Fiery Skipper – Cape May, NJ

I was in the Cape May area for a long weekend of birding and along the way stopped by any available nectar sites. I stayed with some friends in a rental on Pearl Ave in Cape May Point. Right around the corner were a couple of homes with butterfly gardens. In fact, Monarch tagging takes place at one of these homes. Temps during the afternoon reached the mid 60’s. During one of the visits I found a female Sachem basking on one of the many beautiful flowers along the road. Then I noticed a larger skipper nearby. Upon inspection this turned out to be a Fiery Skipper (lifer); a late season migrant into WV on occasion but more common along the coast. I also obtained my first photos of a Cloudless Sulphur at Cape May Point State Park. Other species seen included: Monarch, Painted Lady, Orange and Cloudless Sulphur, Cabbage White and Red Admiral.