Clear Creek butterfly count

The 2008 Clear Creek butterfly count was held on July 19, a week later than usual. This count was started by Mathis Natvik in 2000 and straddles the Chatham-Kent/ Elgin border. There are some interesting habitats, including abandoned railways that are excellent for butterflies.

This year we achieved 48 species. The average over the years is 45, with a high of 50 in both 2003 and 2005. A new addition for this year was a Pipevine Swallowtail. Many records were eclipsed or smashed this year. Sulphurs were in full force today, with Clouded setting a new high. Orange Sulphur broke the previous record of 427 last year with a new high of 637.

There were 8 Hickory Hairstreaks this year, a new high. Last year there was only one recorded by my party which was a first for the count. All were worn. Eastern Tailed-Blue was at 82, smashing the previous high of 24 from last year. The biggest jump was Summer Azure at 1222. The previous high was only 61 in 2001!

Our party spotted the only Snout of the day along the old railway near Highgate.

Eastern Commas were plentiful, with a tally of 17, and two Gray Commas were seen today. There was only one other Gray Comma ever in 2006.

Painted Lady seemed to be everywhere, and 85 were recorded today. The previous high was 51 in 2001.

In the skipper family, Silver-spotted was all around with 166 in total. The previous high was 134 in 2003. Twelve species of skippers were tallied in total, including 5 Long Dash, a new high.