Red Admirals 04 -16-12

[Craig McL]

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

[Bluffs Birder]

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)


Walter

[Howieh]

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?

[Bird Brain]

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.

[Bluffs Birder]

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

[Reuven_M]

Plenty of red admirals nectaring on dandelions in guelph.

[rcflier]

Jo-Anne's Red Admiral





and "mystery" butterfly = Eastern Comma

[Bluffs Birder]

Nice photos!  Your mystery butterfly is an Eastern Comma.

Walter

[Bird Brain]

Bob - great photos!    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!    Thank Goodness for your camera and photos - helps SO much with identifying birds and butterflies!

[Bird Brain]

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?   :?

[Bluffs Birder]

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

[Bird Brain]

Walter ... Thanks very much for the information!  

This afternoon between 12:30-2:00pm, 50+ Red Admirals at Maplewood Park and 1 Cabbage White.

[Bluffs Birder]

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