Folks:
It was a lot tougher butterflying at Holly Shelter Game Land, Pender
Co., NC, than on the Carolina Butterfly Society trip there two years
ago. Two years ago, there was no drought. In 2008, though the creeks are
full, the savannas and other "uplands" are crackling dry. Nectar sources
are fewer, few herbaceous plants are doing anything except in the
scrapes and borrow pools, etc. Somehow, thanks to excellent weather
(mostly sunny, highs near 80, and low humidity -- and windy but
sheltered by the trees), and a very nice-sized group of 13 people
working through the two main hotspot areas, we managed to see all five
target species! But, Dusky Roadside-Skipper was a major challenge, and
it looked like we had missed it until Derb Carter found one as we were
heading out for one last chance. At the first stop, we found the first
target -- Yucca Giant-Skipper after a few minutes, then a Reversed
Roadside-Skipper was found, and most folks got to see one or two, but
looks weren't great. The third target -- Dusted Skipper -- was also
there (but, as it can be seen in the Piedmont, it isn't a key species).
To the second spot with two targets to find, we quickly had decent
numbers of fresh Frosted Elfins, another target. But we must have spent
1.5 hours fanning though the savannas and flatwoods at this second spot,
before Derb flagged down our vehicles as we were moving out. Even then,
it was a few minutes before the little black bug -- the Dusky R-S --
would stop flying, settle down, and get to places where we could all see
it and get photos. But, we stayed with it for a few minutes.
The afternoon was spent mostly photographing carnivorous plants.
Thankfully, I know the game land well enough to know where the key
borrow pools are for carnivorous plants, and one had several hundred
Sarracenia flava in bloom -- a beautiful yellow spectacle; some S.
purpurea were in bloom (maroon flowers); along with lots a blue
butterwort, and lots of non-blooming Venus flytraps. At the second
butterfly spot, we saw some yellow butterworts in bloom; but, alas, the
small butterwort (Pinguicula pumila) could not be found in a powerline
clearing where I had seen then on earlier trips.
Here is the meager list, but with all the key targets, for April 19:
E. Tiger Swallowtail 8
Palamedes Swallowtail 70
Spicebush Swallowtail 5
Cloudless Sulphur 15
Red-banded Hairstreak 5
Frosted Elfin 14 target
Pearl Crescent 30
American Lady 1
Red Admiral 1
Silver-spotted Skipper 1 seen along the NE Cape Fear River
Northern Cloudywing 2
Southern Cloudywing 2 spring brood cloudywings are hard to ID, so
totals a bit shaky, but both species seen
Juvenal's Duskywing 1 very worn
Reversed Roadside-Skipper 3 target
Dusky Roadside-Skipper 1 target
Dusted Skipper 7 target
Yucca Giant-Skipper 2
And, after the trip had ended, Will Cook's carload stopped by a place in
Rocky Point (Pender Co.) and added the following:
Zebra Swallowtail 1
Carolina Satyr 1
Silver-spotted Skipper 1
Clouded Skipper 1
A great time was had by all, though this leader was sweating out the
Dusky Roadside-Skipper! And, let's hope the region gets more rain!
Harry LeGrand
Raleigh
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