Outdoor Ontario

Wildlife Reports => Southern Ontario Wildlife => Topic started by: Craig McL on April 16, 2012, 10:09:53 AM

Title: Red Admirals 04 -16-12
Post by: Craig McL on April 16, 2012, 10:09:53 AM
in the last 15 minits 21 Red Admirals wear seen on or passing over our
house in Old Whitby
going to be a great day
Craig McL
Title: Re: Red Admirals 04 -16-12
Post by: Bluffs Birder on April 16, 2012, 11:41:46 AM
To further Craig's report...

If you haven't noticed them already, there's a huge movement of Red Admiral butterflies that started yesterday afternoon along the shore of Lake Erie and is moving northward.  They're flying in on the warm air that we're experiencing today in the region.  I've already counted 50+ in the backyard in less than 15 minutes.  Watch for a dark fast flying butterfly that has an orangy-red band of colour on it's upper wings.

(sample)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-A92dAreaPQ0/S5nIcvxD8JI/AAAAAAAASMI/K4qWyjQqrA4/s400/Red%2520Admiral%2520%252886%2529.JPG)

Walter
Title: Re: Red Admirals 04 -16-12
Post by: Howieh on April 16, 2012, 02:11:13 PM
Yup, they're here too (Bayview & Steeles) in pretty good numbers. Probably a silly question Walter, but are there any flowering butterfly foodplants blooming yet at Rosetta MG?
Title: Re: Red Admirals 04 -16-12
Post by: Bird Brain on April 16, 2012, 02:27:12 PM
Hi everyone.

This morning at Maplewood Park, 8:30 - 11am:

120+ Red Admirals, including one that landed on my jacket.  These beauties are everywhere!  Dozens were flying through the tunnel below Aquitaine Ave., connecting Lake Aquitaine and Maplewood Park.  It was amazing to observe - have never seen anything like this before!  They were also gathering on white flowers in apple trees?
10+ Cabbage Whites

11:30am - 1:00pm, Lake Wabukayne:

30+ Red Admirals
10+ Cabbage Whites
"mystery" butterfly, maybe a Question Mark ... Bob (rcflier) took photos!  Will have to see these later for i.d.
Title: Re: Red Admirals 04 -16-12
Post by: Bluffs Birder on April 16, 2012, 03:59:45 PM
Hi Howie,

No, nothing planted yet other then tulips, daffodils and lilies.  There are other spring flowers out but not sure if any are 'food' plants.

Walter
Title: Re: Red Admirals 04 -16-12
Post by: Reuven_M on April 16, 2012, 05:15:32 PM
Plenty of red admirals nectaring on dandelions in guelph.
Title: Re: Red Admirals 04 -16-12
Post by: rcflier on April 16, 2012, 06:46:19 PM
Jo-Anne's Red Admiral

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-FIEl7P0mlIU/T4yc57wgx2I/AAAAAAAAE0Q/_r9xXRECiJc/s576/DSC_3300.JPG)

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-YQBkKYiwQqY/T4yc9xU2UbI/AAAAAAAAE00/-Y-QYIwLOBo/s576/DSC_3307.JPG)

and "mystery" butterfly = Eastern Comma
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-umVoISVj89o/T4ySvghAieI/AAAAAAAAErk/Lom18Pc00io/s576/DSC_3333.JPG)
Title: Re: Red Admirals 04 -16-12
Post by: Bluffs Birder on April 16, 2012, 07:46:52 PM
Nice photos!  Your mystery butterfly is an Eastern Comma.

Walter
Title: Re: Red Admirals 04 -16-12
Post by: Bird Brain on April 16, 2012, 07:56:45 PM
Bob - great photos!  :D  Photo #1: it's as thrilling having a butterfly land on my jacket as a bird landing in one's hand to eat.  Photo #2: totally loving this one!  Beautiful photo.  Photo #3: Cool!   8)  Thank Goodness for your camera and photos - helps SO much with identifying birds and butterflies!
Title: Re: Red Admirals 04 -16-12
Post by: Bird Brain on April 16, 2012, 07:58:45 PM
Quote from: "Bluffs Birder"
Nice photos!  Your mystery butterfly is an Eastern Comma.

Walter
Hi Walter.  Thank You for identifying the mystery butterfly!  Any pointers for telling the difference between Eastern Comma and Question Mark?   :?
Title: Re: Red Admirals 04 -16-12
Post by: Bluffs Birder on April 17, 2012, 11:35:04 PM
Hi Jo-Anne,

When the wings are held open, there is an extra 'dark' spot on the upper forewing of the Question Mark.  And when the wings are held closed, on the lower hindwing there is a silver coloured 'comma' on the Eastern Comma and a silver coloured 'question mark' on the Question Mark.

Walter
Title: Re: Red Admirals 04 -16-12
Post by: Bird Brain on April 18, 2012, 03:08:46 PM
Walter ... Thanks very much for the information!   :)

This afternoon between 12:30-2:00pm, 50+ Red Admirals at Maplewood Park and 1 Cabbage White.
Title: Re: Red Admirals 04 -16-12
Post by: Bluffs Birder on April 19, 2012, 10:40:57 PM
Here is the article about the butterfly movement from the Toronto Star this morning:

http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/1163931--tidal-wave-of-butterflies-hits-eastern-canada

The part where it says "...one man found an estimated 20,000 butterflies in the backyard..." is somewhat misleading, he actually counted the butterflies as they passed through his yard heading northward.

Walter