Observation date: April 17, 2012
Submitted by: t@ngle
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: Foraging primarily on orange puccoon (Lithospermum canescens) & prairie violets (Viola pedatifida) at The Nature Conservancy's Dunn Ranch Prairie, Harrison County, MO. Afternoon sighting (~1-2 p.m.). Temperature mid-60s, mostly sunny with high thin clouds, south winds ~15 mph with some gusts but skipper was foraging on a slope with a north northwesterly aspect, somewhat sheltered from the wind.
Site has past grazing history, including light to moderate grazing during summer, 2011. Fescue was dominant and rank until this year. Fescue was treated with Roundup in November after killing frost and subsequent warm period. Prescribed burn in cool conditions occurred in January or February with quite a bit of thatch remaining after the burn was completed.
Other spring prairie forbs on this 160 acres include yellow star grass, prairie blue-eyed grass, cream wild indigo, prairie alum root, and violet wood sorrel as well as Mead's & Bicknel's sedge. Downy blue gentian, Michigan lily, Culver's root, rattlesnake master, and other prairie forbs have been noted on this part of the ranch.
Status: Resident
Verified by: Phillip E. Koenig
Verified date: April 20, 2012
Coordinator notes: Thanks for the excellent observation notes.
