Netitishi Point Butterfly Sightings

Alan did the butterfly sightings for the trip as well, here's his report:



Everyone,

Brandon R. Holden, Mark W. Jennings and myself have just returned from an
expedition to Netitishi Point on James Bay, where we were present on the
dates of August 13-26 inclusive. A map showing the location of Netitishi
Point can be found here:

http://tinyurl.com/3w379cj


NETITISHI POINT:

Although our trip was more-or-less within the transition period between
"summer" and "fall" butterflies were still numerous. In total we
recorded 13 species at Netitishi Point, as follows:

Western Checkered-White:
This was the 2nd most numerous species, after Cabbage White. Seen daily
with a maximum count of 40+ on August 21.

Cabbage White:
The most numerous species, but very scarce before a huge emergence on
August 21 when we saw 250+.

Mustard White:
A few individuals seen, always within the spruce forest rather than the
coastal meadows.

Common Sulphur:
A few individuals in the coastal meadows.

Orange Sulphur:
One on August 16.

Bronze Copper:
A high count of 30 on August 14, in the coastal meadows. Prior to a
couple of years ago this species was unknown for James Bay, so presumably
it is a recent colonizer via probable strays. The species was also
reported this summer by other researchers on James Bay, at North Point I
believe.

Spring Azure:
Singles on August 19 (photos), 22 and 24. All were worn. We puzzled
over these since it is extremely late for the species, but funny things
happen in the north. They definitely were not Summer Azures.

Atlantis Fritillary:
Seen daily in small numbers; always associated with the spruce forest,
rather than coastal meadows.

Arctic (Purple Lesser) Fritillary:
Seen almost daily in small numbers; always associated with the spruce
forest and associated clearings.

Orange (Northern) Crescent:
A few individuals, all worn.

Mourning Cloak:
One or two starting on August 24.

White Admiral:
One worn on August 13-19; a late occurrence.

Common Ringlet:
One on August 16 in coastal meadows.

No stray immigrants were seen, but we believe Netitishi Point would be an
optimum location to find them since we did see some stray dragonfly
species. The month of September would likely be the most productive,
perhaps June as well.


MOOSONEE:

We also had a few interesting observations at Moosonee.

August 12 sightings: AW, BRH, MWJ

August 27-29 sightings: AW and Karl R. Overman

European Skipper:
Three fresh on August 12 at the Moosonee dump; a late occurrence for a
species that is single-brooded throughout northern Ontario. None seen
there August 26-27.

Peck's Skipper:
One ragged female at Moosonee (south end of Quarry Road) on August 29;
likely a late record for this location.

Western Checkered-White:
Two at Moose Factory on August 27, and several around Moosonee August
28-29.

Great Spangled Fritillary:
Two worn males several miles south of Moosonee (Quarry Road) on August
28. The status of this species in the Hudson Bay Lowlands is unclear,
since the only prior record is apparently limited to a sighting I made of
an egg-laying female at Moose Factory on August 17, 1990. Together with
the recent sightings, it seems probable that the species is resident in
the lush (disturbed) areas of Moosonee and Moose Factory.

PHOTOS:  (LINK TO ALANS PHOTOS HERE: http://groups.google.com/group/onbutterflies/browse_thread/thread/3bf76e0c23e8ab01

Western Checkered-White -- open -- Netitishi Point -- August 21
Western Checkered-White -- closed -- Moosonee -- August 28
Great Spangled Fritillary -- Moosonee -- August 28
Arctic (Purple Lesser) Fritillary -- Netitishi Point -- August 16


Alan Wormington








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I will post my own butterfly pics to the blog sometime in the future! (When I edit them)