June 12, 2019

• It was 70°F, mostly clear and calm at 2:00 PM on June 12, 2019.
• Giant swallowtail and European skipper had returned.
• This week's trail report covers the Wappinger Creek Trail side of the trail system.

The Trails

• It was looking like summer now at the Old Hayfield by Gifford House.
• The Kousa dogwood was in full bloom right by the corner of Gifford.
• A spider raced across the parking lot.
• The path along the edge of the field was getting warm in the June sun.
• Knee high yarrow was blooming under foot.
• Above that, multiflora rose was making the air sweet.
• Privet would soon be blooming too.
• A red-spotted purple had been perching in the sun and circled me as I passed.
• In contrary behavior, a little wood-satyr flew past from behind and landed in front of me in the sun.
• Away from the hedgerow, the lighter scent of bedstraws dominated.
• Dogbane would soon be blooming. This is attractive to butterflies and other insects.
• Silver-spotted skippers were out in fair numbers today.
• On the Sedge Meadow Trail, the first European skipper appeared.
• Skippers can be tricky to ID. It's always nice when one shows its underside as well as top side.
• A grasshopper landed in a nice portrait pose.
• Another little wood-satyr came by, this one displaying the underside.
• The beginning of the Sedge Meadow Trail was walled with gray dogwood, now in bloom.
• A little plant hopper landed on my sleeve.
• Even littler mites were feeding on it.
• A lot of noise on the Wappinger Creek Trail was from a Robin family.
• By the Watershed kiosk, shinleaf was budding up.
• A little farther along, in the floodplain, is a favorite view of the Wappinger Creek.
• Next week: the Cary Pines side of the trail system.