Butterfly Season

Greetings, Have you been noticing butterflies fluttering about lately? This past weekend I was at the Patuxent Research Refuge and saw this lovely Red-banded Hairstreak. It isn't the biggest butterfly (about 1 inch), but there is no mistaking that red band on the wings! The caterpillar for this species feeds on fallen leaves of oaks and sumacs, so plenty of caterpillar food in our area. Just a reminder, the Howard County Bird Club has an online form on their website for you to submit your butterfly observations in Howard County, https://howardbirds.website/butterflyreport/

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