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The Athol Bird and Nature Club hosted the Massachusetts Butterfly Club (MBC) and their introductory butterfly classes for a day of observation in Petersham. There are two concurrent classes in butterfly watching being held by the MBC. Gail Howe of Mass Audubon coordinates a class at Broad Meadow Brook Sanctuary in Worcester while Tom Gagnon, President of the Mass Butterfly Club, coordinates the Amherst workshop held at the Hitchcock Center. ABNC President Dave Small coordinated this field trip into Harvard Forest's Tom Swamp.
Cool temperatures and only one day of sunshine since the last rains
may
explain the relatively low numbers of butterflies observed in Harvard
Forest. Pink Azaleas, Rhodura, and Blueberries were in bloom. A
tiffany of bird calls including Chestnut-sided, Yellow, Black-throated Green, and
Black-throated Blue Warblers, Common Yellowthroat, Scarlet Tanagers,
Baltimore Orioles, Eastern Kingbird, and Northern Waterthrush greeted
the 25 members of the group.
Spring Azure butterflies, their lovely powder blue wings flashing as
they
bounced around the edge of the causeway through the bog, Tiger
Swallowtails and Clouded Sulfurs were noted. Juvenal's Duskywing, dark
brown open winged skippers, were the most abundant Butterfly noted near
Tom Swamp. An Eastern Pine Elfin and Pearl Crescents were observed on
the roadside as the group headed for the North Common Meadow to observe
some open meadow butterfly varieties.
The historic North Common Meadows is owned and maintained by the Trustees of Reservations and can be entered best from East Street across from the Petersham fire station. The site is well known to local birders for the open hayfields and the constant chatter of Bobolinks. These now uncommon birds of New England farms are noted for having more color on the back than the front. The plain black chest and belly, contrast sharply with the bright yellow patch on the nape and white down the back. The result resembles a dandelion as the male perches on low stems and proclaims its territory. The elimination of local farms and practice of early and multiple hay mowings have greatly reduced the productivity of these once common birds. Refuges like this one may be the only places these birds may successfully nest in the future.
The North Common Meadows have a plethora of butterflies. The mowed path provided great looks at Pearl Crescents, American Copper, Clouded and Orange Sulfurs, and Common Ringlet. A Dusted Skipper, Black Swallowtail, American Lady, and Dreamy Duskywing, were observed and photographed.
The caterpillars of the Harris Checkerspot Butterfly were found feeding on Flat Top Aster. These colorful black and orange larva overwinter in the soil and climb up the new plants in spring. They will soon form a chrysalis and emerge as beautiful black and orange adult butterflies in early June.
Gail Howe explains the life history of the Harris Checkerspot larva to Mass. Butterfly Club members at North Common Meadows in Petersham -- photo by Small
Also noted in the meadows were a Pickerel Frog, and several dragonflies and damselflies including: Fragile Forktail, Common Forktail, Dot tailed Whiteface, and a teneral Skimmer.
A stop at the Petersham General Store for ice cream ended a great outing as the group enjoyed relaxing on the picturesque freshly mowed common.
The next club trip for "Birds and Butterflies" will be June
4th to Mount
Graylock and Western Massachusetts with Mark Fairbrother (413-367-2695).
The
group will car pool from the Turner Falls fish ladder parking lot at
8:30
AM. Target species for the day will include Early Hairstreak, Arctic
Skipper, Silvery Blue, and Mourning Warbler.
Dave
e-mail
Dave
http://www.gis.net/~dhsmall
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