|
NABA-NORTHERN CRESCENTS FIRST BUTTERFLY
COUNT
ENGER TOWER, DULUTH. 26 July 2002
On Saturday morning three members of NABA-Northern Crescents
hiked the rocky areas of Enger Tower in Duluth in search
of butterflies. Some early morning sprinkles caused concern,
but the day cleared to a hot, humid haze and the butterflies
were out and moving! Cicadas and grasshoppers sounded their
castanet rhythm throughout the count. Muriel Shirey, Doreen
Hansen and Pat Thomas tried to remain cool as they watched
black swallowtails swirl overhead in pairs and circle a
large area around the rocks and hills. They were probably
"hilltopping," a behavior characterized by flying
along summits and ridges in search of a mate.The phrases
most heard were "Oh, my!" and "We're stunned."
We counted from 10:30 a.m. until around 1:30 p.m. and the
following is what we saw! Several common wood nymphs, one
monarch, 2 meadow fritillaries, one banded hairstreak with
lots of pollen on its face-Doreen noted that it was a perfect
specimen, 3 black swallowtails that nectared on goldenrod,
2 striped hairstreaks on sumac, one orange male sulphur,
2 coral hairstreaks on valerian. The number of hairstreaks
were actually higher and we were able to observe them closely
and for long periods of time. We also observed 2 hairstreaks
circling above the shrubs and trees. Common wood nymphs
were also seen in several places. We declared our first
count a success and ended with fruits and veggie platters
at the home of Doreen and Jonas and their
two wonderful dogs. We hope to get out again this summer to record another
spot in the area.
Report submitted by pat thomas
|
