Hi folks,
Here are the results from yesterday's Clifton Bend Count. This is the lowest
number of species we've seen on this count and the second lowest number of
individuals. As with the Meeman-Shelby Forest count done on Friday, the
weather seems to have had major impacts on butterfly numbers. There were a
couple of bright spots, we had a good number of Red-banded Hairstreaks and a
noteworthy amount of Goatweed Leafwings. This was the highest number of
Goatweed Leafwings I've had on any count and I almost highlighted it with a
footnote on the form. Thanks to everyone for helping out with this spring's
counts. Next up is the Decatur County count June 2nd.
Bart Jones
Memphis, Shelby Co.
Region 13
Appalachians (KY, TN, WV)
William Haley, Regional Editor
1. Clifton Bend, TN. Yr. 8, 35.3759°, -88.0379°, center at jct. of TN Hwys. 114
and 128 in Hardin Co. just W of Clifton. See 2011 report for habitats. 21 April
2018; 0930-1630 hrs; sun AM 76-100%, PM 76-100%; 59-75°F; wind 3-12 mi/hr. 7
observers in 2 parties. Total party-hours 11; total party-miles on foot 3.
Observers: Bart Jones (2047 Higbee Ave., Memphis, TN, 38104;
bjones7777@xxxxxxxxxxx), B. Jones, R. Light, K. Malone, A. Trently, D. Ward, K.
Wilson.
Pipevine Swallowtail 12, Zebra Sw. 6, Black Sw. 1, E. Tiger Sw. 6,
Spicebush Sw. 10, Falcate Orangetip 14, Clouded Sulphur 1, Henry's Elfin 3,
Juniper Hairstreak 17, Red-banded Ha. 36, E. Tailed-Blue 10, 'Spring' Spring
Azure 2, Pearl Crescent 25, E. Comma 1, Com. Buckeye 1, Goatweed Leafwing 29,
Monarch 5, N. Cloudywing 1, Dreamy Duskywing 2, Sleepy Du. 7, Juvenal's Du. 18,
Horace's Du. 3, Zabulon Skipper 1, Pepper and Salt Sk. 3. Unidentified:
Swallowtail sp. 3, Hairstreak sp. 2, Duskywing sp. 20. Total 24 species, 239
individuals. Immatures: Pipevine Sw. 1 egg on Aristolochia serpentaria leaf;
Yucca Giant-Sk. 3 eggs on Yucca filamentosa leaf. Field Notes: This count was
postponed for 2 weeks because of inclement weather. The morning of the original
date saw snow flurries and a temperature of 33 with the high only in the mid
40s. This has been an extremely volatile spring with many nights in late March
and early April dipping to below or near freezing accompanied with copious
amounts of rain. This has had a tremendous impact on butterfly numbers as many
had emerged in late March, only to be dealt a serious blow with several frosts
and freezes.
