May 2017 Sightings

2:30-3:30, partly sunny, mid-70s. Extensive areas of Cypress Spurge in flower, attracting the hairstreaks and blues.

Ovipositing on violets along horse-farm electric fence just south of Fairview Hill Rd.

I wanted to check in on the Falcate orangetip population at MC Park again today. I arrived at 2:45 pm and stayed until 3:45 pm. It was sunny and 76º F with a stiff, constant 15 mph wind. The wind did not seem to be a very big problem to the butterflies, however, as they were fairly abundant.

All butterflies were observed along Troy Meadows Road. Very windy conditions, 72°F, bright sunshine with puffy clouds. The unprecedented appearance of early Variegated Fritillaries in northern New Jersey continues. The two seen today are clearly different individuals. Besides being 1,200 feet apart, the one in the first (poor) photo is fairly fresh while the second is worn, faded and beat up.

11:00-11:45, 60 degrees, cloudy with about 10 minutes of sun, just enough for a few butterflies.

Despite the cool weather and not so sunny skies, there was some courting and mating activity amongst Spring Azures and Cabbage Whites when the sun did manage to stay out. The Juniper Hairstreak was a first to our yard.

11:45-1:15. Partly cloudy, breezy. 58-60F.
An early date for Buckeye.

Cool early w/ SE wind, not much action until around 11AM.

Male Black Swallowtail trying to warm up in temperatures in the high forties

1:15 - 3:45, Mostly Sunny

1:30-2:30pm, partly cloudy, breezy, cool

10:00am-1:30pm, 62 F, high clouds

Cloudy and relatively cool. 2-3:30 pm

Only butterfly seen while birding. 60°F, partly sunny. This day followed a solid day of steady rain. Very poor photo included.

Windy, 64F.

Seen on the trail near the Fishing Beach.

9:30am-3:30pm, 80F