May 10, 2022

Gaywings

Notes and Changes since last report

• It was 71°F, clear and windy on May 10, 2022.
• All the trails had been freshly mowed.
• In butterfly news, the eastern pine elfin had finally returned.
• This week's trail report covers the Cary Pines Trail side of the trail system.

The Trails

• Today's walk started down the Carriage House drive.
• Scanning the nettle patch along the side turned up nothing - commas and red admirals are some of the butterflies that lay eggs on nettles.
• In the Old Gravel Pit, invasive bush honeysuckles were beginning to bloom.
• Water in the bottom of the Old Gravel Pit had continued to recede.
• The trail emerged above the Fern Glen at the edge of the Norway Spruce Glade.
• Just inside the Glade, the first eastern tent caterpillars were building nests.
• On a happier note, the first eastern pine elfins had also shown up.
• Down the hill, the Roeller Bed was lit up in the afternoon light.
• In the shadier parts, false rue-anemone was blooming.
• Along the brighter edge, starry false Solomon's seal was doing well this year.
• Mixed in, Jacob's ladder was starting to bloom as well.
• On the other hand, large-flowered trillium was winding down, turning pink in its later days.
• Wild blue phlox was coming in now. Note the five petals - similar, but invasive, dame's rocket will soon come bearing only four petals.
• In a shady corner, goldenseal had started blooming the week before.
• Out in the open around the pond, golden ragwort was just beginning to open.
• Along the path at the edge of the fen, Canada violets were blooming.
• Out in the poor fen, rhodora was visible as little spots of purple.
• Right up against the bare branches of poison sumac, highbush blueberry was blooming.
• The pink fades as the buds open.
• Goldthread was sparse this year.
• Another blueberry species was blooming close to the ground.
• The blossoms were very similar to those of highbush.
• Out on the return leg of the Cary Pines Trail, other worldly gaywings had started blooming.
• Next week: the Wappinger Creek Trail the side of the trail system.

Sightings