July 23rd’s outing to Aspen Corner off Snowbowl Road in Flagstaff proved to be a wonderful break from the Valley heat. Pine and Aspen forests, meadows and a tank were full of activity. Although we had a slow beginning because of clouds, the twelve of us ended up spotting 18 species. Besides looking for butterflies, there were plenty of other critters to entertain us. The berm at the tank with wonderful views of the Mountains reflected in the water was a perfect place to have our snacks.
Butterflies: Northwestern (Atlantis) Fritillary, Weidemeyer's Admiral, Western Tiger Swallowtail, Mourning Cloak, Hoary Comma, Melissa Blue (a 1st for many! photo by Marianne Jensen), Boisduval’s Blue, Reakirt’s Blue, Silvery Blue, Greenish Blue, Marine Blue, Spring Azure, Afranius Duskywing, Meridian Duskywing, Taxiles Skipper, Garita Skipperling, Dainty Sulphur, Orange Sulphur..
Day Flying Moths: Veined Ctenucha Moth, Police Car Moth
Flies: Orange Tachinid Fly, Yellow-belted Tachinid Fly
Insects: Pleasing Fungus Beetle, Tiger Beetle
Aquatic: Arizona Tree Frog, Tiger Salamander larvae (ID thanks to Ron)
Reptiles: Short-horned Lizard
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Portal- Saturday, July 23 Meet at Forest Service Visitors Center (just west of Portal) at 8:00 AM (parking lot and toilets there open at 8:00 AM). The only count with Snow’s Skipper No compilation dinner planned. Compiler: Fred Heath fred.heath43@gmail.com
Santa Rita Mountains Summer- Sunday July 31, Meet at McDonalds in Green Valley (Continental Rd, Exit 63 of I-19) at 7:30 AM. Recorded 84 species in 2015 (second most species for a summer count) including 22 species with the high count in the nation. One of only two counts which found Ursus Giant-Skipper Compilation dinner at El Patio 100 W Duval Mine Rd, Green Valley Exit 69 off I-19. Compiler: Mary Klinkel munchita@msn.com
Ramsey Canyon- Monday, August 1, Meet at IHOP 1906 S Hwy 92, Sierra Vista at 6:00 AM. Number two count in the nation with 95 species last year and the only Saltbush Sootywing and Moon-marked Skippers. Compilation dinner at Bob Behrstock and Karen LeMay's house in Ash Canyon, (Choice of pizza or lasagna $5 per person, bring your own beverage). Compiler: Doug Danforth danforthdg@aol.com
Patagonia- Monday, August 8, Meet at Gathering Grounds, Patagonia at 6:00 AM. #1 count in the nation with 97 species with 25 high counts and the only count that found White Angled-Sulphur and Tropical Least Skipper last year and had an off-the-charts record high count of Dull Firetip with 3327 counted (the previous record high count was 563) . Compilation dinner at 5:00 PM in Patagonia at the Wagon Wheel (across the street and a bit to the southwest from the Gathering Grounds). Compiler: Rich Bailowitz raberg2@q.com
Santa Rita Mountains Fall- Sunday, October 2. 66 species recorded (tied for third for a fall count) including 5 high counts with the only Chiricahua White and Red-bordered Satyr found. Meet at McDonalds in Green Valley (Continental Rd, Exit 63 of I-19) at 7:30 AM. Compilation dinner at El Patio 100 W Duval Mine Rd, Green Valley Exit 69 off I-19. Compiler: Mary Klinkel munchita@msn.com
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