March 2023 Sightings

11AM. In the 50s. A flyby seen after viewing the Trumpeter Swans.
Moderators (WW, SW) apologize for letting this sighting report slip by until finally noticed 10 days after the report. Luckily for us it wasn't a species worth chasing like a Milbert's Tortoiseshell or a West Coast Lady.

Good numbers from a state park that gets little attention from butterfly enthusiasts. However, a field next to the park office that is maintained as a pollinator meadow is worth visiting, and two of the vegetated islands in the office parking lot have been converted into pollinator gardens (WW, SW).

First butterfly of the year!! I've now had this species here in March, May and June. (2:15-3:05 sunny and mid 50's)

YEAH!!!

Sunny, Temperature in 50s.
All three Mourning Cloaks in flight.

1:05-1:35 warm and sunny. I was able to get a photo of a Mourning Cloak this time - nectar-feeding on red maple flowers with some bees. I've never seen them use anything but sap so this was really cool!!
Good observation and a reminder to not overlook flowers on trees and shrubs [moderators].

FOY butterfly for me—only trees (plum, magnolia) and dandelions blooming.

2:00-3:00, sunny 50º.

Flyby on a 60-degree afternoon.

walked Sussex Branch trail from Twin Lakes parking lot south toward Rt 206 and one of the trails off it into the woods near Whites Pond. Think my number for Commas on the low side. Only one posed for some photos.

Partly sunny 63 degrees

3:15pm-4:15pm, mostly cloudy, 63 °F

Sunny

Short early afternoon walk through the woods. Breezy and upper 50s.

1:55-2:55 sunny and 60's with a breeze. 2 mourning cloaks were chasing and this one landed on a metal bar to bask and then kept coming back to my dad's yankee hat!! Nice shot of the cloak, not so much the hat [moderators].

Late morning walk with ZuZu through campground near office. Breezy, full sun, and low 50s. One of the nice aspects of being a moderator is that you can sanctify your own sightings

Fly-by at the Overlook.

12:25pm, 63°F, mostly sunny, windy

Butterfly seen in passing in a sheltered, south-facing spot along roadside, nectaring on Periwinkle.

Mid 50's F; sunny. late afternoon.

1130-135pm
active pistol range
Good total considering they may have been dodging lead in the air (moderator).

2:30-3:30, mostly sunny, breezy, 50s.