Date: 08/17/2017

Number: 2

I last wrote that I had no birds, butterflies and very few bees. Then the rains came. We had very heavy, soaking rains off and on for a couple of week. It was WONDERFUL Then all of them returned! The tall blue salvia is buzzing with bees like years before. Two weekends ago I had 6 humming birds at once fighting over my garden! Heretofore, the most I have ever seen at once here in N Arlington VA was two. Their favorite flowers are 1) tall blue salvia, 2) red and pink salvia, 3) zinnias.
They stayed around until yesterday. It has gotten dry again. We got a half hour of good rain but it was not enough. The leaves in the top of the trees are wilted. The last week was so hot and humid. I think they left for a wetter environment. I do have one or two yet. Today I saw it, I assume it is female since there is no red on it, chasing a yellow finch and a bearded sparrow. Hahaha What a sight!
I have seen only a single HB many times today. These are green HBs. I think they are called ruby throated but I have seen only one with red on it in the 5 years I have been watching.
The monarchs returned with the rains. I had two at once a couple of time in the past 2-3 weeks. Two is the most I have ever seen at once. the monarchs seem to be territorial as they seem to duel and chase each other around like the hummingbirds. Thursday I had a black swallowtail BF and a Monarch in the zinnias at the same time. they seemed to flirt with each other. there was no dueling; in fact they fed on zinnias just inches apart from one another. Where as the two monarchs chased each other off.
I had a yellow swallowtail about a week ago. It did not have any blue on it's wings which were tattered and torn. The black one also had tattered and torn wings. I have rarely seen swallowtails here.
The monarchs that I see here have a lot of little white dots on their bodies. I thought I saw on a website that these are called Queens.???
I have a lot of little tiny BFs or moths. wish I knew what they are. Usually have 1 to 5 white ones in my yard. The monarchs and swallowtails feed on zinnias, which are their favorite. Today I saw one on an Echinacea, and butterfly weed, the latter two being new to my garden this year. I find that HBs have to learn to drink from the feeders. It takes a while for them to discover them or figure out that they contain nectar. Similarly, BF's have to learn where to find food.
I'm just delighted to have such a good report this time.

Arlington, VA

Latitude: 38.9 Longitude: -77.1

Observed by: deborah
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