June 29, 2022

Paddle Caterpillar

Notes and Changes since last report

• It was 85°F, clear and breezy on June 29, 2022.
• Finally a warm, sunny day on the trails and with it: butterflies.
• In particular, banded hairstreaks.
• This week's trail report covers the Wappinger Creek Trail side of the trail system.

The Trails

• Warm sun and dry air made for a comfortable walk starting at the Gifford House trailhead.
• The common milkweed by the kiosk was just about in full bloom.
• Knee high was Deptford pink, considered by some to be invasive.
• Ankle high was wild basil, a native to our area and a nectar source for a number of butterflies.
• Little glassywing is one of them. Those glassy spots are not always easy to see, but the white spot below the antenna club usually is.
• One doesn't often see the least skipper feeding (here on Indian hemp - a dogbane). It's usually weaving and bobbing through tall grass.
• Common wood-nymph, however, was weaving through the tall grass, being difficult to get a good look at.
• Then it decided to get a closer look at me.
• In the back Old Hayfield, fringed loosestrife was blooming in patches. Note the fringe on the petioles.
• Appalachian brown had returned to the Sedge Meadow.
• It was moving about but didn't venture far, so providing several different views.
• The sunny patch at the end of the Old Pasture promised hairstreaks.
• Indeed, there were about 8 banded hairstreaks - our most common.
• Then it was into the cooler shade on the bluff over the Wappinger Creek.
• Hmmm, it would be worth scanning the big tree trunks for triangles.
• Ah, there's one - on the edge.
• The first northern pearly-eye of the season.
• Farther along the path, another sunny spot held a robber fly.
• At the bottom of the incline was another sunny hairstreak spot.
• But that wasn't a hairstreak that just dropped in - it was a red-spotted purple.
• Another sunny spot closer to the creek had a colony of nettles.
• Just right for eastern comma, whose caterpillar feeds on them.
• The watershed kiosk is a landmark along the trails.
• At its base is a colony of shinleaf.
• Almost missed the Canada lily on the approach to the Appendix.
• The Fern Glen wasn't on today's route, but how could we not include a paddle caterpillar where ever it was found?
• Next week: the Cary Pines Trail the side of the trail system.

Sightings