Moore State Park 7/2/26 - So Many Checkerspots

[kstei...@aol.com]

This morning, I managed to steal 15 minutes . . . which turned into 45 minutes (oops) . . . to check out the Baltimore Checkerspots at Moore State Park in Paxton. I don't know if this is typical or has happened before at this location, but the numbers really were amazing to me in the short time I had and the small space I traveled. I only checked out the one mown path that bisects the hayfield across the road from the parking lot. I have no idea if similar numbers are flying in the other fields in the park. The other butterflies, bees, dragonflies, and birds were quite nice too:

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail - 1

Cabbage Whites - 3 (didn't really keep count)

Clouded Sulphurs - 20+

Orange Sulphurs - 4

Eastern Tailed Blues - 8 (with all the vetch in the field, I thought Silvery Blues might be possible, but maybe it's too late or this isn't the place anymore?)

Baltimore Checkerspots - 68 - this is likely an undercount, as I tried to be careful not to double count individuals. 

Monarchs - 2 (FOY for me)

European Skippers - 3 -- if someone could confirm this ID, I'd appreciate it. I feel like I haven't seen this species in a couple of years (is that possible?) and I don't feel confident in the ID. I've attached a bad photo taken on a cheap android phone - sorry for the quality and lighting.

Milkweed, vetch, and clovers were in full bloom, but the clovers were hands down the bloom of choice.

Bobolinks were chattering at me, especially in the lower part of the field closest to the road.

In addition to the skipper photo, I'm attaching a photo of a clump of Baltimores puddling on a pile of dog doo. In the time I was there, I witnessed another thoughtful dog owner leave an additional pile behind, right in the middle of the trail. He was obviously thinking of the needs of the butterflies and their watchers. Smh!