Nature Notes - Merrimac Farm July 31 2011

The sky was clear and temperatures were in the low 80′s for the end of the month wildlife survey at Merrimac Farm on Sunday, July 31. A half dozen people toured mostly upland habitats and we were interested to see that flowering plants are beginning to shift from summer to fall blooming species.

Purple-headed Sneezeweed, Blue Mist Flower, Rose Pinks, and Queen Anne’s Lace were plentiful and in full bloom. Several species of Goldenrod are about to light up fields and forest edges, and the Bonesets won’t be far behind.

We had an exciting start to the morning when we spotted a gang of Wild Turkeys along the road to the Stone House. We counted about 20, and close to half of these were babies. Over the course of the morning, we sighted 31 different birds and 15 species of butterflies… the full list is included below the fold.

Planning a visit to Merrimac Farm with friends or family? Before you go, check out our group photo site here to see what wildlife others have seen recently as well as our bird and butterfly lists for Merrimac Farm. Please join us for our next nature walk at Merrimac Farm on Sunday,August 28, beginning at 8:00 am. It’s a great way to learn more about this great natural area and local wildlife.

BIRD LIST – July 31 2011

Wild Turkey
Turkey Vulture
Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Belted Kingfisher
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Acadian Flycatcher
Great Crested Flycatcher
Eastern Kingbird
White-eyed Vireo
Yellow-throated Vireo (unconfirmed)
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
American Crow
Carolina Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
Carolina Wren
House Wren
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Eastern Bluebird
Wood Thrush
American Robin
Gray Catbird
Cedar Waxwing
Prairie Warbler
Eastern Towhee
Field Sparrow
Northern Cardinal
Indigo Bunting
AmericanGoldfinch

BUTTERFLY LIST -July 31 1011

Zebra Swallowtail
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
Spicebush Swallowtail
Cabbage White
Great-spangled Fritillary
Pearl Crescent
Eastern Comma
Common Buckeye
Viceroy
Common Wood Nymph
Monarch
Silver-spotted Skipper
Horace’s Duskywing
Peck’s Skipper
Zabulon Skipper

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