Past Issue August 2006
In This Edition:
NABA's MISSION STATEMENT: 1) Upcoming Walks and Events 1. UPCOMING NABA WALKS AND EVENTS – August 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. Aug. 12, 10:00 a.m. "Bug Day" at Babler State Park, a family-oriented event, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. NABA-St. Louis will have a display table and be part of the fun! See article below. Sun. Aug. 20, 9:45 a.m. Fourth of July Count at HorseshoeLake. Meet at 9:45 a.m. at the Burger King on Illinois Hwy. 203 across from the Gateway Racetrack. We will leave Burger King at 10:00 to go to our assigned territories. All groups should be able to finish their area by 12:30. Sat. Aug. 26, 10:00 a.m. Victoria Glade. Meet at the parking lot at 10:00 a.m. Victoria Glade is the most reliable location in the St. Louis area for the SWAMP METALMARK, our target butterfly for this field trip. DIRECTIONS: Babler State Park: From the intersection of Hwy. 40 and I-270: Take Hwy. 40 west from I-270, 9.5 miles to the Long Road Exit. The exit goes off to the right, crosses back over Hwy. 40 and becomes Long Road. Continue straight, through the signal, on Long Road about .8 mile to Wild Horse Creek Road (Long Road dead ends here). Turn right on Wild Horse Creek Road and go about 3 miles to Hwy. 109 (there is a BP/Amoco station on the corner). Turn left on Hwy. 109 and go about .8 mile to Hwy. BA. Turn right on Hwy. BA and go about 1.5 miles to park entrance on the right. Horseshoe Lake: To get there from the St. Louis side, cross the Poplar Street Bridge into Illinois and follow the signs for I-70/55 (do not get onto I-64). Exit at Hwy. 203 (only about 5 miles from the Arch) and go left. The racetrack will be on your left and a truck stop will be on your right. You will see a Burger King on the right as well. We can't leave our cars there but will simply use Burger King as the meeting location and then head out. Victoria Glade: From the intersection of I-270 and Tesson Ferry (Hwy. 21), go south on Hwy. 21 for 24 miles to Hillsboro. At the traffic signal at the corner of Hwy. 21 and Main Street, you will see a Hardee's on the southeast corner. Turn left by the Hardee's onto Main Street. (Note: on the right, Main Street is called Hwy. BB - do not turn in that direction). Proceed on Main Street east one block where it ends. Turn right (south) onto Vreeland Road and travel 2.2 miles - watch for the Victoria Glade sign at a small gravel parking lot on the left side of the road. Note: Vreeland Road changes names to "Victoria-Hillsboro Road" or "Victoria Road". There are no facilities at Victoria Glade. 2006: Looking Ahead - Butterfly Counts and Walks: Sat. Sep. 9. Little Creve Couer Lake Butterfly Walk. 2. JULY BUTTERFLY SIGHTINGS by Yvonne Homeyer Butterflies were notable for their absence on 7/1, when Jim and Yvonne visited Hawn State Park and Magnolia Hollow in Ste. Genevieve County. A Little Yellow and a Snout were the highlights of the day. On 7/2, our chapter held the 4 th of July Count at Busch Wildlife, Lost Valley Trail and Blue Grosbeak Trail. Six people - Jim Ziebol (coordinator), Mary-Eileen Rufkahr, Yvonne Homeyer, Linda Virga, Nick Griffin and Jen Griffin – braved the scorching temperatures. Only 28 species were seen, and only 169 butterflies were counted. Although an improvement over last year (19 species, 85 individuals), the count results for 2006 are worrisome because for two years in a row, we have had an abnormally low number of butterflies for this time of year, compared to past results. For example, in 2000, we tallied 37 species and 324 individuals. In 1998, the first time we did a 4 th of July count at Busch, 41 species and 345 butterflies were found. The drop-off is dramatic and of concern, because the habitat at Busch hasn’t changed much since 1998. Two Southern Dogface and 1 female Checkered White were seen at HL on 7/4 (JZ). Torrey Berger had a good day at B.K. Leach in Lincoln County on 7/7, observing Spicebush, Tiger and Black Swallowtails, Cabbage and Checkered Whites, Orange, Clouded and Cloudless Sulphurs, Little Yellow, Summer Azure, Eastern Tailed-Blue, Pearl Crescent, Snout, Buckeye, Viceroy, Little Wood Satyr, Least Skipper and Fiery Skipper. Ron Goetz observed a Harvester at West Tyson County Park on 7/8. On 7/10, a trip to Blanchette Park in St. Charles produced 20+ Cabbage Whites, 1 Cloudless Sulphur, 4 Eastern Tailed-Blues, 10 Summer Azures, 6 Fiery Skippers, 10 Least Skippers and 7 Sachems (MER). On 7/10, Torrey Berger reported the following species at Two Rivers National Wildlife Refuge: Tiger and Black Swallowtails, Cabbage White, Cloudless Sulphur, Little Yellow, Eastern Tailed-blue, Pearl Crescent, Bronze Copper, E. Comma, Snout, Buckeye, Viceroy, Hackberry, Tawny Emperor, Least Skipper and Common Sootywing. Scott Marshall found a Harvester at Montauk State Park on 7/13. Harvesters were also seen at Mark Peters’ prairie this year (exact dates not available to Editor at this time). The 4 th of July Count at Shaw Nature Reserve took place on 7/15.Taking part in the Count were Jim Ziebol, Ron Goetz, Mary-Eileen Rufkahr, Jeannie Moe, Kraig Paradise, Sue Gustafson, Linda Virga, her friend Louise Stephans from Germany, and Yvonne Homeyer. Thirty-eight species were recorded. Highlights included Sleepy Orange (RG), Red-banded Hairstreak (RG), Coral Hairstreak (KP), Variegated Fritillary, Goatweed, Snout, Red-spotted Purple, Gray Comma, Common Wood-Nymph, Common Sootywing (RG), and a Bell’s Roadside Skipper found by Ron Goetz – the first time Ron has seen this species at Shaw (although it is on the official butterfly checklist for Shaw). Yvonne and Jim checked several places on the weekend of 7/22 and 7/23 after the devastating storms on 7/19 and 7/21. They tallied 33 species on a composite list for Busch Conservation Area, Weldon Spring Access, Lost Valley Trail, Hilda Young Conservation Area, Route 66 State Park, and Epstein Prairie. Of interest were 2 Giant Swallowtails (Busch), 2 Checkered Whites (Weldon Spring Access), 1 Red Admiral (Busch), 1 Swarthy Skipper (Route 66), 2 Gray Commas (1 each at LVT and Busch), 1 Northern Pearly-eye (Busch), a dozen Monarchs at Epstein Prairie where Common Milkweed is plentiful, Hayhurst’s Scallopwing (2 at Busch, 1 at Epstein), and 1 Tawny-edged Skipper (Route 66). Pipevine, Tiger and Spicebush Swallowtails, Cloudless Sulphurs, Eastern Tailed-Blues, Summer Azures, Pearl Crescents, Snouts, Wild Indigo Duskywings and Least Skippers were seen at several locations. Skippers were in short supply, even common species like Sachem and Silver-spotted, as were the normally numerous Hackberry Emperors. A Golden-banded Skipper was an exciting find on 7/24 for Jim Ziebol and Sherry McCowan at Fults Hill Prairie. (view 2 photos on our website: http://www.naba.org/chapters/nabasl/photogoldband.htm). This species has previously been reported there by Ron Goetz. Other species seen at Fults Hill Prairie included 3 Ozark Swallowtails, 1 Southern Dogface, 3 Silvery Checkerspots, 17 Hackberries, 1 Wood Nymph, and 1 Red Admiral. Also on 7/24, Jim and Sherry drove around the Levee Road area of Monroe County, IL and counted 10 Black Swallowtails, 1 Pipevine Swallowtail, 100+ Cloudless Sulphurs, 25 Orange Sulphurs, 20 Clouded Sulphurs. 50+ Variegated Fritillaries, 5 Buckeyes, 1 Silver-spotted Skipper. No grass skippers were seen. Two Horace’s Duskywings and 1 Swarthy Skipper were present at the NABA Butterfly Garden in Busch Wildlife on 7/26 (JZ). Garden Reports: On 7/1, Mary Eileen Rufkahr spotted 6 Cabbage Whites, 2 Northern Cloudywings and 1 Fiery Skipper in her garden; a Tiger Swallowtail visited on 7/3 (the Tulip Poplar is a block away), and on 7/4, a fresh Red-spotted Purple was basking on the ground and nectaring on coneflowers, and a Silver-spotted Skipper was seen also. On 7/19, Mary Eileen found a Silver-spotted Skipper, a Gray Hairstreak, a Tiger Swallowtail, and 5 Summer Azures. On 7/20, while cleaning up after the storm, Mary Eileen saw 3 Tiger Swallowtails, 1 Black Swallowtail, 2 Cabbage Whites and 1 Eastern Tailed-Blue. 1 Tiger and 2 Black Swallowtails, 4 Summer Azures, 2 Gray Hairstreaks, 1 Cabbage White and 1 Monarch visited Mary Eileen’s garden on 7/25. On 7/15, Torrey Berger reported 1 Tiger Swallowtail, 2 Cabbage Whites, 4 Silver-spotted Skippers, 7 Sachems, 3 Fiery Skippers, 4 Peck’s Skippers, and 2 Delaware Skippers. Scott Marshall has seen Monarchs, Tiger Swallowtails, and Summer Azures at his Webster Groves home. Alana Studebaker has seen Tiger Swallowtails, Cabbage Whites, Monarchs and Silver-spotted Skippers but has missed other species usually seen in her Oakley, IL garden, such as Orange Sulphurs, other swallowtail species, Commas and Question Marks. CONTRIBUTORS: Torrey Berger, Dave Berry, Dennis Bozzay, Ann Earley, Ron Goetz, Yvonne Homeyer, Tom “Terrific” Krauska, Dave Larson, Scott Marshall, Sherry McCowan, Jeannie Moe, Kraig Paradise, Mary Eileen Rufkahr, Alana Studebaker, Linda Virga, Belle Warden, Jim Ziebol. Bold indicates the first reported sighting of the year. 3. UPCOMING NABA PROGRAMS AT POWDERVALLEY by Yvonne Homeyer Starting in September, we will begin our indoor program series. All programs will be at Powder Valley Nature Center and will start at 7:00 p.m. Tom and Gloria Bratkowski will start our season off on Wednesday, September 13, with an informative program about their trip to the Monarch wintering grounds in Mexico. Tom and Gloria’s slides of the millions of Monarchs clustered together on the oyamel firs in a small slice of mountainous Mexico will show what the destination of the Monarch migration looks like. Tom is an entomologist on the faculty of Maryville University. On October 11, Torrey Berger will talk about his trip this summer to Brazil. Dale and Nancy Delaney are the trip leaders and Lee Berger and Dennis Bozzay are also taking part. Torrey promises to come back with spectacular photographs of Brazil’s wildlife and some entertaining stories as well. We hope you will enjoy these members’ presentations. 4. FOURTH OF JULY COUNT REPORTS FROM BUSCH and SHAW NATURE RESERVE by Mary Eileen Rufkahr Busch: A few dedicated NABA/St. Louis members ventured out in mid-90's heat on Sunday, July 2nd to participate in the annual Fourth of July count at Busch Conservation Area. This year's team included count leader Jim Ziebol, Yvonne Homeyer, Linda Virga, Nick and Jen Griffin and Mary Eileen Rufkahr. Team members tackled seveal areas each in order to get an accurate count of the butterflies at Busch. Their efforts did not go unrewarded, as several great species were spotted, including: Pipevine, Zebra, Black, Eastern Tiger, and Spicebush Swallowtails, Cabbage White, Orange Sulphur, Cloudless Sulphur, Little Yellow, Sleepy Orange, Eastern Tailed-Blue, 'Summer' Spring Azure, American Snout, Great Spangled Fritillary, Pearl Crescent, Eastern Comma, Gray Comma, Red Admiral, Common Buckeye, Red-spotted Purple, Hackberry Emperor, Tawny Emperor, Northern Pearly-eye, Little Wood-Satyr, Monarch, Silver-spotted Skipper, Least Skipper, Little Glassywing. All told, 28 species and 169 individuals were noted. After the count was over, the group gathered under a shady pavilion to share in a picnic lunch, with snacks and cold drinks provided by NABA-St. Louis. The time spent in the pavilion was most enjoyable. It provided a welcome chance to cool down, socialize and even spot a few more butterflies, including the question mark attached to Jim's shirt! Shaw: Some loyal NABA/St. Louis members faced temperatures in the high 90's (with a heat index of 100+ degrees) to participate in a Fourth of July count at Shaw Nature Reserve on Saturday, July 15th. Leader Jim Ziebol met with the group, mid-morning, at the visitor’s center to assign territories. Count participants included Yvonne Homeyer, Sue Gustafson, Ron Goetz, Jeannie Moe, Kraig Paradise, Linda Virga (and her guest Luisa Stephans, from Germany), and Mary Eileen Rufkahr. Count participants had an opportunity to survey different types of habitat including prairie, glade and woodlands. Species noted were: Pipevine, Zebra, Black, Giant, Eastern Tiger, and Spicebush Swallowtails, Checkered White, Cabbage White, Orange Sulphur, Cloudless Sulphur, Little Yellow, Sleepy Orange, Coral Hairstreak, Gray Hairstreak, Red-banded Hairstreak, Eastern Tailed-Blue, 'Summer' Spring Azure, American Snout, Variegated Fritillary, Great Spangled Fritillary, Silvery Checkerspot, Pearl Crescent, Question Mark, Eastern Comma, Gray Comma, Red Admiral, Common Buckeye, Red-spotted Purple, Viceroy, Goatweed Leafwing, Hackberry Emperor, Little Wood-Satyr, Common Wood-Nymph, Monarch, Common Sootywing, Sachem, Zabulon Skipper and Bell's Roadside-Skipper. An afternoon break for lunch and rest was most welcome at the Trail House. After the break, members ventured to additional prairie and wetlands areas to spot a few more specimens. While the count proved enjoyable, the participants were equally grateful for their air conditioned vehicles to ride home in! 5. JOIN THE FUN AT BABLER'S BUG DAY by Ann Earley Babler State Park is hosting Bug Day, a family-oriented event, on Saturday, August 12 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Information displays and activities will take place in and around the park Visitor Center. Our NABA chapter will have a display table at this event, and other organizations will also be represented, so plan to come out to the park and bring family and friends. For additional information, contact Babler State Park at (636) 458-3813. 6. MEMBERS IN THE NEWS – TOM TERRIFIC An article entitled “Free Meal Attracts Butterflies” by Janice Denham appeared in the July 26, 2006 issue of the West County Suburban Journals. The article features Tom “Terrific” Krauska and his amazing butterfly garden, and is posted on our NABA-St. Louis website, at: http://www.naba.org/chapters/nabasl/news1.htm 7. NOTES FROM THE PRESIDENT by Jim Ziebol Since 1993, over 50 butterfly counts have taken place at Busch Conservation Area, a Missouri Dept. of Conservation property in St. Charles County. In 1994, MDC put me in touch with Dr. William Brandhorst and I have been involved ever since. (Bill Brandhorst passed away last year). By 1996 and 1997, many of the current Busch Count participants had joined the activity, including Dennis Bozzay, Yvonne Homeyer, Jeannie Moe, and Kraig Paradise. It is always a pleasure to have Dave Berry and Ron Goetz join. The all-time champion is Linda Virga, who has participated in butterfly counts not only at Busch but also at Victoria Glade, Valley View Glade, Powder Valley Nature Center, Cuivre River State Park, Shaw Nature Reserve, and Horseshoe Lake. These NABA members are also very active in maintaining the NABA Butterfly Garden at Busch. MDC’s butterfly counts around the state have ended, except for the Busch Count, which NABA continues to this day. And of course, our chapter has its own 4 th of July NABA Counts at Busch, Horseshoe Lake, and Shaw Nature Reserve. On July 24, right after the tornadoes, Sherry McCowan and I visited Fults Hill Prairie in Monroe County, Illinois, a place frequented by Ron Goetz, who over the years has shared his tantalizing reports of several rare species found at this unique habitat. While there, Sherry and I had great looks at a Golden-banded Skipper (a locally rare species), which Sherry documented with her digital camera (view 2 photos on our website: http://www.naba.org/chapters/nabasl/photogoldband.htm). 8. NABA-ST. LOUIS MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION… 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 -