July 08, 2015

Notes and Changes since last report

• This week's trail report covers the Wappinger Creek Trail side of the trail system.
• It was 76°F and mostly cloudy at 2:30 AM on July 8, 2015.
• No new butterfly arrivals, but a cloudy day is not the best day to look for butterflies.

The Trails

• A scan of the Gifford House parking lot milkweed turned up no butterflies but milkweed aphids had arrived.
• Also out there was a very interesting wasp mimic fly, probably one of the thick-headed flies.
• On the Sedge Meadow Trail, several cedar waxwings were preening in a tree.
• In spite of the cloud cover, great spangled fritillaries were thick in the back Old Hayfield milkweed patch.
• As I scanned the mob through binoculars, I felt something on my leg... I always look before I swat... it was a common wood-nymph licking my salty ankle.
• The shady edge of the field had a growing colony of fringed loosestrife, a native loosestrife in our area.
• All the way in the back of the field was pale-spike lobelia.
• Back tracking out, I came across a striped hairstreak. I know I've pictured them before, but they are not that common and always a delight to behold.
• Where the Wappinger Creek Trail passes through flood plain, the broad leaves of wood nettle were recognizable.
• The small flowers in the axils clinched the diagnosis.
• Just past that tall meadow-rue was flowering.
• On the banks of the Creek, Japanese spiraea, an invasive garden escapee, was blooming.
• Not far away was the more familiar stinging nettle.
• Next week: the Cary Pines Trail side of the trail system.