Past Issue May 2006
In This Edition:
1) Upcoming Events NABA's MISSION STATEMENT: 1. UPCOMING NABA PROGRAMS AND EVENTS – May and June 2006: Beginners and children accompanied by adults are welcome on every butterfly walk and count. Directions are found below, at the end of the Calendar. Water, hat, and sunscreen are recommended for every outing. Tick prevention methods include wearing long pants and using insect repellent. Feel free to invite a friend, or even better, several friends! Sat. May 20, 10:00 a.m. Butterfly Walk at Tyson Research Center, co-sponsored by Friends of Tyson. Meet at Tyson Gatehouse; snacks will be provided by Friends of Tyson. Walk will start about 10:15 a.m. Leader: Dave Larson. Sun. May 28, 10:00 a.m. Butterfly Count for Mo. Dept. of Conservation at Busch C. A.Meet at the Butterfly Garden (bottom of parking lot at Visitor’s Center). Leader: Jim Ziebol. Sat. June 3, 9:00 a.m. Free Butterfly Gardening program at Powder Valley Nature Center, taught by Tom “Terrific” Krauska. View flyer at: http://www.butterflygardening.org/graphics/powdervalley-72dpi.jpg. Sat. June 17, 10:00 a.m.Butterfly Walk at Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary (near bridge to Alton). Meet at the Visitor’s Center (which will be closed). Leader: Torrey Berger. Riverlands is popular with birders and last year, Torrey led our first butterfly walk to this location, logging 22 species, including Bronze Copper. Torrey has special access to a section of Riverlands that is closed to the public, so take advantage of this outing to explore a new area of Riverlands. If time permits, the walk may extend to Confluence State Park. Bring snacks and/or lunch. Fri. June 23, 6:30 p.m. Garden tour and social event at Anne McCormack's home. See details in article below. Sun. June 25, 10:00 a.m. Busch C. A. Meet at the Butterfly Garden (bottom of parking lot at the Visitor’s Center). Leader: Jim Ziebol. This is the 3 rd Count for the Mo. Dept. of Conservation. DIRECTIONS: TysonResearchCenter: From the junction of I-44 and I-270, go west on I-44 about 7 miles to the Antire Rd/ Beaumont exit (exit #269). The entrance gate to Tyson is about 100 ft. past the exit ramp stop sign on the right. Meet at the Gatehouse which is just inside the entry gate. 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. Anne McCormack’s Home: Please call 314.965.8091 for more information. 2006: Looking Ahead - Butterfly Counts and Walks: Sun. July 2. *** FOURTH OF JULY COUNT, BUSCH WILDLIFE *** This is NABA’s official count, held once a year. Participants are grouped in teams and assigned to a particular territory. Each team is led by an experienced member, but participants do not need any special expertise. Busch Wildlife is a large place and we need many teams and eyes to do a thorough count of all the territories. 2. CHAPTER ANNUAL MEETING and ELECTION RESULTS by Ann Earley On Sunday, April 9th, we held our annual membership meeting at Busch Wildlife Conservation Area, prior to our first butterfly count of the season. At the meeting, the following people were elected to serve as NABA chapter officers and board members for the coming year:POSITION: Thank you to these individuals who have volunteered to serve our NABA chapter, and to Jane Schaefer who was this year's Nominating Committee Chair. Many thanks to outgoing board member Torrey Berger for his contributions and service to our chapter as Vice President during the past few years. 3. APRIL BUTTERFLY SIGHTINGS by Yvonne Homeyer Late Sightings for March: On 3/31, Charlene Malone found the first Tiger Swallowtail at Rockwoods and Torrey Berger saw 3 Spring Azures and 2 Eastern Commas there. April Sightings: On 4/1, a sunny day with temperatures in the low 70s, Scott Marshall observed several Falcate Orangetips, Henry’s Elfins, and Juvenal’s Duskywings near Rockwoods. Ron Goetz logged 17 species at Fults Hill Prairie in Illinois, including Pipevine Swallowtail, Gorgone Checkerspot, Pearl Crescent, Sleepy Duskywing and Horace’s Duskywing. Torrey Berger saw Orange Sulphur, Cabbage White and E. Comma at Riverlands/Confluence Park on 4/1. That same day, eleven species were flying at Busch Conservation Area: Zebra Swallowtail (1), Tiger Swallowtail (2), Cabbage White (2), Falcate Orangetip (7), Clouded Sulphur (1), Orange Sulphur (2), Gray Hairstreak (1), Spring Azure (12), E. Comma (2), Mourning Cloak (1), and Juvenal’s Duskywing (3). (Jim Ziebol, Yvonne Homeyer). Also on 4/1, Jane Schaefer found a Tiger Swallowtail that had emerged in her basement, where her outdoor plants spend the winter. A storm on 4/2 stopped the spring weather and spring butterflying temporarily. On 4/5, Dave Larson counted 1 Tiger and 1 Spicebush Swallowtail, 50 Falcate Orangetips, 6 Clouded Sulphurs, 2 Spring Azures, 3 E. Commas, 3 Mourning Cloaks, and 30 Juvenal’s Duskywings at Tyson Research Center. Also on 4/5, in Dent County, Dave Berry observed 8 Zebra Swallowtails, 1 Pipevine Swallowtail, 2 Tigers, 2 Clouded Sulphurs, 4 Spring Azures, 2 Goatweeds, 1 Mourning Cloak, 1 E. Comma, 1 White M Hairstreak (always a nice find), and 7 Juvenal’s Duskywings. On 4/6, Torrey Berger visited Rockwood and found Tiger Swallowtail, Black Swallowtail, Cabbage White, Clouded Sulphur, Falcate Orangetip, Spring Azure, Eastern Comma, and Juvenal's Dusky-wing. Dave Larson found 2 Tigers, 2 Zebras, 20 Falcate Orangetips, 8 Mourning Cloaks, 1 Monarch, and 20 Juvenal’s Duskywings at Tyson on 4/7. That same day, Jeannie Moe reported a Red Admiral at Busch Wildlife. Our first field trip on 4/9 at Busch Wildlife was well attended and 13 species of butterflies were seen, including 7 Henry’s Elfins, several of which cooperated nicely by allowing numerous close-up photographs. Jeannie Moe, Ann Earley, Sarah George, Dave Berry, Bob Siemer, Scott Marshall, Mary Eileen Rufkahr, Jeff Norris, Tom and Gerri Krauska, and Yvonne Homeyer participated. Total species observed: 2 Black Swallowtails, 1 Zebra Swallowtail, 1 unidentified swallowtail species (Spicebush or Pipevine), 20 Falcate Orangetips, 1 Cabbage White, 3 Clouded and 2 Orange Sulphurs, 2 Eastern Tailed-Blues, 9 Spring Azures, 2 E. Commas, 7 Henry’s Elfins, 1 Gray Hairstreak, and 20 Juvenal’s Duskywings. Linda Virga saw a Tiger Swallowtail in her yard on 4/9, a species missed on the Busch count. A Tiger Swallowtail, Zebra Swallowtail and Mourning Cloak were seen at St. Francois State Park on 4/9 (Sue Gustafson). Two Cabbage Whites were in Mary-Eileen Rufkahr’s garden on 4/10. Around 4/11, north-bound migrating Monarchs began arriving and sightings were widespread – urban, suburban, and natural areas. Dennis Bozzay observed a female Monarch on 4/11 at Busch Wildlife, along with 3 Henry’s Elfins. Tom Krauska saw a Monarch in his yard on 4/11, and there were Monarch eggs on his milkweed. A Monarch was cruising through Dave Berry’s yard on 4/12, and four of his Black Swallowtails hatched and took to the skies. On 4/13, a Spicebush and 2 Tiger Swallowtails visited Mary-Eileen’s garden. Bob & Claudia Noe observed a Monarch at their home in the first week in April and another on 4/13. A Monarch and fresh Spicebush Swallowtail were flying at dusk on 4/14 at Castlewood, and Mary Eileen saw a Monarch nectaring on a lilac bush at her Bridgeton home, along with Eastern Tailed-Blue and Juvenal’s Duskywing. Monarchs have been seen at Belle Warden’s Granite City garden. Also on 4/14, Jim Ziebol and Sherry McCowan found Monarchs at Robertsville State Park, Shaw Nature Reserve, Young C.A. and Rockwoods, and reported that Pearl Crescents and Eastern Tailed-Blues were numerous at all four locations. They observed a Red Admiral and American Lady at Epstein Prairie. On 4/15, Ron Goetz visited Young C.A. and added three species for the year - Juniper Hairstreak, Silver-spotted Skipper and Common Checkered-Skipper – out of a total of 18 species for the day. Single sightings of Spicebush, Tiger, and Zebra Swallowtails, Clouded Sulphur, Falcate Orangetip, Pearl Crescent, Mourning Cloak and Monarch added variety to a bird walk for Jeannie Moe and Yvonne at Castlewood on 4/15. A trip to Valley View Glades on 4/16 produced 2 very early Cloudless Sulphurs and one male Cobweb Skipper, a locally rare glade species which breeds at this location (Yvonne, Jim Ziebol). At Frontier Park on 4/19, Mary-Eileen reported Cabbage White, Orange Sulphur, Pearl Crescent, and Gray Hairstreak. A Red Admiral was observed by Jeannie Moe at Busch on 4/20, along with Black, Zebra, Spicebush and Tiger Swallowtails. Early Buckeyes were reported on 4/19 by Jim Ziebol at Busch Wildlife and on 4/21 by Ron Goetz, who saw one in his yard. Ron also visited Valley View Glades on 4/21 and reported Cloudless Sulphurs (still an early date), Gorgone Checkerspots, Juniper Hairstreak, 1 Cobweb Skipper and 1 Common Roadside-Skipper which, despite its name, is anything but common. On 4/22, Ron logged 23 species at Fults Hill Prairie, including Southern Dogface, Cloudless Sulphur, Buckeye, Zabulon Skipper, Dusted Skipper and Pepper and SaltSkipper. Our walk at Tyson on 4/23 produced 18 species, despite overcast skies. Highlights included 5 species of swallowtails (Zebras and Spicebush were the most numerous), 1 Question Mark, 1 Monarch, 5 Wild IndigoDuskywings, and Horace’s Duskywing (JZ, YH, MER, LV). Eight participants from our Master Naturalist class at Meramec joined us, and the group’s spirit was very enthusiastic. That same weekend, Dave Berry reported an Ozark (Woodland) Swallowtail, a rare specieswhich is very similar to a Black Swallowtail, in Pulaski County. He also observed numerous Monarchs moving north on their return from Mexico, and many Pipevine, Zebra and Spicebush Swallowtails. CONTRIBUTORS: Torrey Berger, Dave Berry, Dennis Bozzay, Ann Earley, Ron Goetz, Sue Gustafson, Jack Harris, Yvonne Homeyer, Tom “Terrific” Krauska, Dave Larson, Jeannie Moe, Mary Eileen Rufkahr, Jane Schaefer, Linda Virga, Belle Warden, Jim Ziebol. Bold indicates the first reported sighting of the year. 4. KID’S CORNER SPRING UPDATES by Mary-Eileen Rufkahr Spring has finally sprung and the Kids' Corner is ready to get you primed for the butterfly season! Need a book or two to help get a youngster interested in butterflying? Check out the extensive book list with titles for age groups ranging from preschool through junior high. Require some inspiration as you prepare for the next walk? Check out the quotes section for some words of wisdom and whimsy! Want to take a quick "surf" before the next count? There are many links to fun websites. . .topics range from butterfly-inspired arts and crafts to electron microscope photos of butterfly scales. Looking for a laugh or two to brighten your day? Then look no further than the butterfly jokes and riddles section. Does your brain need a spring wake-up call? Sharpen those pencils and tackle one of the crosswords or word searches (with more to come soon). And check in over the next few months, as more features are added! If you have any ideas for future crosswords and/or word searches, please contact Mary-Eileen Rufkahr at merufkahrATaol.com. The Kid's Corner link is: http://www.naba.org/chapters/nabasl/kids.htm 5. GARDEN TOUR & SOCIAL EVENT ON JUNE 23 by Yvonne Homeyer Anne McCormack has graciously invited NABA-St. Louis to tour her Kirkwood garden on Friday, June 23. The garden tour starts at 6:30 and you are welcome to arrive any time after that. Stroll through Anne’s garden to relax after your hectic schedule during the week, and get ideas for your own garden. Last year, Anne was one of the winners in the native plant category of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch garden contest. Anne will be on hand to identify plants and answer questions. The garden tour will be followed by Anne’s indoor video on native plants and gardening for butterflies and hummingbirds. Light refreshments (fruit, cheese, beverages) will be served, because we want to make this a social event, too. Even if it rains, we will have the indoor program and social hour. This will be a memorable event you don’t want to miss! For directions to Anne’s house at 587 Andrews Ave. in Kirkwood, see the end of the Calendar section in this newsletter. 6. PROGRAM SPEAKERS NEEDED byYvonne Homeyer I am working on a schedule of programs for September, October and the Spring of 2007. If any NABA member would like to be a program speaker, please let me know. Similarly, if anyone has suggestions on program topics or destination-specific outings (Butterfly House, etc.), I would welcome your ideas. Please contact me: homeyer@earthlink.net 7. NABA-ST. LOUIS MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION… NEW MEMBERS: Our newest NABA-St. Louis member is: Bette Handy (from Ballwin, Missouri). Welcome to our Chapter, Bette, and hope to see you at one of our upcoming Butterfly Walks or events! YOUR OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS, AS OF APRIL 2006: (AT = @ in Email address)
NEWSLETTER ARTICLES WELCOME: If you have questions or suggestions, e-mail Ann Earley (aee623ATprodigy.net). MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION: If you would like to join NABA, please fill out this application. You will become a member of both NABA and the local St. Louis Chapter, if you live within the St. Louis metropolitan area or nearby Illinois area: Name ____________________________________________ Dues are $30 (regular) and $40 (family) per year. Please make check payable to NORTH AMERICAN BUTTERFLY ASSOCIATION. Please mail this form with your check to: Scott Marshall, Membership, 609 West Lockwood, St. Louis, MO 63119. |
“We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes
it has gone through to achieve that beauty.” - Maya Angelou -
Editor: Dave Larson, Email: larsrblATearthlink.net ("AT" = @)
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