Barry Marts and I took a trip out to the Frederick City Watershed area (Maryland) in search of the Scrub Oak specialist, Edwards’ Hairstreak. After searching for basking individuals in meadows near the ponds at the “Sand Flats” Barry spotted one. This was a lifer for both of us. Other common species in that area were Great Spangled Fritillary (12), Little Wood-Satyr (10) and Silver-spotted Skipper (19). After lunch we headed to Shannondale Springs WMA where Common Milkweed is now in bloom. The largest area we found was in the field at the very end of the River Trail. Common species at Shannondale were Silver-spotted Skipper (30+), Little Glassywing (40+), Great Spangled Fritillary (10) and Banded Hairstreak (18). We also found a FOY Northern Broken-Dash.
I spotted the first Monarch of the season a few days ago. Isn’t it a bit early for Monarchs?
No it’s not too early. The first ones I saw this season were in May (a couple) and their numbers having been slowly increasing as the late spring and summer has progressed. I even saw a catapiller a couple of weekends ago at Shannondale Springs WMA. Here’s hoping that this year turns out much better than last.