Registrar: Matthew Fischer
Participants: 14
Weather: Fair; low 60s; max wind gust of 18 mph
Bird Species: 39
Upon arriving, the Linnaean participants were greeted by our excellent leader, Rick Cech. Rick immediately guided us to an adjacent patch dominated by short bluestem grasses that host Dusted Skippers. We were fascinated by these small but interesting butterflies. Also present were Northern and Southern Cloudywings. We continued to explore a variety of local habitats where a diverse number of butterfly species find their homes, including a cooperative little Red-banded Hairstreak.
These little creatures all captured our attention, from the tiny Least Skippers to the European Skippers, Packs Skippers, Hobomok Skippers, and the Long Dashes. Rick also found an attractive larger skipper, the Hoary Edge, though the date was early for this species at WPR. Little Wood Satyrs were abundant and very active, but rarely landed for a photograph.
From Rick, we also learned the sequence of skipper species emergence as the season progresses and as various plant species mature. He emphasized the salient features of each skipper species.
We were captivated by excellent views of larger butterflies. The Appalachian Brown is a special butterfly of sedge meadows, a target species at Ward Pound Ridge. Other colorful butterflies included three Question Marks, two Red-spotted Purples, some little Eastern-tailed Blues, and Summer Azures, Pearl Crescents, and the special butterfly we were anxiously awaiting to see: the Harris’ Checkerspot.
Rick guided us right to where it would be, and it put on quite a show. Many pictures of it are posted below, after the species list. In all, 28 butterfly species were counted in that location and three Great Spangled Fritillaries were found in another area. They were just beginning to emerge in synchronicity with the blooming milkweed plants.
Th ecology of Ward Pound Ridge is unique, attracting not only butterflies but certain odonates as well. Steve Walter spotted a dragonfly that is rare for this area, the Maine Snaketail, “an uncommon species found in central and western Massachusetts” and infrequently in southeastern Canada. He also saw a Lancet Clubtail.
We caught sight of several damselflies. Fragile Forktails were numerous. A treat was the Aurora
Damselfly, which often holds its wings partially spread. A very attractive dragonfly, the Harlequin Darner, landed on the gravel path, and an extremely cooperative and striking Black-shouldered Spinyleg perched, allowing us to photograph it. Common Whitetails were another abundant species.
After lunch Rick took us up a hill to one more area, where he identified a Spicebush Swallowtail. He explained that this area would bloom in a couple of weeks, with many butterfly species enjoying the bounty.
Many reptiles and amphibians inhabit this area. Rick found an American Toad clinging to the
bark of a tree and looking very much like the bark. It was a great opportunity for observing and photographing. A Black Rat Snake appeared to be napping in a tree; it’s often seen here. We were serenaded by the croaking of a Bull Frog, and photographed a Green Frog.
We also enjoyed hearing and seeing many bird species. Some highlights included Great-crested Flycatcher, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Eastern Bluebird, Cedar Waxwing, Field Sparrow, Baltimore Oriole, Ovenbird, Blue-winged Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Prairie Warbler, and Indigo Bunting.
It was soon time to leave, but we will never forget our wonderful outdoor classroom at Ward Pound Ridge.
Species List
Birds
Mourning Dove
Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Chimney Swift
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Great Blue Heron
Turkey Vulture
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Eastern Wood-Pewee
Great-crested Flycatcher
Warbling Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
American Crow
Barn Swallow
Tree Swallow
Carolina wren
Eastern Bluebird
American Robin
Gray Catbird
Cedar Waxwing
House Sparrow
American Goldfinch
Chipping Sparrow
Field Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Baltimore Oriole
Brown-headed Cowbird
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Ovenbird-5
Blue-winged Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Yellow Warbler
Prairie Warbler
Indigo Bunting
Northern Cardinal
Amphibians and Reptiles
Green Frog
Bull Frog
American Toad
Black Rat Snake
Butterflies
Black Swallowtail
Spicebush Swallowtail
Cabbage White
Clouded Sulphur
Red-banded Hairstreak
Eastern-tailed Blue
Summer Azure
Great Spangled Fritillary
Harris` Checkerspot
Pearl Crescent
Question Mark
Red Admiral
Red-spotted Purple
Appalachian Brown
Little Wood Satyr
Common Ringlet
Monarch Butterfly
Silver-spotted Skipper
Hoary Edge
Southern Cloudywing
Northern Cloudywing
Wild Indigo Duskywing
Least Skipper
European Skipper
Peck`s Skipper
Long Dash
Hobomok Skipper
Dusted Skipper
Odonates
Ebony Jewelwing
Fragile Forktail
Aurora Danselfly
Variable Dancer
Powdered Dancer
Green Darner
Harlequin Darner
Lancet Clubtail
Southern Pygmy Clubtail
Black-shouldered Spinyleg
Maine Rusty Snaketail
Prince BaskettailCommon Baskettail
Blue Dasher
Eastern Pondhawk
Twelve-spotted Skimmer
Spangled Skimmer
Common Whitetail
Halloween Pennant
