at River Bend.

Late aftermoon

3:30-4:15. High 60s, mostly sunny.

2:15-3:15. High 60s. Sunny, becoming increasingly cloudy.

1:30 - 2:00. Sunny, upper 60s. Spot below middle of FW costal margin of Duskywing appeared much reduced, but it seemed larger than a Wild Indigo (though I might be wrong!) Was not able to view underwing.
[moderator: Duskywing looks to be a Wild Indigo. Note also the dark fingers at the distal end of the forewings.

9:40-1:00, Sunny and calm, Upper 60's
1 Duskywing sp.
All photos by Mike Newlon

Hundreds of Zizia plants (Golden Alexander) west side. Large dark butterfly flew up from it. Probably a Black Swallowtail.
ETBs nectaring on Wild Strawberry.
Low 60s, windy, bright sunlight 90% of the time.

1215 to 1430. Mostly sunny, 60's. Parked in the lot by the Driving Range on Atlantic Ave. Walked the paths and trails East of there through fields. wet, open woods, and a few Swampy areas.

8:45 AM-12:15 PM. 52-58 F, breeze from the NW. Too cool for butterflies until around 11. Genhurst trails very muddy, bring rubber boots. Not a lot of nectar; Crescents on buttercup and dandelion, Whites on Garlic mustard and Wintercress. Two Whites found each other, went into a dogfight, spiraled upward until lost to sight even in binoculars.

Second part of NABA-NJ field trip, 1:15pm-2:45pm,filtered sun to start then thick clouds and sprinkle, 64˚F–>57˚F, Photos from Mike Newlon.

Seven observers, 9:30 AM to around noon. Started cool but warmed up some later but not really enough for good butterfly activity. American Coppers were much in evidence but we searched for Henry's Elfin without success. But a message arrived about Humpback whales off the beach, so we went to E-lot and there they were! So we spent a hour or so appreciating these larger creatures. Photos from Mike Newlon.

At Crows Nest parking area

Large open field. Mid-afternoon.
The Black Swallowtail was gloriously fresh. It may well have been on it's first flight.

Sunny, temps in the 60's

FOY for me - no photo, got close and off it flew

I've seen a Henry's Elfin only once before right near this spot. There may have been 2 but I never saw both together and it was in close proximity. Tons of coppers around! Beautiful view of a Red Admiral and the first time I've had a nice shot of the dorsal side. 2 other individuals that could have been Painted or American Ladies. Sunny and warm from about 3:25-5:00.

2:30-3:30. Sunny, mid 60s. Many of the Pearl Crescents were nectaring on Common Cinquefoil. One of the Question Marks was feeding on sap oozing from a damaged willow tree branch. The sap was also attracting flies and what appeared to be a Yellowjacket. The Question Mark fended off interlopers by vigorously flicking its wings.

11am-1pm
Cool but cloudless
Permit required for watershed

3:30- 4:15, sunny, low 60s.

1330 to 1445; Sunny, breezy, temperature in the 60's. Some plants starting to bloom. Saw a Duskywing Sp. fly into one of the dry fields. Could not get close enough to it to determine species. Finally, some butterflies are starting to appear in this area.

Brief stop.

9 AM - 12:30 PM. Sun but cool and windy, too cool for butterflies until around noon. One anglewing sp, a rapid fly-by.

4:00-5:15. Sunny, low 80s.

1:30 to 2:30. Partly sunny; 70s. Pipevine was puddling in parking lot at Twin Lakes off Goodale Road. Photo by Mike Tracy.

9:30 AM until 1:30 PM. Cloudy breezy and cool to warm and sunny.
Fisherman's Beach Rd, Parking Lots D, E and K
Photos courtesy Jane Hurwitz