June 06, 2018

Notes and Changes since last report

• It was 66°F, cloudy and breezy at 2:00 PM on June 6, 2018.
• This week's trail report covers the Wappinger Creek Trail side of the trail system.
• Cool, gray days are good for butterfly photography.
• Returning butterflies included hobomok skipper.

The Trails

• The last lilac at Gifford House parking lot had held out for a good while, but was starting to decline.
• A couple iris were blooming near the main kiosk.
• The trail head was on the other side, looking taller and greener than the last time.
• That odd tree back off to the left is always worth a look.
• The white flowering tree behind it was yellowwood.
• On top was not the usual tree swallow, but an eastern kingbird.
• Along the edge of the Old Hayfield, bedstraws were attracting pearl crescents now that they were blooming.
• Hawkweeds were starting to bloom.
• Ox-eye daisy was joining in.
• Occasionally, interesting insects will be on yarrow, but not today...
• A common ringlet had stopped in the bedstraws.
• Some robberflies imitate - and prey on - bees and wasps.
• A close up of yellowwood gives one a nose ful of sweet scent.
• On the high side of the Sedge Meadow Trail, invasive multiflora rose was blooming.
• A beetle was tucked inside a blossom.
• Hickory leaves were dotted with galls.
• A strikingly marked beetle was perched on loosestrife. A little digging turned up the ID of common willow calligrapha.
• Grass skippers, such as the hobomok skipper, perch with a characteristic posture.
• Photos for ID purposes are from an angle to view both forewing and hindwing.
• The view from below is always helpful if not essential.
• In the middle of the path was a dead, but unmarred chipmunk.
• Honeysuckle borers resemble emerald ash borers but are half the size.
• On the Wappinger Creek Trail, maple-leaved viburnum had started to bloom.
• At the "Appendix", that fungus had not been further eaten since the last visit.
• Next week: the Cary Pines Trail side of the trail system.