The 2006 Carolina Butterfly Society field trip season got off to a good start when 7 folks met at Raven Rock SP, Harnett County, NC, today (Sat., March 11). Under awesome conditions – sunny and warm (temps 75-78) – we had the following (as compiled by Charlie Cameron):
E. Tiger Swallowtail 11
Falcate Orangetip 8
Orange Sulphur 1 (plus a few other Colias sp., probably Orange) Cloudless Sulphur 6
Sleepy Orange 18
Great Purple Hairstreak 3 – the highlight; nectaring on plum flowers
Spring Azure 7 (some best called azure - sp.)
American Snout 2
Variegated Fritillary 4
Mourning Cloak 1
Eastern Comma 1 (plus 1-2 fly-by Comma/Question Mark)
American Lady 5
Common Buckeye 21
Juvenal’s Duskywing 2
So – 14 species .. quite good for so early in spring. Chickasaw plums
were in bloom. We were a bit surprised to see so many E. Tigers but no
other swallowtails, particularly Zebra, which often precedes the Tiger.
Thanks to Bob Perkins for leading, with assistance from Paul Hart, the
Raven Rock SP superintendent.
Harry LeGrand
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