Clear Creek Butterfly Count

It was an excellent day for a butterfly count in eastern Chatham-Kent and West Elgin.  The Clear Creek count was started by Mathis Natvik in 2000 and has some excellent prairie spots and abandoned railway.  Total species found was 51, which is a new high for the count history beating last year's total by one.

Giant Swallowtail on Knapweed

We gathered at Olav Natvik's first thing in the morning to get organized.  Things were off to a good start when I spotted a Little Yellow in his garden!  It was still flying around there at the end of the day.  It turned out to be the first of three.  Little Yellow is regularly found on this count.

Milbert's Tortoiseshell

Some record highs were set for a few species.  Milbert's Tortoiseshells, common this year, came in at 11, beating the previous high of 2 in 2005!
Common Buckeye totalled 12, beating previous highs of 2!

Common Buckeye

Silver-spotted Skippers were numerous, but not in record numbers.
Snout was found, the same as previous highs of one.
Red-spotted Purple must have just emerged, as 47 were found, beating the previous high of 7 in 2008.
Common Sootywings are numerous on this count, especially in a spot we always do along the old railway.  At least 20 were found.

Tawny Emperor

A single Pipevine Swallowtail was found by Adam Hall.  Only one other has been recorded on this count (2008).
Question Marks were fairly numerous.  I found one odd one that only had the comma mark--no dot!
The usual BBQ supper was held at Olav Natvik's at the end of the day.

I only had my small point and shoot camera today, so few photos and low quality!