Migrants

[HpAzures at aol.com]

Bill Yule wrote, regarding this sudden surge of southern immigrants (Sachems, Fiery and Ocola Skippers, Checkered Whites, etc.):

<<Have I missed it all these past years or is this new?"

This really isn't new, but it's not the norm either, so you didn't miss them in such numbers and combinations.  At one time a Sachem, Fiery, Long-tailed or Ocola Skipper in New England would have been front-page news, and you would have been lucky to see just a single one of these all year.  Until this year, these would have been "lifers" for most New England butterfliers.  There have been historical records of these skippers but most are about 100 years old.  So for most folks, it is probably an experience that likely won't repeat itself again, or maybe it will.  Who knows.  

Certainly last year's non-winter played a large part in allowing these insects to overwinter much further north than in most years.  Heck, we had Cabbage Whites and Orange Sulphurs flying in every month of the past winter here in the Washington D.C. area.  I doubt we'll see a repeat next year but maybe this IS a sign of some kind of climatic warming (at least along the eastern seaboard).

Hey Bill, here's a challenge: Steve Walter just reported a Eufala Skipper from New York City.  Get your field guides out and watch for these along the Connecticut shore.  You never know!

Best,
Harry Pavulaan