McKeough Blues

 A stellar find was reported on Friday at the W. Darcy McKeough Dam by Dale Buchner of Sarnia.  While I was into Elgin County (!), I received a text from Dale that he had found a Marine Blue!

I knew the rarity of this, so it was certainly something I was going to look for on Saturday.  I had other plans, but I would stop at McKeough on my way back around mid-day.  While out and about, I recieved word that a Marine Blue was still there!  I arrived at the site in the noon hour, then looked, and looked, and looked to no avail.  I gave up!

The weather did not look ideal for Sunday, but as usual the forecast was not accurate.  I was at McKeough early, so walked around for a bit.  I then spent a lot of time going back and forth at the site, then finally....there it was!

The creature did not move the whole time. It is a tiny butterfly, so can be easily missed.  

One wonders how many are there, as the Sarnia crew thought they had two on Saturday.

The Marine Blue is very rare in Ontario.  I remember in the past when they were reported.  The following is what I got off the Ontario Butterfly Atlas.

1993:  a small colony was at Point Pelee from 19 May-19 Sept.

1999:  One was a Point Pelee on July 31

2013:  Alan Wormington found one at Pelee on July 19

2008:  At least two at Marie Curtis Park, Toronto 12-14 July;  one was at High Park 22 July

2008:  Ross Macintosh and Jerry Ball found one at Seacliffe, Essex 9 August.

After my find, I went for a long walk at Reid CA.  I found another Dukes' Skipper, but in a completely different spot!  It was on the edge of the back field, but on the west side near the river.  I suspect there is another little colony somewhere in the woods in that area.

Then I went musseling at Moore WMA!

Mapleleaf