Our First Post: A Butterfly Midst Dry Hay.

posted by Conrad.

The Indian Skipper is a rare butterfly found in dry meadows where the native grass Little Bluestem abounds.

Back in April, we visited some dry meadows managed by Chaseholm Farm and located on thin, dry soil overlooking Ancramdale. Our goal was finding rare butterflies we had last seen there about ten years ago. With a hearty, if hot, crew we ventured out, and it was not long before we found one of our focal species, the Indian Skipper. These little, often skittish, butterflies are very patchy in our region and so far this is the only set of fields where we have found it in Columbia County. Later this year, we hope to visit the site with Sarah Chase to better understand how she has been managing this land.