Blackstone Valley Corridor - NABA 4th July Count

[Thomas Dodd]

Here are the results for the Blackstone Valley Count. The weather forecast was iffy, but it turned out to be a great day. Butterfly numbers were up from last year, but we only saw a few individuals of many species. My thanks to everyone who participated in the count!

Blackstone Valley Corridor, MA. Yr. 24, 42.1243°, -71.6117°, center at jct. of Mendon Rd. and Quaker St., Northbridge. See 2001 report for habitats. Habitat changes since last year: Capped landfill that had great wildflowers in the past is being mowed with mainly grasses persisting. Beaver flooding produtive wet meadow at Stefans Open Space. Field for Baltimore's being overgrown with poison ivy. 05 July 2026; 0700-1730 hrs; sun AM 51-75%, PM 76-100%; 76-85°F; wind 0-0 mi/hr. 6 observers in 4 parties. Total party-hours 21.5; total party-miles on foot 13. Observers: B. Cassie, Tom Dodd (33 MECHANIC ST, Upton, MA, 01568-1579), R. Holden, W. Miller, D. Price, M. St. Onge.
    E. Tiger Swallowtail 1, Spicebush Sw. 3, Cabbage White 26, Clouded Sulphur 30, Orange Su. 25, Am. Copper 33, Coral Hairstreak 3, ¹Banded Ha. 9, Gray Ha. 6, E. Tailed-Blue 45, 'Summer' Spring Azure 3, Gr. Spangled Fritillary 32, Baltimore Checkerspot 60, Question Mark 1, Mourning Cloak 2, Am. Lady 3, Red Admiral 4, Viceroy 1, Eyed Brown 5, Appalachian Brown 11, Little Wood-Satyr 69, Com. Wood-Nymph 48, Monarch 14, Silver-spotted Skipper 23, Least Sk. 3, Crossline Sk. 2, N. Broken-Dash 6, Little Glassywing 22, Delaware Sk. 14, Mulberry Wing 23, Broad-winged Sk. 1, ²Dion Sk. 2, Black Da. 3, Dun Sk. 35. Total 34 species, 568 individuals. Field Notes: ¹All Banded Hairstreaks (except 1) found in woods after 4:30PM. They are reliably seen from same location each year. ²First seen on 2024 count. Known from a few different sites within this count.

Tom Dodd

Upton