Butterflies yesterday in Durham and Concord

[Steve Mirick]

Jane and I got out yesterday to search for butterflies......not much
luck.    Eerily quiet for insects in general.

West Foss Farm, Durham
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ZERO BUTTERFLIES!  We walked out to the open meadow area, but didn't
encounter a single butterfly!


Karner Blue Easement, Concord
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We did a bit better here, but not much.  Strangely no deer flies and no
mosquitoes.   In about 2+ hours in long walk:

Eastern Tailed Blue - 14.  Mostly in a couple of concentrated groups
near bush clover.
Common Wood-Nymph - 5
Common Ringlet - 4
Gray Hairstreak - 2
Crescent sp. - 2
American Copper - 1
American Lady - 1
Viceroy - 1
Monarch - 1

LEONARD'S SKIPPER - 0.  Hopefully we were just a bit early.  Should be a
better chance later in month?


We got a few Robber Flies in Concord, but not a lot:
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Efferia aestuans (Northeastern Hammertail) - 2 including an impressive
female that caught a meadowhawk dragonfly for lunch!!!
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/390671994

Proctocanthus philadelphus (Northeastern Marauder) - 4.  Expected here
at this date.
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/390671984

Machimus sadyates (Shiny-sided Bladetail) - 3.  Expected here at this date.
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/390671990

Neomochterus piceus (Black Bladetail)- 1.  A relatively uncommon
species.  Possibly a 2nd.
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/390671996

Steve & Jane Mirick
Bradford, MA