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ASCM August, 2011 Nature Walk |
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ASCM August, 2011 Nature Walk |
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Thanks to Ron Polniaszek for this report on our August Nature Walk!
Fred J. Archibald Audubon Sanctuary - August 20, 2011 The day dawned warm, in the mid-70s, the humidity was 45% and the skies were cloudless. By the time the ten nature lovers who attended this day's nature walk finished, the temperature had climbed into the mid-80s. For the past month, significant rainfall has been scarce and the meadow at the Fred J. Archibald Audubon Sanctuary reflected the arid conditions. Grasses were dry and flowering plants were late in blooming. This affected our day's butterfly species count. Last year around this date, we spotted 38 butterfly species. This year, the species count was just nine. Because blooming plants were few and far between, the butterflies gathered around the few bloomers which allowed us splendid views. Common Buckeyes were abundant. Eastern Tiger Swallowtails were the most numerous species seen this morning. A few Monarchs were spotted and we figured they were passing through on their migration to their Mexican rain forest nesting grounds. Spicebush Swallowtails, Gray Hairstreaks, Little Yellows, Eastern Tailed Blues, and Common Sootywings put in an appearance. A Great Spangled Fritillary stole the show with its rich chocolate browns with silver spots and a wide cream sub-marginal band on its hind wings and its warm orange color with black markings on its fore wings. We were also able to get good views of dragonflies this morning. Twelve-spotted Skimmers were the most common and largest of the odonates we spotted. Also seen were Eastern Pondhawks, Common Whitetails, and Ruby Meadowhawks. The most interesting dragonfly spotted was a Blue Dasher. Its powder blue abdomen with black tip was hard to miss or forget. Hummingbird Moths were everywhere on the Bull Thistle plants. They out-competed the Bumblebees and Butterflies for prime spots on the 2 to 3-inch wide, purple flower heads. We had a naturalist with us this morning and we spent some time identifying other wildflowers and shrubs in the meadow. Prominent plants included: Partridge Pea, New York Ironweed, Pokeweed, Late Goldenrod, Common Milkweed, Blackseed Plantain, Common Yarrow, and Common Mullein. Our Big Bluestem and Turkey Foot Grasses were over six-feet in height. We did not neglect our bird watching duties on this morning's walk. We managed to identify 29 bird species. We had excellent views of two pairs of Indigo Buntings. Other birds of note included a fly-over of a Belted Kingfisher, a calling Yellow-billed Cuckoo, and a Red-tailed Hawk who was sunning itself with its wings and tail splayed out atop a low tree. An Eastern Kingbird and an Eastern Wood-Pewee were doing their best to keep the insect population in check. Two White-tailed Deer yearlings were keeping an eye on us as we hiked the meadow trail. No doubt other deer remained hidden in the nearby woods. It turned out to be a busy and interesting morning for the group; the two-hour walk passed quickly. We look forward to next month's walk when more birds will be moving through both of our ASCM sanctuaries. See you then! Ron Polniaszek, Trip Leader |
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