September 2018 Sightings

2:30pm-3:15pm, partyly sunny, 75F
A number of different species of Cannas here but no evidence of Brazilian Skipper activity.

Incidental observation at 2 pm. The Ocola Skipper, as of writing this, is hanging out on the Boneset in front of the building. My personal first for the park. I grabbed a few cell phone photos.

Full overcast during my ~ hour search of the shale area and walk in.

12:45 to 3:15. Overcast, breaking for sun in the last hour or so. Temps in 70s.

10:45am

Found 11:30 AM still there 4:oo PM

1:00-2:00. Mostly overcast. Had 4 Pipevine Swallowtail caterpillars and 1 chrysalis. Had 3 Monarch cats and mating Monarchs. Have talked to John who works there. He has taken great photos and was excited to get our brochure.

1:45-3:00, cloudy 1st half, then sun. 73-78°.

Caterpillars again.

Mid 80s, mostly cloudy

Hot & Very Humid
Many observers

3:07-3:51pm , 91 F , sunny hot and humid
.75 miles (garden only)

1200 to 1530. Hot, humid, and sunny, with a mild South breeze.

Reaching 90 degrees and extremely humid.
I watched a pair of Black Swallowtails and I think several attempts (not sure if successful) at mating. I live on a high hill.
A few minutes later, I was watching a hummingbird drinking from various zinnias in my garden and the remaining swallowtail not only chased it off the flower but clear across the garden (about 10 feet). This happened several times.

Alas, I did not see the Queen.

9:30am-11:00am, 86F, mostly sunny, very humid,

Queen first found by Jill Homcy around 10:45am on September 2.

1245 to 1400. Hot, humid, and sunny.

Very hot, 2-3pm

this butterfly needed an assist to get on a flower- bad rainy cool weather

new day, new monarch, though the weather was still rainy and not conducive to flight

12:30 pm , break in the drizzle

11:00 to 1:15. Overcast, 70s. This area is loaded with shrubby willows and is a great spot for Viceroys and Red-spotted Purples. But it was interesting that ca. 8 Viceroys and 2 Red-spotted Purples were "nectaring" on the berries of three Autumn Olive shrubs, a very invasive alien. They were really quite approachable leading me to wonder if the juice was somewhat fermented.

finally not raining, about 75F; sachems M,F

Let Monmouth County Aud Trip

Several butterfly gardens in town. 2:15-4 pm.

Various flowers around the pond were still in bloom including Climbing Hempvine and Blue Mistflower. While poking around the Mistflower, I happened to notice a Giant Water Bug resting on a leaf nearby. My first sighting outside of Northern New Jersey.