XTable of Contents--List of Stories
Martin Bialecki found the first two butterflies of the 2001 season on March 21 in the extreme southwest corner of a Washtenaw county. One was a Mourning Cloak and the other was a Milbert's Tortoise Shell. Later that same day additional Mourning Cloaks and a new species the Eastern Comma were discovered in two parks east of Ann Arbor.
This year's first butterflies were found much later than last year's early sighting which was seen on February 29. Last year we had an unusual early Spring and we had a number early over-wintering butterflies appearing on the scene in the beginning of March. This year's first butterfly date is more consistent with the typical emergence pattern.
John Swales found an American Painted Lady on April 8 in the old west side of Ann Arbor. The sighting was a record early date for the survey. Typical first sightings of the species usually occur toward the third or fourth week of April. Speculation was that warm southernly air flow of the April 7-8 weekend brought the butterfly up from further south.
The other exciting butterfly news for Sunday April 8 occured at the Geology Center in the Waterloo Recreation Area of western Washtenaw County. Two uncommon for our area Compton's Tortoise Shells were on the trail running through Beech Woods. This rather wet woods has over the past few years been the best place to locate this magnificent butterfly.
At one place on the trail, there was a Maple tree with a small hole drilled in it that dripped sap down the bark. One of the Compton's Tortoise Shells, along with two Mourning Cloaks, and three Eastern Commas fed hungrily on the sugary solution. Close observation of all butterflies up to one foot was obtained. What a treat!
