Very few butterflies, Hubbardston, 8/2

[Wendy Howes]

On a Birds & Butterflies field trip to Hubbardston's Mt. Jefferson Conservation Area I saw only a few Clouded Sulphurs flying around the fields. It looked like mowing for hay was fairly recent, but white clover was springing up and blooming, and there were edges and hedgerows where we thought we might see other butterflies. No luck. The other participants were birders.

Our little group then visited a DCR property that I haven't checked for 7+ years, where Silver-bordered Fritillary used to be very reliable in summer. Although conditions seemed somewhat the same --sandy bog (although no longer inundated at this time of year), with associated vegetation--white pines around the perimeter of the former gravel pit were encroaching inward. Another visit within the next few weeks might prove worthwhile. In a casual effort, I did see 3 Common Wood Nymphs, 1 Viceroy, and 3 Pearl Crescents. There were more birds than butterflies.

Wendy Howes

Hardwick