Puddling

A Foulkeways resident was given a gift of a "puddler", which is supposed to attract butterflies.  But she has not seen a butterfly come to it yet.

This image of a puddling spot came from the internet.

I have seen tiger swallowtails puddling, but not here at Foulkeways.  Male butterflies need minerals  found in puddles, stream bamks and other damp surfaces.  If urine is present in the water, it will make the puddle especially attractive.  Males pass the minerals along with the sperm to the female when they mate.  It is felt that the females need these minerals in the production of eggs.

But on a rainy day like today, the butterflies are hiding from the rain, and not even the birds are interested in a bird bath.