August 07, 2019

Notes and Changes since last report

• It was 81°F, calm and cloudy at 12:30 PM on August 7, 2019.
• It woule shower several times through the walk.
• In spite of the clouds and rain, a good number of butterflies were seen today.
• This week's trail report covers the Wappinger Creek side of the trail system.

The Trails

• It was gray, warm, and humid at the Gifford House trailhead. It was sticky when the sun came out.
• Right around the corner, a question mark was basking in the feeble sun.
• Monarchs were out in fair numbers today.
• The main nectar source at this time was wild bergamot.
• A fake caterpillar - a sawfly larva - was curled up under one of the leaves.
• Rain poured for maybe 10 minutes, but a hickory provided fair shelter. A blue jay didn't seem to have been as fortunate.
• A garden spider didn't seem to have heard that monarchs taste bad.
• At the other corner of the field, a house wren was scolding.
• At ground level, horse nettle was blooming.
• A red-spotted purple paused several times on a shrub...
• ...Not long enough to enjoy the sun, but long enough to lay an egg.
• The caterpillars feed on a variety of trees; I'll have to figure out this shrub.
• A female widow skimmer paused in perfect pose; how could I refuse?
• There were just a few common ringlets about.
• Along the Sedge Meadow Trail, a couple Appalachian browns were still lurking.
• In the back Old Hayfield, a female dun skipper settled down to catch some sun.
• Partly cloudy days are good for viewing skippers: when the sun is too much we get to see the underside, too.
• The bergamot and goldenrod are a riot of color.
• Several tiger swallowtails were out on the bergamot.
• In the Old Pasture, gray dogwood berries were swelling. It's too early to think about Fall - wait til they turn white.
• Next week: the Cary Pines Trail side of the trail system.