Just a reminder that the year's second count is this coming Saturday at
Thistlethwaite. We will meet at the kiosk at the entrance to the WMA at 9:30.
Everyone will need to sign in there at the Kiosk and get a day pass. Possible
species include Duke's Skippers, Delaware Skippers, Lacewing Roadside
Skippers, Silvery Checkerspots, and Tawny Emperors. In the past we have had
rarities such as White M HS, Queens, Dion Skippers, Yehl Skippers and Texas
Crescents.
It still hasn't rained much here in Acadiana, but I would again suggest boots
as a snake precaution. It will be hot so bring water/drinks. We typically
divide into groups in order to maximize areas covered and I will match any new
participants with one of the experienced group leaders.
I don't anticipate going all day. We will have lunch around noon in the
location where we always stop (the pipeline right-of-way where the Duke's
Skipper colony is located). Unless things are really hopping, we should be
finished by 3:00.
Here is the composite list from the count this past weekend at Indian Bayou. We
saw far more butterflies that I anticipated so I am cautiously optimistic that
we might see a fair amount at Thistlethwaite: 27 species and 742 individual
butterflies.
The Zebra is the first seen at this location as part of a count. I always
thought they were there, and my brother once told me of seeing one while turkey
hunting in the spring so I am not surprised. The White M HS is the second seen
over the years.
The Common Wood Nymph reported by Rosemary is also a new species for the unit
and the count. The previous records are from the Florida Parishes and Cen-La
where the habitat is open pines w/ tall grass
The Hayhurst total is a new high for our count. They were in places I had not
seen them before.
3 Pipevine ST
1 Zebra ST
6 Black ST
3 Giant ST
7 Spicebush ST
3 E. Tiger ST
3 Red-banded HS
1 White M HS
26 Am Snouts
1 Silvery Checker
363 Pearl Cres
2 Phaon Cres
29 Common Buckeyes
5 Question Marks
4 Red Admirals
8 Viceroys
10 Red-spotted Purples
19 Hackberry Emps
2 Tawny Emps
1 Common Wood Nymph
139 Caro. Satyrs
77 Hayhurst SW
2 Common Checkered-skippers
2 Tropical Checkered-skippers
2 Least Sks
1 Clouded Sk
5 Fiery Sks
Let me know who is planning to attend so I know who o be on the look for. My
cell is 33-7-654-4848 if anyone has questions or needs directions.
Craig Marks
