Nature of Delaware Blog

One day in mid-July, DelNature member Kate McDonald was checking on the pawpaw trees she’d bought at the 2021 Fall Native Plant Sale when she discovered tiny caterpillars and eggs on the leaves. A quick Google search confirmed what she suspected – they were from the zebra swallowtail (Eurytides marcellus), a native but uncommon butterfly…

This is an exciting time of year for nature-lovers, as monarch migration has started! The monarch (Danaus plexippus) is one of the world’s most iconic butterflies. First, its large size and orange and black wings make it instantly recognizable to adults and children alike. The only similar butterfly is the viceroy, which is smaller and…

This is an exciting time of year for nature-lovers, as monarch migration has started! The monarch (Danaus plexippus) is one of the world’s most iconic butterflies. First, its large size and orange and black wings make it instantly recognizable to adults and children alike. The only similar butterfly is the viceroy, which is smaller and…

By Joe Sebastiani, Director of Adult Engagement Raptor Photos by David Brown, Ashland Hawk Watcher The Ashland Hawk Watch is set to start up for the 17th fall in a row. September 1st is opening day of hawk watching season at Ashland Nature Center. Birders, raptor aficionados, and visitors to Ashland look forward to this…

By Joe Sebastiani, Director of Adult Engagement Welcome to National Moth Week 2023!  From July 22 to July 30, organizers of Moth Week encourage you to get outside, especially at night, and try to observe and photograph moths.  If you take any moth photos, upload them to iNaturalist, or any of the citizen science portals…

By Joe Sebastiani, Director of Adult Engagement In mid-July, a van full of Delaware Nature Society members spent the day walking and touring the gem of the New Jersey Pine Barrens…Franklin Parker Preserve. This Preserve is owned by the New Jersey Conservation Foundation, whose leadership raised the funds necessary to purchase the property in 2003.…