November 2020 Sightings

Time Ca. 1320; Sunny; 66 degrees; 32% humidity; wind SW 6 mph. I saw a small orange butterfly fluttering around our SE garden, and went out to identify it. While it nectared on the tattered remnants of some Verbena blossoms, I was able to identify it as an American Lady, due to the large eyes on the ventral hindwing, and small white spots in the orange ground of each forewing. This specimen appeared very fresh, lacking any signs of wear.

1:20-2:20 sunny and warm. The sulphurs searching the grass for dandelions were quite fresh.

Bright and sunny and warm. One of the Orange Sulphurs was nectaring on a dandelion flower.

Mostly birding

60 degrees , wind SW, up to 6 mph
Blue skies
1:30-2:30 pm
Fields west of soccer fields

We took advantage of the warm weather and took a walk through the neighborhood this afternoon. 1 Barred Owl, 1 Northern Brown Snake (which we rescued from the road) and 1 butterfly.

Despite the 46 degrees temperatures between 1 and 2 am, I had a fairly productive moth night. 9 different species, with close to 2 dozen individuals all total, including a very late date for Dot-lined White.

Very fresh Comma sunning itself on a tree. 11 AM. Temp in 60's.

Beautifully fresh Red Admiral. Both butterflies homed in on the New England Aster, as very little else is in flower.

1300, sunny, low humidity, SW wind 6 mph. Two nectaring on the Cat mint in our West Garden.

9:15-11:30. Sunny and very warm.

only b'fly seen; 70F+ at 1:30 pm; a few frost asters and
some golden rod blooming- very sparse, a few dandelions

A fresh Eastern-Tailed Blue flying around the parking lot and grass areas.
[moderator]: A new late date for northern NJ. The previous late date was 11/4/2016

A glorious November day! Sulphurs and Buckeyes flying and I kicked up a meadowlark and a Short Eared Owl!!!

Unseasonably warm for second day in a row, 10:00 to 10:30 AM, sunny, 60 deg. F.
[moderator]: New late date for northern NJ, previous late date was 11/3/2017

Late season butterflies are treasures!

1020. Sunny, warm. Seen flying over lawn.

Continued unusual warmth

Another remarkably sunny and warm day.

Very worn individual

Landed briefly and then took off headed south. In fresher condition that I would have expected.

Remarkably, still four Frits in the field all looking pretty fresh and a very fresh Cabbage White.

No butterflies to report but we did find a really cool insect on our Hella Lacy New England Aster which still has flowers. The Thread-legged Bug (Emesaya) is a type of assassin bug and is actually fairly common (we find several at our moth lights every year) though hard to find. Note the heavier front legs which are adapted to grab and hold prey, the reduced wings, and the rostrum just below the head. This individual is about 1 inch from head to end of abdomen. Probably too small and weak to take butterflies except for small grass skippers.

Orange Sulfur in good condition. 2 pm, sunny. 60 degrees.

11-11:30 am. Sunny and about 60F.

9:15-10:45. Upper 50s and sunny.

Remarkably warm. Went looking for a late sulphur and was very surprised by a fresh Variegated Frit and a lady!

[Moderator]: New late date for Variegated Fritillary in Northern NJ by almost 2 weeks and for American Lady by almost a week.