Fieldtrip report March 14th to Mesquite Wash and Sycamore Creek
21 butterfly enthusiasts armed with field guides, bino’s and cameras met early Saturday morning to venture out along the Beeline Hwy on a quest to find butterflies. Ron our knowledgeable leader first took us to Mesquite Wash where a roost of Pipevine Swallowtails was just starting to wake and warm up. After that a side canyon of Sycamore Creek was explored and everyone was amazed by the sheer numbers of Variable Checkerspots (Chalcedona) flying about. We found a total of 22 species of butterflies, made some new friends and promised to meet up again for the April fieldtrip to Rackensack Cayon. Total list of butterflies seen: Pipevine Swallowtail, Checkered White, Spring White, Pearly Marble, Sara Orangetip, “Pima” Desert Orangetip, Dainty Sulphur, Acmon Blue, Spring (Echo) Azure, American Snout, California Patch, Bordered Patch, Tiny Checkerspot, Variable Checkerspot, Mourning Cloak, Red Admiral, Painted Lady, Common Buckeye, Empress Leilia, Meridian Duskywing, Golden-headed Scallopwing, Orange Skipperling.
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