Tidmarsh Farms, Plymouth 9/25

[Mark Faherty]

I stopped by Tidmarsh Farms off Bartlett Rd in Plymouth yesterday, not expecting much on a windy fall day. It turned out to be excellent, with a very nice diversity of uncommon late season butterflies including multiple Ocolas, Fieries, Buckeyes, and Variegated Fritillaries, plus a nice colony of Silver-bordered Frits. They were all enjoying the tremendous diversity of asters and goldenrods in the wet meadows and sandplain grasslands. A River Otter munching on fish about 10 feet away from me was the highlight. Photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/pajarero/albums/72157671044229084

The area I survyeyed was one of many on the property that have undergone a significant restoration of the wetlands, including completely re-plumbing the previously channelized streams to their original sinuous courses. Read more about the project here:

http://www.massaudubon.org/get-outdoors/wildlife-sanctuaries/north-river/news-events/urgent-south-shore-land-project-tidmarsh-farms

Butterflies:

Cabbage White

Orange Sulphur

Gray Hairstreak - 1 (I think - super worn)

American Copper - 1

Variegated Fritillary - 6

Silver-bordered Fritillary - 5

Pearl Crescent - 4

Common Buckeye - 4

American Lady - 4

Viceroy - 1 ovipositing on small planted willow on restored creek bank

Monarch - 1

Fiery Skipper 2

Ocola Skipper - 3+

Least Skipper 6

Peck's Skipper - 2

Mark Faherty

Mass Audubon/Wellfleet Bay