Our Natural Adventures

Tag: birds

  • June 6, 2025 – Erwin Wilder WMA and MSSF

    June 6, 2025 – Erwin Wilder WMA and MSSF

    Spent part of the morning looking for big butterflies (Swallowtails, Monarchs, etc) and Wild Indigo Duskywings. The day was a hazy sun, with temps in the lower 80’s and not much wind.

    I started out at the Erwin S. Wilder Wildlife Management Area in Norton, MA. This is a pretty good place for big butterflies with all of the Swallowtails seen there at one point or another. But not today. In fact, there were less butterflies flying there than I had ever seen. The typical Sulfurs, a Peck’s Skipper or two, a Least Skipper, two Red-spotted Purples flyover, a couple Zabulon Skippers and about 30 European Skippers. That seems to be how the European Skippers work. One day there may be none and the next there are several dozen. Strange species.

    European Skipper

    After this disappointment, I decided to go to Myles Standish State Forest where Wild Indigo Duskywings always fly at this time of year. Except today. I went to all the usual locations, Torrey Pond Road, Kamesit Road, etc and I saw 2 Duskywings. One was so worn that there was no telling what it was and one flew off into the woods never to be seen again.

    I did manage to see a Fowler’s Toad (photo above), a few Red-spotted Purples, 2 of which were taking turns at a pile of scat, 2 Indian Skippers, one worn but still flying strong Frosted Elfin, and one Eastern Tiger Swallowtail flyover.

    Red-spotted Purple enjoying a scat lunch
    Frosted Elfin

    So it was a bust of a day as far as getting the species that I wanted and I now believe that the cold May we just got through had quite an effect on the species that should be flying right now. I haven’t even SEEN a Spicebush Swallowtail. I’m not at a level of concern for these species right now, but it does seem like it could head in that direction if this keeps up.

  • May 30, 2025 – New and old locations

    May 30, 2025 – New and old locations

    We did something different today and decided to go to a place I found on Google Maps that looked good from the map but had no real previous reports of butterflies, most notably on iNaturalist.

    The location was Westville Conservation Area in Taunton, MA. Upon arrival, we were greeted with what could be the narrowest entry gate we have ever encountered. I wasn’t sure if the car would make it into the tiny parking lot (maybe 4 cars?). It did and luckily there was enough space to back into a spot for an easy exit later on.

    Westville Conservation Area parking lot

    Once we were settled in, we began to explore this wonderfully maintained property! The paths were wide and were all extremely low mowed grass. This was quite a treat compared to most of the places we visit. What we think was a Spicebush Swallowtail flew over the parking area when we started our walk which we thought was a good sign.

    Walking the trails is quite easy. They are lined with plants of various types. Vetch, Milkweed and other future flowering plants were abundant, but so were a lot of invasives, mainly bittersweet and roses. Although that is unfortunate, it seems like the place will still be nice throughout the butterfly season. There is a river that runs through the property and the bridges over the wet areas are brand new and perfectly stable. Did I mention it was a treat to walk around here?? 🙂

    One of the river areas on property

    We did see quite a few species of butterflies as well, although the numbers of individuals wasn’t overly impressive. Peck’s Skippers, Tawny-edged Skippers, Little Wood Satyrs (many), American Ladys, and a Cherry Gall Azure were all here. Dragonflies, Damselflies, and Ebony Jewelwings (photo above) are also abundant, especially in the wetter areas as would be expected.

    I think Tawny-edged Skipper for this. iNaturalist says Crossline. On vetch.

    There are many reasons for us to return to this property which will hopefully be revealed in a later post. Future butterflies should be abundant. We’ll see…

    From there, we went to an older area that we have walked before to see if the Silver bordered Fritillaries were flying yet. It is called the Great River Preserve in Bridgewater, MA. Although we didn’t see any Frits (it is a bit early still), we found a few common species such as Red Admirals, Peck’s Skippers, Pearl Crescents, Sulphurs and a mating pair of Viceorys which was the butterfly highlight of this location for sure.

    Mating Viceroy butterflies

    We also ran into quite a few Bobolinks. I had never seen such a bird since I generally pay no attention to the feathered friends out there. It is an interesting, almost goofy looking bird.

    Male Bobolink

    If you are in Bridgewater, you can’t end your day without a meal from Chatta Box. It is some of the greatest Thai food around! We are usually a hot mess by the end of the day and get it as take out. I am sure the staff appreciate that!

    The weekend looks like iffy weather all around with rain Saturday and possible sun, but colder temps Sunday, so we’ll see what we can find!

  • April 22, 2025 Atwood Reservoir

    April 22, 2025 Atwood Reservoir

    I took a quick lunch time trip to Atwood Reservoir in Carver, MA based on a tip of a Henry’s Elfin that I saw on iNaturalist. It was a nice day in the mid 60’s and quite sunny with very little breeze. I had also never been and wanted to see if the swamp area was (hopefully) white cedar. Long story short on that one, it isn’t white cedar. I also didn’t find any elfins. Two strikes. However, the location is a nice quick walk around cranberry bogs and a large reservoir which has plenty of things to observe.

    Parking is off of Meadow Street in Carver. It turns out that I parked across the street from the entrance, but I am not sure that it matters.

    Where I parked
    Actual entrance across the street

    The path is initially quite narrow going alongside a river.

    After a while it opens up into the cranberry bogs and from there on it is a bog road for a path.

    Along the way, I saw a few Spring Azures flying around but the sun was in front of me (bad for photography) so I walked quickly down the path and then walked back slowly since the sun was at my back (much better photos).

    Spring Azure

    The reservoir is nice with the typical species being seen along it like swans, turtles, frogs, and probably a snake or two (although I only found a snake skin).

    Mute Swans
    Painted Turtles

    There were several tiger beetles along the path which turned out to be bronzed tiger beetles.

    Bronzed Tiger Beetles (I am guessing male and female?)

    In all, the location is neat and not a complete strikeout, but I don’t see it as a huge butterfly location. I may check back later in the year though as there are alders and maples there which may mean harvesters… or not. In total, the walk was 1.5 miles or so and very flat.