Had the unmitigated pleasure of visiting the Artillary Impact Area of
Fort Lewis today on a survey for two very rare and declining butterflies,
the Whulge Checkerspot and the Mardon Skipper. The prairie here is unlike
anything I have seen elsewhere and every minute was a pleasure. Lots of
bare soil areas between fescue clumps, lupine, balsam root, and all of the
other prairie wildflowers. Oregon Vesper Sparrows serenaded virtually the
entire time and a Western Kingbird hawked insects from a snag in a narrow
strip of mostly burnt trees. I saw my first Whulge Checkerspots and my
first Gray Hairstreak, both very striking. Bobwhites called as we were
leaving. Turkey Vultures, Chipping Sparrows, Savannah Sparrows, and Western
Bluebirds were around as well. I had to try to concentrate on the butterflies
and resist looking at birds. Would love to go back but, unfortunately,
access is severely restricted and we were lucky to have two hours to be there.

Kelly McAllister
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
Olympia, Washington
Reply to: mcallkrm at dfw.wa.gov