by Paul McKenzie
Paul MacKenzie is a butterfly, graminoid and bird expert. He often birds at CANS and Wild Haven, submitting robust eBird checklists. He had a happy find this past late summer at CANS:
One of the most noteworthy observations this season was the presence of 8 Gemmed Satyr butterflies. I have observed this species here before but never this many. It’s truly amazing how the distribution of this species has changed in the last 10-15 years in MO. Historically, the species was mostly found in southern Missouri but has since moved north in a line at least from St. Louis west to Columbia and then west to Kansas City. I have now observed this species at least 6 locations scattered across the Columbia, MO area. The species has two broods- one in April and a second the end of Aug. beginning of Sep. Both broods have been observed at CANS.