April 30, 2017

Today I ventured into both Goochland and Fluvanna Counties.  I did not have anything unexpected from a birding perspective as most breeders were encountered and only a Black-throated Blue Warbler was an apparent migrant, even though groups of 18 each Cedar Waxwings and Blue Jays were observed.

I knew today was going to be very active from a Cobra Clubtail perspective when I first noted a flying and then perched individual at 6:45 a.m.  As the morning continued they became VERY common.  As a matter of fact it was challenging to “weed through them” to find any other species.  Species and totals are below:

Cobra Clubtail                         500+ (conservative)
Spine-crowned Clubtail             5
Splendid Clubtail                        3
UnIDed Clubtail                          2 (not the above but flew before I could view successfully)
Stream Cruiser                           8
Illinois River Cruiser                  1
Swamp Darner                           3
E. Pondhawk                               1

April 22, 2017

I visited Goochland and Powhatan Counties this morning in dreary conditions but that doesn’t necessarily mean that species aren’t to be found.  Temperatures were in the mid 60’s for the 3 hours I was out and about.  I observed 72 bird species for the morning with the highlight being a slightly early male Bobolink at the Beaumont Correctional Facility.  Other highlights included 14 warbler species being observed which included Palm, Black-throated Green and Black-throated Blue Warblers.  Some photographs follow:

April 16, 2017

I ventured to Goochland and Fluvanna Counties today.  Warbler, Vireo species and their numbers are growing daily.  Butterflies continue in their outstanding numbers as far as number of individuals and for me species.  Odes were enjoyable today I as observed my first of year Green-faced Clubtails.  Again NO Blue Corporals?  Images and numbers follow:

Springtime Darner                2
Ashy Clubtail                          4
Spine-crowned Clubtail        5
Green-faced Clubtail            7
UnIDed Clubtails                   6
Steam Cruiser                       8
Common Baskettail            14
Common Whitetail              32
Twin-spotted Spiketail         2

Butterflies (no particular order):

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail           54
Pipevine Swallowtail                     1
Zebra Swallowtail                        16
Spicebush Swallowtail                52
Red-spotted Purple                       1
Eastern Comma                           17
Anglewing sp.                                 7
Pearl Crescent                              16
Juvenal’s Duskywing                    19
Duskywing sp. (non-Juvenal)        2
Common Sootywing                      2
Gemmed Satyr                               1
Juniper Hairstreak                         1
Silver-spotted Skipper                 37
Zabulon Skipper                             1
Falcate Orangetip                           1
Cabbage White                               3
Clouded Sulphur                           3

Also flying and enjoyable were both Hummingbird and Snowberry Clearwing Moths.  Several of each species were observed.

 

 

April 15, 2017

What a difference a week can make on encountering emerging odes.  Last week I observed 200+ Ophiogomphus susbehcha/Chesapeake Snaketail in Powhatan County and this week after covering the same and more habitat I only encountered 4.  Probably more unusual was the fact I saw NO Blue Corporals???

Springtime Darner                 1
Chesapeake Snaketail           4
Ashy Clubtail                           9
Steam Cruiser                         4
Common Baskettail             28
Common Whitetail               12
Fragile Forktail                        1

 

Birds were enjoyable early in the day with a Lincoln’s Sparrow being observed and FOS Warbling Vireo and Orchard Oriole.

 

Butterflies were in good numbers and species this morning.  Species observed included (in no order):

Pearl Crescent                    54
Eastern Tailed Blue            34
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail  18
Black Swallowtail                  1
Zebra Swallowtail               17
Silver-spotted Skipper       11
Juvenal’s Duskywing            9
Cabbage White                     3
Anglewing Sp.                       2
Eastern Comma                   3
Monarch                                2
Checkered White Skipper   3
Common Sootywing            3
Carolina Satyr                       1
Red-banded Hairstreak       1
Clouded Sulphur                15

April 9, 2017

I visited Powhatan County this morning with temperatures in the mid to upper 30’s and mostly clear skies. Birds of interest were both White-eyed and Blue-headed Vireo and eight (8) warbler species highlighted by several Palm Warblers.

I turned my attention to odes shortly before mid-morning. The emergence of Chesapeake Snaketails must be near its maxima as I enjoyed almost a “swarm” of them in a couple of areas.

Odonates:
Springtime Darner                  6
Chesapeake Snaketail        200+
Spine-crowned Clubtail          2
Ashy Clubtail                            6
Steam Cruiser                          3
Common Baskettail              12
Blue Corporal                        14

April 1, 2017

What an enjoyable day in Sussex County, Virginia!  The skies were partly cloudy at daybreak and temperatures were in the upper 40’s.  Birds were out and song was all around. First of Season (FOS) Ovenbirds (8), Black-and-White Warblers (5), Northern Parula (2) and White-eyed Vireos (2) were staking out territories.  Total bird species observed amounted to 54.

I turned my attention to Odes and Butterflies around 9 a.m. and these to were not going to disappoint.

Odonates:
Springtime Darner                     4
Harlequin Darner                       1
Ashy Clubtail                               3
Steam Cruiser                             3
Common Baskettail                 10
Robust Baskettail                       8
Baskettail sp.                            25
Common Whitetail                    6

Butterflies:
Zebra Swallowtail                     1
Black Swallowtail                      2
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail        8
Falcate Orangetip                     1
Clouded Sulphur                      1
Henry’s Elfin                              1
Red-banded Hairstreak           1
Eastern Tailed-Blue                12
Pearl Crescent                          1
Anglewing sp.                           1
American Lady                         1
Juvenal’s Duskywing               3
Carolina Roadside Skipper    1

Amphibians:
Spring Peeper
Upland Chorus Frog
Brimley’s Chorus Frog
Pickeral Frog