Butterflies yesterday (RED-BANDED HAIRSTREAKS, Zabulon, W-I Duskywing)

[Steve Mirick]

Jane and I spent most of all day yesterday outside looking for birds and
butterflies.  We visited the Deer Hill WMA in Brentwood, Goss Farm in
Rye, and Odiorne Point SP in Rye.  Birds were extremely disappointing
with very few migrants.  But there were a couple of nice surprises with
butterflies!

Deer Hill WMA in Brentwood
--------------------------------------
Very dry and golden brown grasses.  A few patches of goldenrod, but not
much visiting them.  In 2.5 hours of walking around we had exactly 3
butterflies!
Monarch - 1
Gray Hairstreak - 1
Crescent - 1 fresh female.  Likely a Pearl Crescent based on date?
Crescents have been very scarce this fall.
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/315911657
Wild Indigo Duskywing - Zero.  This is a spot where I expect them, but
the grasses/vetch/lupines are all dried up.

Goss Farm in Rye
-----------------------
The farm LOOKS AWESOME for nectar!  It is absolutely stunning compared
to anyplace else in southern NH. By far. Fields of asters, big patches
of goldenrod, zinnias in the garden, and nice clover and hawkweed
flowers in the grass.  BUT VERY FEW BUTTERFLIES!  We searched hard for
over an hour to find 14 individual butterflies:
Cabbage White - 5
Clouded Sulphur - 1
Orange Sulphur - 1
Monarch - 3
American Lady - 1
RED-BANDED HAIRSTREAK - 1 worn individual.  The only southern Skipper
that has made any ground this year into NH.  We were nonetheless
surprised to find one as I thought it might be running late for them:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/315911641
WILD INDIGO DUSKYWING - 1.  Normally not unusual, but this fall, we've
seen hardly any!  I think they've been especially hit hard by the
drought.  This is a nice fresh individual:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/315911645
Peck's Skipper - 1
Skipper sp. - 1.  Very frustrating.  I believe this was an extremely
late LONG DASH, but I couldn't get a photo or relocate it.

Sachem, Fiery Skipper, Ocola Skipper - ZERO.  None of these southern
skippers that I've seen yet this fall, but I think I had an Ocola last
week here.

Odiorne Point State Park in Rye
--------------------------------------------
The Jointed Charlock (invasive wild radish) is abundant in flowers on
the southern edge of the park along with Goldenrod. Scattered flowers
elsewhere.  Some asters.
Cabbage White - 6+
Monarch - 3
ZABULON SKIPPER - 2 not near nectar.  Two males fighting over a patch of
trail.  My latest and I believe a new late date for NH.
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/315911643
RED-BANDED HAIRSTREAK - 1 nicely picked out by Jane in Goldenrod. TWO in
one day!  This one is REALLY chewed up!
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/315911640


Steve & Jane Mirick
Bradford, MA