September 21, 2021

Banded Garden Spider

Notes and Changes since last report

• It was 72°F, partly cloudy, with light winds at 1:30 PM on September 21, 2021.
• As last week, birds and butterflies were down, but mushrooms were around.
• And again mosquitos kept one moving along, but not running
• This week's trail report covers the Wappinger Creek Trail side of the trail system.

The Trails

• Clouds came and went and the temperature was comfortable at the Gifford House trailhead.
• But not so much for butterflies - they were hunkering down in the short grass getting as much sun as they could.
• Not until it flew away was it obvious that this was an orange sulphur rather than a cloudless sulphur.
• An eastern phoebe was launching forth from the edge of the field.
• Little was flowering along that edge now, but many fruits were ripening - all of invasives it would turn out.
• Honeysuckles were actually gone by now but privet was just getting started.
• Burningbush berries were just getting some color.
• Rose hips of multiflora rose looked pretty ripe.
• The shade of the Sedge Meadow boardwalk was welcome - it had gotten warm under long sleeves for mosquito protection.
• Wild bergamot was completely gone in the back Old Hayfield and goldenrods were even getting a little brown on top.
• Stretched across the path was the web of a banded garden spider.
• A cloud came over and another sulphur dropped into the grass to warm up.
• It was a white form female - this occurs frequently in both orange and cloudless sulphurs. They can be indistinguishable in the field.
• The sun came out as the trail dropped into the woods at the bluff over the Wappinger Creek.
• Along the descent, the little colony of wreath goldenrod offered the opportunity to get more familiar with this woodland goldenrod.
• Patches of zigzag goldenrod were also around to compare.
• Japanese barberry leaves were taking on some color.
• Its berries were way ahead.
• Tall white lettuce had a nice place in the sun.
• Down in the floodplain, the tall flower stalks of Japanese stilt grass were leaning into the path. Careful pulling under the stilts or by the stalks can make quick work of a colony once you get the knack.
• In front of the bench at trail marker 10, mole hills had errupted.
• Some brand new mushrooms had popped up from the base of a little hemlock.
• Witch's butter was striking against the moss through which it was growing.
• A simple, pure white mushroom was coming up a little farther down the log.
• It looked like this would have pores rather than gills.
• Next week: the Cary Pines Trail the side of the trail system.

Sightings