Warm weather stirs insects: discover Mourning Cloak!

Adventure out in this surprising heat to woodland trails! Experience the harsh midday light in this moment before early flowers and foliage burst forth. You are quite likely to discover this early butterfly: Mourning Cloak. Unlike most other butterfly species that winter in the larva stage, the adults of this species enter hollow trees and woodpiles to hibernate through the winter. How does the early butterfly survive with scarce if any nectar sources? In spring Mourning Cloak feeds on tree sap, particularly from oaks. It also visits the sap wells kept open by sapsuckers, visits mud puddles, and may feed on fermenting fruit.  

 

Mourning Cloak

 

Be like the Mourning Cloak! Get out early and be industrious! Our postponed Timber Harvest is planned for this Saturday.  On Earth Day you can volunteer at River Walk and/or join our River Walk March for Science. Or you can “Spring into nature!” with a guided hike. Perhaps you want to learn more about binoculars and join a guided bird walk go to Bartholomew’s Cobble for this month’s wildflower festival. Event details are listed below.