June 23, 2008: Emerald Valley,
led by Ken Pals

June 23, 2008—Aiken Audubon’s field trip to Emerald Valley provided a great opportunity to look at birds, blooms and butterflies. Twelve people participated in the hike led by Ken Pals. Twenty six bird species, over 40 blooming wildflowers, at least 12 butterfly species, a Western Terrestrial Garter Snake and Brook Trout were identified.

Bird highlights included: Red-naped Sapsucker, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Cordilleran Flycatcher, Least Flycatcher, Swainson’s Thrush and MacGillivray’s Warbler. Shooting Stars, Green Bog Orchid, Spotted Coralroot Orchid, Yellow Ladyslipper and Blue-eyed Grass were among the showy wildflowers observed.

Butterflies species identified included Hoary Comma, Western Pine Elfin, Field Crescent, Western Tiger Swallowtail, Chryxus Arctic, Common Ringlet, Weidemeyer’s Admiral, Mourning Cloak, Spring Azure and Orange Sulphur.

• Ken Pals, Trip Leader

Coralroot Orchid

Blue Columbine