No Sightings White M Hairstreak 2026/Local Butterfly Update

[Sharon Harvell]

Despite some very good local specie observations of late, I have yet to observe a White M Hairstreak.

I made the mistake after 2024 and 2025  sightings of expecting White M.  And I know better than to assume!

Admittedly I've been exploring other trail networks, the Federal Hill Trails have been cut back in areas by the snowmobile club that maintains this vast network, the power line corridor within Hollis and neighboring towns has been cut to the ground as routine maintenance (dramatically changing a wide path landscape).

Have the above impacted White M presence? Maybe.

Are they late?

Absolutely possible White M are present and I just haven't crossed their path yet.

Hopefully others out there have caught up with one!

Past observations of White M Hairstreak were at Beaver Brook trails Hollis, Federal Hill Trails Hollis/Milford, Palmer Bartell main trail in Brookline and one observation at Pickety Place in Mason, NH. 

For butterfly in general, while quantity of butterflies is down, I personally have observed a good variety of species. I'm fortunate to live close to many great trails with diverse habitats.

Monson Center trail network and right across the street is Federal Hill trail network - Monson Center fields are about on schedule for their host of characters. Federal Hill has blueberry, all manner of blooming weeds throughout the season, dirt portions, etc.  Practically a little something for several species of butterfly. It's a large area and I try to explore different areas alternately. 

Earlier this year explored Burns Hill in Milford and observed both Brown and Eastern Pine Elfin on the open summit hosting blueberry amongst other blooms. 

Temple Mountain State Reservation is also terrific in hosting varied habitat. A dirt road (mostly a wide path) to the summit, and dirt roads are often a great place to search! Also a woods trail to the summit which also hosts butterfly activity.

Going beyond Temple Mountain summit when hiking on Wapack Trail  towards Holt Peak is an area known as Chair Rocks (slightly off the main trail) it's a bit of open summit with blueberry blooms - observed an Eastern Pine and Brown Elfin this year.

Beaver Brook Assoc. garden, Hollis, NH...oh no!! A massive renovation project has resulted in the garden shrinking dramatically.  This garden was beyond terrific.  Its three large Butterfly Bush are gone -- which attracted such great butterfly activity.  I observed and photographed an Eastern Giant Swallowtail here! Zabulon Skipper loved the place. The pollinator garden is gone--which also attracted a great variety of butterfly.  And the area around the construction site which had hosted grass species is also currently in upheaval. Hoping some of these affected areas will be restored upon completion of renovation.

Pickey Place, Mason NH has beautiful gardens and a small pollinator specific garden, though a popular destination with more foot traffic. 

Often exploring several other trails, too many to bore about, with great habitat and decent observations here and there.

White Admiral question, the day I observed a Red-spotted Purple I believe I also viewed a White Admiral.  Never stopped, however that white is pretty obvious. But no documentation.

Sharon