Seabrook Town Forest - 10 species including Henry's Elfin and first Tiger Swallowtail

[Steve Mirick]

Jane and I got out to the Seabrook Town forest and wellhead area late
this morning.  In general, butterflies have been very slow so far this
year with only a handful of species.  But today's list was encouraging.

Orange Sulphur 1 (FOY)
Clouded Sulphur 4
American Copper 12
Cabbage White 4
Crescent 5 (FOY)
Eastern Comma 1 flyby (FOY)
American Lady 1
HENRY'S ELFIN 1 nectaring on honeysuckle!
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail 1 (FOY)
Azure 1

Not 100% sure on the ID of the swallowtail (is anyone ever sure?). But
I'm thinking Eastern.  Here's my photo:

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/363387609

And here's my photo of the Henry's Elfin.  I'm a bit surprised that this
species is listed as "Imperiled" in New Hampshire by "NatureServ" (and
thus in iNaturalist).  It seems that they are widespread in NH, if
uncommon.  And possibly increasing their range.  I'm not sure what they
are using for a host plant in southeastern NH, but it may well be Glossy
Buckthorn.  If so, expect to see more of them as this invasive plant
spreads.

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/363387612

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/127303-Callophrys-henrici

https://extension.unh.edu/blog/2019/07/invasive-spotlight-glossy-buckthorn

Steve & Jane Mirick
Bradford, MA