Explorations of an Ecologist: Butterflies in Brechin

Monday 16 July 2018

Butterflies in Brechin

A few days ago I was in the Brechin area to complete the final round of bird surveys at one of my work sites. I rarely bring my camera with me in the field when I complete bird surveys just because it is often difficult to focus on the surveys as well as photography, but I did this time. The easy terrain (open, grassy areas) and abundance of butterflies on my previous site visit was all the motivation I needed to lug the camera around. I was hoping that despite the overcast conditions a few butterflies would be on the wing.

Grasshopper Sparrow - Brechin, Ramara Township, Simcoe County, Ontario

The site was pretty weedy with a high percentage of non-native species; the Viper's Bugloss and Knapweed, while non-native, is very attractive as a nectar source to butterflies, native and non-native species alike.

Dun Skipper - Brechin, Ramara Township, Simcoe County, Ontario

Common Sulphur - Brechin, Ramara Township, Simcoe County, Ontario

European Skipper - Brechin, Ramara Township, Simcoe County, Ontario

Common Wood-Nymph - Brechin, Ramara Township, Simcoe County, Ontario

Great Spangled Fritillaries (male and female) - Brechin, Ramara Township, Simcoe County, Ontario

Great Spangled Fritillary - Brechin, Ramara Township, Simcoe County, Ontario

European Skipper - Brechin, Ramara Township, Simcoe County, Ontario

I was thrilled to finally have a chance to photograph Columbine Duskywing, a species that is quite similar to Wild Indigo Duskywing which is common in southwestern Ontario. Colombine Duskywing is generally more frequent north of Lake Ontario and along the southern shield, and is usually found near its footplant - Red Columbine.

Columbine Duskywing - Brechin, Ramara Township, Simcoe County, Ontario

A nice cattail wetland runs through the property. I was happy to hear Sedge Wrens singing away on my first visit, and they were still present during the second visit.

Sedge Wren - Brechin, Ramara Township, Simcoe County, Ontario

A good diversity of butterflies were located within the wetland including my first ever Aphrodite Fritillary, and the first Eyed Browns that I have had a chance to photograph.

Aphrodite Fritillary - Brechin, Ramara Township, Simcoe County, Ontario

Eyed Brown - Brechin, Ramara Township, Simcoe County, Ontario

Eastern Tailed-Blue - Brechin, Ramara Township, Simcoe County, Ontario

White-banded Toothed Carpet - Brechin, Ramara Township, Simcoe County, Ontario

Peck's Skipper - Brechin, Ramara Township, Simcoe County, Ontario

Halloween Pennant

Eyed Brown - Brechin, Ramara Township, Simcoe County, Ontario

Monarch - Brechin, Ramara Township, Simcoe County, Ontario

Long Dash - Brechin, Ramara Township, Simcoe County, Ontario

Above is a worn Long Dash; below is a fresh one from my previous visit in late June.

Long Dash - Brechin, Ramara Township, Simcoe County, Ontario

Orange Mint Moth - Brechin, Ramara Township, Simcoe County, Ontario

Goldenrod Crab Spider - Brechin, Ramara Township, Simcoe County, Ontario

This Eastern Kingbird tolerated my approach, allowing me to snap a few photos that I was happy with.

Eastern Kingbird - Brechin, Ramara Township, Simcoe County, Ontario

Below are a few more photos of the various insects found throughout the property. All told I finished with around 22 species of butterflies for the day.