Bluebirds Butterfl ies ELINOR KLAPP-PHIPPS PARK More than 75 butterfl y species have been observed in Over the years, land has been cleared for housing and Elinor Klapp-Phipps Park since July 2001 (for complete BUTTERFLIES & BLUEBIRDS industrial developments, shopping malls, highways, and list, see separate checklist). This is close to half of the cropland; many old trees have been cut down for fi rewood. 160 butterfl y species that regularly occur in Florida and Wooden fence posts that provided nesting cavities have now been replaced with metal posts; the supply of natural represents a greater diversity than occurs at many larger nesting cavities for bluebirds and other native cavity parks, preserves, and refuges. A variety of habitats in and nesters has been greatly reduced. around the park support this concentrated biodiversity. Many of these butterfl ies can be seen along the 1.5 mile Compounding the problem of habitat loss has been the loop trail depicted in the map on the inside of this introduction into North America of the House Sparrow brochure. The trail goes through two of the major habitats: and the European Starling. Both starlings and sparrows are cavity nesters, and both are very aggressive. House grassy fi elds, and woodlands. During warm months, 30 Sparrows are small enough to enter any hole that a to 40 species - and hundreds of individuals - can often be bluebird can, and are so aggressive that they will chase seen in a day. away the more timid bluebird. Starlings can be excluded from bluebird boxes by using the correct size entrance Identifying Butterfl ies hole, but will out-compete bluebirds for woodpecker holes Butterfl ies commonly seen along the trail can be identifi ed and other natural nesting cavities. using the photos on the inside of this brochure. A symbol During the summer, bluebirds feed mainly on insects and by each one indicates its usual habitat (F = fi elds and in the winter they depend on many kinds of wild berries. W = woodlands). While some butterfl y species fl y most of the year, others fl y for only a few months during a specifi c Even though the bluebird population has greatly decreased, the future can still be promising for them. season. For more extensive information, refer to fi eld The most important step we can take to help bring back guides listed on the back of brochure. Binoculars help the bluebird is to provide nesting sites by setting out a greatly in identifying butterfl ies, as many are small or have bluebird box or starting a bluebird trail. This bluebird trail small distinctive features. Having close-focusing binoculars is a series of 30 bluebird boxes, installed by Bryan Horsey is more important than having high magnifi cation. as an Eagle Scout project, placed along the route shown Binoculars that focus to less than 10 feet are best (some on the map. In areas focus as close as 3 feet). where nesting boxes have been put up Two Uncommon Butterfl ies in suitable habitat, Several rare species have been found in the park, but bluebird populations two occur here regularly. The Hoary Edge, although more are increasing. common farther north, is rare in Florida. It is usually found Bluebirding is a great in the meadow south of Gate A or sunny spots along the environmental, hands- roads. The Golden Banded-Skipper is “one of the rarest and on project that people most elusive butterfl ies in the East” (Glassberg, 1999). Yet of all ages can enjoy. it is often seen in the forest between markers 26 and 28, Follow the trail and sometimes in large numbers (>10 per day). Caterpillars see how many of these beautiful birds have been found on their respective host plants, you can see. confi rming that both species breed in the park (for help with caterpillar identifi cation, see references on back). Finding Butterfl ies In The Park Butterfl ies & Bluebirds Info Butterfl ies are most active from mid-morning to mid- Field Guides afternoon on warm sunny days. Few fl y in early morning Butterfl ies Through Binoculars: Florida. or on cool cloudy days. They often bask in the sun on Glassberg, Minno, and Calhoun, 2000. leaves, tree trunks, or bare ground to warm up. Once warm, Butterfl ies Through Binoculars: The East butterfl ies spend much of their time feeding. Nectar is Glassberg, 1999. the main food of most butterfl ies, so a good way to fi nd Butterfl ies of North America. them is to look for concentrations of wildfl owers. The Brock and Kaufman, 2003. most commonly-used nectar plants found along the trail East Gulf Coastal Plain Wildfl owers are listed below. Some butterfl ies also feed on tree sap, Nelson, 2005. or obtain salts and minerals from damp ground and fresh Florida Butterfl y Caterpillars and Their Host Plants animal scat. Minno, Butler, and Hall, 2005. Florida Wild Flowers and Roadside Plants Some Favorite Nectar Sources Bell and Taylor, 1982. Verbena (Verbena brasiliensis) Florida Wildfl owers in Their Natural Communities Elephant’s Foot (Elephantopus sp.) Taylor, 1998. Tread Softly (Cnidoscolus stimulosus) Blue Mistfl ower (Conoclinium coelestinum) Other Resources Butterfl y Pea (Centrosema virginianum) Butterfl ies of the East Coast, An Observer’s Guide Goldenrod (Solidago sp.) Cech & Tudor, 2005 Bear’s Foot (Polymnia uvedalia) Spanish Needles (Bidens alba) North American Butterfl y Association (NABA) website: www.naba.org For help with wildfl ower identifi cation, refer to the field For information on local NABA chapter activities, contact: guides listed on the back panel. [email protected] Beyond The Butterfl y Trail North American Bluebird Society (NABS) web site: Butterfl ies occur throughout the park, from Miller Landing www.nabluebirdsociety.org Road to the southern boundary, and from the soccer fi elds to Lake Jackson. Some species have been seen only in these COLLECTING BUTTERFLIES IN THE PARK IS PROHIBITED BY CITY ORDINANCE. outlying areas. So, explore other sections and create your own personal “butterfl y trails.” Funds for this brochure provided by a donation from the Red Hills Horse Trials Common Butterfl ies of Elinor Klapp-Phipps Park Size Measurement = Average Wing Span (Cech & Tudor 2005) F W FW All butterfl y photos in this brochure are copyrighted by Dean K. Jue. Habitat Key: = Field = Woodland = Field or Woodland Pipevine Swallowtail – 3.6” F Black Swallowtail – 3.2” F Eastern Tiger Swallowtail – 4.8” FW Spicebush Swallowtail – 4.1” W Cloudless Sulphur – 2.5” FW February – September February – September March – September February – September January – December Little Yellow – 1.3” FW Sleepy Orange – 1.65” FW Red-banded Hairstreak – 1.0” W Gulf Fritillary – 2.8” F Zebra Heliconian – 3.1” W January – February January – December February – October February – November June – December May – December Variegated Fritillary – 2.1” F American Lady – 2.0” F Common Buckeye – 2.0” F Red-spotted Admiral – 3.2” W Carolina Satyr – 1.3” W April – November January – November January – December March – October February – November Silver-spotted Skipper – 1.9” FW Long-tailed Skipper – 1.8” FW Golden Banded-Skipper – 1.75” W Hoary Edge – 1.65” FW Southern Cloudywing – 1.45” F February – September May – November April – September March – September April – September Butterfl y & Bluebird Trails M il ler La nd ing R o ad Gate A Northern Cloudywing – 1.5” F Horace’s Duskywing – 1.45” F March – August February – October Gate B Field N Lake Jackson Zarucco Duskywing – 1.5” F Tropical Checkered-Skipper – 1.2” FW March – October February – November M il ler La FOREST MEADOWS nd ing R ATHLETIC CENTER d. ELINOR KLAPP-PHIPPS M PARK e r i d i a n R o a il d Tra MERIDIAN g in YOUTH ik H SPORTS s w COMPLEX llo o F Clouded Skipper – 1.25” W Fiery Skipper – 1.2” F March – November April – November Butterfly Trail Blue Bird Trail Other Hiking Trails Multiuse Roads Lake Victoria Paved Roads (PRIVATE) 1-35 Road Markers Park Boundary For complete butterfl y list, see separate park checklist. Whirlabout – 1.1” F Ocola Skipper – 1.3” FW For more detailed Parks and Trail information. please visit http://www.talgov.com/parks April – November July – November COLLECTING BUTTERFLIES IN THE PARK IS PROHIBITED BY CITY ORDINANCE..