Pledger Lake (Hudson Bay Lowlands) Leps

[Alfred Adamo]

I thought these observations would be of interest as this may be the only documented sightings from this area of the province.

During a Breeding Bird Atlas survey at Pledger Lake from June 14 - 21 I was able to make some incidental Lepidoptera observations.

Pledger Lake (50.8994647, -83.6624313) is well within the Hudson Bay Lowlands, about 200 km. north of Hearst and roughly the same distance west of Moosonee in Cochrane district.

It can be reached only by float/ski plane or by canoeing upriver from Fort Albany.

It is a large shallow lake; one of its rivers (Cheepay River) exits the lake at its north-east end and is a main tributary of the Albany River.

The habitat is typical muskeg/taiga with forest mainly restricted to the lake edges and larger river margins.  There are very few grasses; the ground cover is mainly sedge, moss/lichen and shrubs. 

Most of the observations were made along or near the shore of Pledger Lake at our cabin (where we stayed two nights) and our two campsites (stayed 5 nights).

Weather was very variable with rain on parts of two days and highs ranging from 12 - 25C and lows 2 -15C.  

The most productive site was following a cut trail from the cabins on the north-east side of the lake inland directly north about 1 km. This trail transitioned from mature mixed forest through increasingly wet and more open and stunted Black Spruce bog to the margins of the open/fen bog.

Observations:  

Canadian Tiger Swallowtail - seen daily along lake beaches

Mustard White (Spring Form)- one or two individuals seen only near the cabins (June 14, 21)

Brown Elfin - common; seen along trail and once coming to faeces (don’t ask) near one of our campsites 

Eastern/Western Pine Elfin - several individuals along trail, presumably Western but unable to make a definitive id

Northern Azure - a number of worn individuals seen June 13 & 14 along trail

Northern Blue - several fresh males and females seen along trail on the last day - June 21

Greenish Blue - the most common blue seen; mainly along trail

White Admiral - one individual seen in mixed forest during one of our point count transects

Red Admiral - seen once on June 14 flying rapidly northward from the beach at the cabins (I imagine it will keep flying at least until it reaches the shores of James Bay!)

Mourning Cloak - one individual seen along trail June 21

Freija Fritillary - numerous individuals seen along trail 

Meadow Fritillary - one seen along trail June 14

Atlantis Fritillary - one seen near cabins June 14

Jutta Arctic - common; seen mainly along trail

Thanks to John and Joanna; our two hosts at the cabin site from Fort Albany FN Bear Clan.

Questions/Inquiries welcomed!

Alfred Adamo