CAzBA fieldtrip report Spur Cross Conservation Area, March 27, 2010.
10 people joined us while we explored a new area just north of Cave Creek. Eventhough this trip was already postponed with 2 weeks because of the cold weather, it was still a little early for butterflies to be out. Last year 3rd week of March, I tallied 32 species of butterflies walking exactly the same loop. But this spring with al the rain and cold weather so far, yielded only 13 species between scouting on Thursday and the actual walk yesterday.
Spring White 2, Sara Orangetip 6, “Pima” Desert Orangetip 8, Sleepy Orange 1, Martin’s Square-spotted Blue 1, American Snout 3, Variable Checkerspot 1, California Patch 1, Painted Lady 1, Empress Leilia 5, Mourning Cloak 2, Common Buckeye 2, Orange Skipperling 1.
We did however gorge on the desert wildflowers, with 38 plants ID-ed! (Thanks Mel and Laurie!)
Marceline VandeWater & Ron Rutowski (tripleaders)
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