June 15, 2022

Hackberry Emperor

It was 81°F, partly cloudy with light winds on June 15, 2022.
Milkweed was almost ready and dogbanes had just started blooming.
Hackberry emperor was back.
This week's trail report covers the Wappinger Creek Trail side of the trail system.

It was very summery at the Gifford House trailhead.
Right next to the kiosk, common milkweed was getting ready to bloom.
Small things were skittering along the path. One went on a clover.
A Peck's skipper was just recognizable before it took off.
The field was dotted with rough-fruited cinquefoil.
It seems the seed head of yellow goatsbeard is more frequently seen than the flower.
Indian hemp, one of the dogbanes, was just beginning to open.
A common, low-growing plant is birdfoot trefoil.
Out on a yarrow was a common ringlet.
Around the corner, at the beginning of the Sedge Meadow trail not one, but two hackberry emperors were feeding and patrolling.
Down on the damp side of the Sedge Meadow Trail, privet had started blooming.
The back Old Hayfield had gotted fairly warm by now.
On the otherside at the edge of the cool shade, something landed.
It was a female widow skimmer.
A little farther along, the first European skipper of the season was out and about.
Down on the Wappinger Creek Trail, a Zabulon skipper could still be found.
Just the view alone of the Wappinger Creek was refreshing.
Next week: the Cary Pines Trail the side of the trail system.

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