Butterflies this Week

[Linnet Tse]

It seems to be a bit light on butterflies on the Cape this season. Here's what we've been seeing:

1. Robert F. Smith Cold Brook Preserve, Harwich, Cape Cod. Monday mid-afternoon, July 21. Sunny, very light breeze.

I keep checking back here to see what I can find. Although there have been many birds and dragonflies, and the otters, muskrat and mink have been around, the butterflies have been scarce. I wonder how long it takes after a restoration project just as this for the butterfly populations to establish. We walked around the loop trail once and only saw:

- 1 American Lady - https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/300121084

- 2 Pearl Crescents

2. Massachusetts Audubon Long Pasture Wildlife Preserve, Barnstable, Cape Cod, Wednesday afternoon, July 23. Sunny. Short hike, about 1 mile.

- 10 Monarch butterflies (at least)

- 2 Clouded Sulphur

- 20 Pearl Crescents - most of them seen on one mountain mint shrub

- 1 Eastern tailed Blue

3. East Dennis (Cape Cod) - in our yard: sunny both days.

- Saturday, July 19 - only 1 Sachem: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/299380236

- Thursday, July 24 - 2 Cabbage Whites and  1 Broad-winged Skipper: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/300763542

Will have to check out Crane WMA soon and see if there are more there!