There is a power line right-of-way (ROW) that cuts through Mass Audubon’s Moose Hill Wildlife Sanctuary and The Trustees Moose Hill Farm properties. A hike along the ROW is a wonderful exploration; there are a number of habitats and a variety of animals and insects to discover.
Recently Vin, one of our property staff and a nature enthusiast, headed out to look for insects along the ROW. He had a great day and provided us all with an update of what he found.
Dragonflies (Odonates):
- Ebony Jewelwing
- Eastern Red Damsel (probably new for Moose Hill)
- Eastern Forktail
- Fragile Forktail
- Sphagnum Sprite
- Harlequin Darner
- Common Green Darner
- Delta-spotted Spiketail
- Common Baskettail
- Blue Dasher
- Eastern Pondhawk
- Spangled Skimmer
- Chalk-fronted Corporal
- Common Whitetail
- Twelve-spotted Skimmer
- Widow Skimmer
- Painted Skimmer
- Meadowhawk sp.
- Dot-tailed Whiteface
Butterflies (Lepidoptera):
- Spicebush Swallowtail
- Great Spangled Fritillary
- Pearl Crescent
- Southern Cloudywing – a lifer for Vin, found at Trustees Moose Hill Farm, which abuts Moose Hill Wildlife Sanctuary
- Northern Cloudywing – at Trustees Moose Hill Farm
- Peck’s Skipper
- Dusted Skipper – a lifer for Vin and probably new for Moose Hill
So next time you want a little more adventure on your walk, take your binoculars, grab a camera, and discover the wonderful world of Dragonflies, Damselflies, Butterflies, and Moths!