The Austin 4th of July butterfly count had an all-time record number of species (63), all-time numbers of observers (25), and all-time high individual adult butterflies count (820).
We were lucky to have a day without rain, which has been rare lately in Austin. We've already had a year's worth of rain in the first 6 months, and the lush vegatation showed it.
We saw nothing terribly rare, just most of the regulars. Highlights were: 6 Great Purple Hairstreaks; the first Zebra that I'd had seen in Austin this year (they arrived in Zilker Garden about a week ago); 20 - 30 emperors at the bananas at the botanical garden, as well as 100 + elsewhere; huge numbers of Bordered Patches, with numerous caterpillar on Ragweed and one female laying a mound of eggs as we watched; good studies of Red-spotted Purples laying eggs on Cherry and of an early instar caterpillar; Viceroys at three different sites; and six White-striped Longtails, a skipper that was very rare until about 3 years ago.
Misses: Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, Least Skipper, Rawson't Metalmark, Ceraunus Blue, Large Orange Sulphur, more satyrs
I used to think that 60 species was possible in Austin. Now I wonder about 70!
Total Species: 63
Total individuals: 820
Observers: Lauren Bauer, Valerie Bugh, Robert Corbin, Manley Cullers, Dan Hardy, Mary Holland, Marianna Hobbs, Tim Hissam, John Kelly, Kathy McCormack, Derek Muschalek, David Millard, Lowe Johnston, L. Johnson, Mike Quinn, Mary Helen Quinn, Roxie Rochat, Jean Martin, Laura Southwick, Marvin Lewis, Jeff Taylor, Blake Vickers, Miriam Vaughn, Gary Waggerman,and Scott Young.
(Compiled by Dan Hardy)