Sat. July 16. Butterfly Walk at Riverlands (NEW). Meet at 10:00 a.m. at the Visitor’s Center of Riverlands. A well-known birding location (especially in the winter for gulls), Riverlands offers riparian and field habitat along the Mississippi River. The group will likely continue on to Confluence Park which adjoins Riverlands, for more butterflies and a spectacular view of the convergence of the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers. Easy walking, flat terrain, but no shade. Bring lunch. Leader: Torrey Berger.

Sat. July 23. Richard & Susan Day host their 4^th of July Count on their rural property near Alma, IL, about 1.5 hours from the Arch. Meet at their house at 10:00 a.m. Susan’s extensive butterfly gardens offer spectacular close-up views of many species of butterflies, and photo opportunities abound. A short walk through the woods leads to the restored wetlands in what used to be a soybean field. Little walking involved. Bring lunch, which we will enjoy from the shaded gazebo. If you haven’t yet made this trip, it is worth the drive. Coordinators and Companionable Hosts: Richard & Susan Day.

Sun. Aug. 7. Butterfly Walk at Two Rivers National Wildlife Refuge (NEW). This is the only National Wildlife Refuge in the St. Louis area. Harvester, Checkered White, Bronze Copper and Dion Skipper are locally rare butterflies that are possibilities on the Refuge. Meet at the Visitors Center of Riverlands at 8:30 a.m.; the group will caravan from that point and cross into Calhoun County, IL by ferry. Facilities are very limited after leaving Riverlands. The terrain is flat, walking is easy, and we will drive from stop to stop. We will finish around 2:30 but people can leave sooner if necessary. There are other ways to go home (and other ferries) that do not require returning to Riverlands. Check a map if you are unfamiliar with the area. Bring lunch. Leader: Dennis Bozzay.

Fri. Aug. 12. 7:00 p.m. NABA Dinner at Sweet Tomatoes Restaurant, a salad buffet. Our dinner in June was so much fun that we want to get together again. Sweet Tomatoes is located on Watson Road about 1/2 mile west of Sappington/Crestwood Plaza, across from Lindburg Cadillac. Look for coupons in the Sunday Post Dispatch. You don't have to RSVP, just come and have a good time."

Sat. Aug. 20. Butterfly Walk at Little Creve Coeur Lake (NEW). Meet at 10:00 a.m. at The Barn behind the Driving Range (explained in directions below). Like Riverlands, this is a popular birding location that also offers an interesting variety of butterflies. This is the only wetlands of any significance left in St. Louis County. Little Creve Coeur Lake was the topic of our March program. We will be walking at least some of the time through grassy fields so long pants and closed shoes are recommended. Tick precautions are a must. Leader: Torrey Berger.

Sun. Aug. 21. Our last 4^th of July Count of the season will take place at Horseshoe Lake State Park near Granite City, IL. Meet at 10:00 a.m. at the parking lot just inside the Hwy. 111 park entrance. Restrooms are available at the meeting location but are more limited on the 203 side (Burger King is the last opportunity). We could see several hard-to-find species such as Checkered White, Southern Dogface, Gorgone Checkerspot, Bronze Copper, Duke’s Skipper and Dion Skipper. Moderate walking involved. The "Tienda El Ranchito" Restaurant on Collinsville Road is a post-count lunch stop. Coordinator: Jim Ziebol.

Saves These Dates: Sun. 9/18 (Busch Wildlife); and Sat. 10/8 at Hilda Young C.A. (more details coming in the next newsletter).

DIRECTIONS:

Busch Wildlife Conservation Area: From St. Louis County, take I-64 (Hwy 40) across the Missouri River bridge and exit at Hwy. 94. Go left (south) on Hwy 94 approximately 1 mile to Hwy D. Turn right onto Hwy D and go about 1.5 miles to the entrance on your right. Turn right and at the T intersection, turn right again and proceed to the parking lot at the Visitor's Center. Meet at the Jim Ziebol Butterfly Garden at the bottom of the parking lot.

Riverlands: Take I-270 and exit at Hwy. 367 north. Stay on 367 until just before the Clark Bridge that crosses the river into Alton (do not cross bridge!). At the Fisca gas station on the Missouri side of the bridge, turn right into Riverlands and go straight on the main road. The Visitor’s Center is on the left. The Visitor’s Center is closed on weekends; however, rustic toilets are available along the main road – just continue on about a 1/4 mile beyond the Visitor’s Center.

Alma, IL: Please contact Yvonne Homeyer ( homeyerATearthlink.net ) for directions to Richard & Susan Day's property.

Two Rivers NWR: Meet at the Visitor’s Center of Riverlands (see above) to caravan. We will cross over into Calhoun County, IL on a ferry.

Little Creve Coeur Lake: This marsh is near Creve Coeur Lake but it is not marked with any signs. Orientation: If you would happen to be traveling west on Page Avenue, just before you reach the new bridge that crosses the Missouri River into St. Charles County, look to your left (south) – that open expanse of land is the marsh. To get there, however, you need to be on Creve Coeur Mill Road. From Olive Street Road, turn north onto Creve Coeur Mill Road. Continue past St. Louis County Water Works Road. Soon you will see a driving range up ahead on your left and a railroad track running parallel to Creve Coeur Mill Road. As you approach the driving range, watch for an opening where you can turn left and cross over the RR tracks onto a gravel road. The gravel road is not marked by a street sign but there is a sign for the driving range. This turn-off is 1.2 miles from the intersection of Olive Street Road and Creve Coeur Mill Road. After you turn onto this gravel road, the driving range will now be on your right. If you miss the turnoff and pass the driving range (which will be on your left if you are still on Creve Coeur Mill Road), just turn around, retrace your steps, and then turn right into the driving range. Now that you are on the gravel road, drive PAST the driving range toward the tree line. The gravel road makes a sharp turn to the right. Keep going until the gravel road ends at some barn/storage structures on the left. Park there. You are now behind the driving range. We will meet here and begin our walk. Watch out for stray golf balls!

Horseshoe Lake: From downtown St. Louis, take I-64 (Hwy. 40) across the Poplar Street Bridge and stay on I-55/70 for several miles (do not follow I-64 when it bears to the right - stay on I-55/70 by bearing to the left). Exit at Hwy. 111. Go north (left) on Hwy. 111 and in about 3 miles you will see the entrance sign for Horseshoe Lake State Park on your left. Turn left and you will see the parking lot on your right. Pull in and we will meet here. There are rustic toilets at the parking lot.

2. BUTTERFLY REPORT for LATE MAY and JUNE, 2005 by Yvonne Homeyer

May Addendum: In late May, Mark Peters saw a Harvester and a Hoary Edge at his prairie. Mary Eileen Rufkahr and Yvonne Homeyer visited Valley View Glades on 5/28; highlights included Giant, Tiger, Pipevine and Spicebush Swallowtails, 3 Silvery Checkerspots, and a Hoary Edge. On 5/29, Dennis Bozzay, Mary Eileen and Yvonne saw Pipevine, Spicebush, Giant and Zebra Swallowtails, 7 Cabbage Whites, 3 Orange Sulphurs, Summer Azures, Painted Lady, American Lady, Silvery Checkerspot, numerous Great Spangled Fritillaries, Gray Comma, Northern Pearly-eye, Hayhurst’s Scallopwing, Little Glassywing, 1 Monarch, and other species (24 total) at Young C.A.

The Bringe family toured Howell Island on bicycle on 5/31 and observed many Great Spangled Fritillaries. At Lost Valley Trail, they also saw Red-spotted Purples, E. Comma, Tiger Swallowtail and Pearl Crescent. American Ladies visited their garden.

June Sightings: Jack Harris and Jeannie Moe observed Giant Swallowtail, Gray Comma, Silvery Checkerspot and Little Wood Satyr at Victoria Glade on 6/2. On 6/4, Jim Ziebol spotted a very fresh Harvester at Busch C.A. [Ed: This is the third Harvester reported so far this year!]. Yvonne found a Red-banded Hairstreak and a Monarch at Busch on 6/4.

On 6/8, Jim Ziebol reported the following species at Busch Wildlife: 3 Giant Swallowtails, 3 Cabbage Whites, 7 Orange Sulphurs, 3 Clouded Sulphurs, 10+ Summer Azures, Painted Lady, Red Admiral, 2 Viceroys, 4 E. Commas, 10 Least Skippers, 1 Dun and 2 Delaware Skippers. At Young C.A. on 6/9, Jim saw Tawny-edged Skipper and Hayhurst’s Scallopwing. A Dion Skipper was photographed at Route 66 S.P. on 6/11 by David LeCoq of Lafayette, LA. Tawny Emperor and Wild Indigo Duskywing were observed at Busch Wildlife on 6/12 (JZ). Bill Rowe found 2 Gray Coppers and many Checkered Whites near Riverlands on 6/12.

Highlights of the 4^th of July Count at Shaw Nature Reserve on 6/12 included Edward’s Hairstreak, White M Hairstreak, Coral Hairstreak, Banded Hairstreak, Mourning Cloak, Goatweed, Northern Pearly-eye, Wood-Nymph, Monarch, Wild Indigo Duskywing, Swarthy Skipper, Byssus Skipper and Common Sootywing. A total of 47 species were found – this is the highest total of any 4^th of July Count in the St. Louis area to date. Ron Goetz (coordinator), Mary-Eileen Rufkahr, Yvonne Homeyer, David and Rachel LeCoq, Valerie Geile and Nancy Valenta participated.

The first and only Swamp Metalmark seen so far was found by Ron Goetz at St. Francois State Park on 6/16; it was nectaring on New Jersey Tea. A Clouded Skipper at Hilda Young on 6/16 was a good find (JZ). On 6/18, Jim and Yvonne visited White Memorial C.A. in Lincoln County and found a Delaware Skipper, Common Sootywing, Little Glassywing and Byssus Skipper. Jim found 1 Dukes’s Skipper at Horseshoe Lake on 6/20. On 6/23, Scott Marshall and Dennis Bozzay surveyed Victoria Glade in search of the Swamp Metalmark. Although no Swamp Metalmarks were seen, they did find Pearl Crescent, Silvery Checkerspot, Gorgone Checkerspot, and many Wood Nymphs.

Dave Berry, Mary-Eileen Rufkahr and Yvonne Homeyer surveyed Cuivre River State Park for the second time searching for Swamp Metalmark (none were found). They observed 19 species, including 1 Giant Swallowtail, 1 Cloudless Sulphur, 1 Coral Hairstreak, 1 American Lady, 2 Red-spotted Purples, 1 Northern Pearly-eye, 18 Little Wood Satyrs, 2 Wood-Nymphs, 1 Wild Indigo Duskywing, 26 Little Glassywings and 21 Byssus Skippers. Not a single Cabbage White, Orange Sulphur or Clouded Sulphur was seen.

Jeannie Moe, Mary-Eileen Rufkahr, Jim Ziebol and Yvonne Homeyer conducted the 3^rd survey at Busch for MDC on 6/26. A Giant Swallowtail and 2 Least Skippers were of interest; overall, butterflies were slow. However, Tom "Terrific" Krauska had a good day at his home, with 10 species observed: Pipevine Swallowtail, Tiger Swallowtail, Cabbage White, Summer Azure, Banded Hairstreak, Great Spangled Fritillary, Red Admiral, Silver-spotted Skipper, Peck’s Skipper, and a duskywing species.

Dave Berry reported at least a dozen Harvesters in Dent County in mid to late June but as of the end of the month, he had not seen any Baltimore Checkerspots there. Mary Eileen Rufkahr observed 3 Cabbage Whites and a Spicebush Swallowtail at her home on 6/3 and added Eastern-tailed Blues and a Monarch on 6/4, Summer Azure and Cloudless Sulphur on 6/10, and a Question Mark on 6/25. The Bringes counted 30 Pipevine Swallowtail caterpillars on their Pipevine.

By the end of June, all 4 locations for the Swamp Metalmark Survey (Victoria Glade, Cuivre River State Park, St. Francois State Park and private property in Franklin County) had been checked at least once. As noted above, the only Swamp Metalmark seen in June was found by Ron Goetz at St. Francois State Park.

Contributors: Torrey Berger, Dave Berry, Dennis Bozzay, Neal & Lyda Bringe, Ron Goetz, Jack Harris, Yvonne Homeyer, Scott Marshall, Jeannie Moe, Mark Peters, Bill Rowe, Mary-Eileen Rufkahr, Belle Warden, Jim Ziebol. Bold indicates first reported sighting of the year.

3. JUNE DINNER GET-TOGETHER WAS WELL ATTENDED by Yvonne Homeyer

Scott Marshall (back from Costa Rica), Sue Gustafson, David Rabenau, Mary-Eileen Rufkahr, Jeannie and Jim Moe, Ron and Theresa Goetz, Sarah George and Yvonne Homeyer met for dinner on Friday, June 17 at the Sweet Tomatoes Restaurant on Watson Road. Everyone enjoyed the opportunity to catch up with old friends and make new ones. We all liked the location, the buffet style, and the reasonable prices at Sweet Tomatoes. It's a place you can relax and not be rushed out. Since our first get-together of this kind was such a success, we are scheduling another one on Friday, August 12 at 7:00 p.m. at the same location. Mark your calendars for our next dinner!

4. BUTTERFLY GARDEN AT WHITE BIRCH PARK by Mary-Eileen Rufkahr

Jeannie Moe and I will be meeting with Doug Littlefield of the Hazelwood Parks and Recreation Department on Tuesday, June 28^th at 10:00am, about the planned butterfly garden at White Birch Park. During our preliminary talks, Doug stated the city of Hazelwood is planning for this garden to be started during the Spring of 2006.

However, your help is still needed for this project! It's not necessary to visit the site or attend any meetings (Jeannie and I will take care of that), but please contact either Jeannie ( jrmoeATswbell.net ) or I with any ideas, suggestions, or tips you may have for this garden.

Please check next month's newsletter for a report on our meeting and more information about this butterfly garden.

Thank you,

Mary-Eileen Rufkahr ( merufkahrATaol.com )

5. SWAMP METALMARK SURVEYS:

If you'd like to participate in the Swamp Metalmark surveys (as described in our last two newsletters), please contact Dave Berry via email (currentriverATpeoplepc.com ) or phone 636-278-6952. Dave will be going to Cuivre River State Park a few more times to search for the Swamp Metalmark butterfly. Dave indicates that he has not found any yet, but other species including some beautiful hairstreaks have been seen.