Butterfly Sighting Lists
These sightings are submitted by butterfly enthusiasts across Wisconsin.
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Sightings for April 2008
Carla Strating
Location: City of Delavan
Walworth County
I was out working in the yard this afternoon and saw a shadow flittering by and looked up and there was a mourning cloak stopping to say hello.
- Mourning Cloak (1)
marcie o’connor
Location: our farm
Buffalo County
It was so nice to see butterflies - the first ones I’ve seen this year. This is the time of year we see lots of Infants - that little day flying orange and brown moth. They flutter around like butterflies, but it’s nice to see some real butterflies too. 
- Eastern Comma (2)
- Mourning Cloak (2)
Wayne Anderson
Location: Dewey Marsh Shooting Range
Portage County
- Question Mark (1)
- Compton Tortoiseshell (1)
- Mourning Cloak (1)
Jorgen Goderstad
Location: 201 W Beltline Hwy, Madison
Dane County
This is probably the same mourning cloak that I reported seeing last week. It was in the same location.
- Mourning Cloak (1)
Craig Ellefson
Location: Cook Arboretum in Janesville
Rock County
- Eastern Comma (1)
- Mourning Cloak (1)
Mike Reese
Location: West Lane Rd., west of Sandhill Wildlife Area
Wood County
There is still a lot of snow in the woods, including near the butterflies. 
- Mourning Cloak (14)
marcie o’connor
Location: our farm
Buffalo County
- Eastern Comma (2)
- Compton Tortoiseshell (2)
- Mourning Cloak (2)
Ron Arnold
Location: logging roads in woods in town of Seneca
Wood County
Finally, after 3 weekends of hiking in the woods.
Ryan Brady
Location: Chequamegon National Forest southeast of Grand View
Bayfield County
My first butterflies of the year, despite 12–20 inches of snow left. All the butterflies were on a bare dirt road.
Mike Reese
Location: west of Wautoma
Waushara County
I stopped at my favorite spot to look for the first Pasque Flowers of the year. There weren’t many but there were a few open at the very top of the hill. 
- Mourning Cloak (1)
Randy Krause
Location: Poynette
Columbia County
Shown here basking on mulch, it was also seen nectering on spring bulbs.
- Painted Lady (1)
David Reese, Mike Reese
Location: Wautoma
Waushara County
Hilltopping just outside of town. 
- Painted Lady (3)
Ann Thering
Location: Strickers Pond
Dane County
I also saw a fast-moving white/sulfur and another unknown butterfly…didn’t get a good look.
Not much to nectar on yet…come on Dandelions!
- Painted Lady (2)
Mike Reese, David Reese
Location: near Sandhill Wildlife Area
Wood County
Stopped at historical marker on Hwy 54 and saw the Painted Lady.
- Mourning Cloak (2)
- Painted Lady (1)
Ann Thering and Dave Eide
Location: Spring Green Preserve
Sauk County
Found Splendid and Festive Tiger Beetles at Spring Green.
- Olympia Marble (4)
- Mourning Cloak (2)
Mike Reese, David Reese
Location: Wazee area
Jackson County
Festive and Oblique-lined tiger beetles but no new butterflies. We did see a mating pair of Common Green Darners.
- Mourning Cloak (5)
Ann Thering and Dave Eide
Location: Tower Hill State Park
Iowa County
- Gray Comma (1)
- Mourning Cloak (2)
Wayne Anderson
Location: Dewey Shooting Range, Portage County
Portage County
- Compton Tortoiseshell (3)
- Mourning Cloak (3)
- Painted Lady (2)
Dory Owen
Location: Windsor, WI
Dane County
Flying up and over and around my house…causing me to run from one side to the other and back again trying to keep it in sight.
Marcie O’Connor
Location: our farm - central Buffalo County
Buffalo County
Many Mourning Cloaks - I didn’t count them. 
Glenda Denniston
Location: Gully, Lakeshore Nature Preserve, Madison
Dane County
- Painted Lady (1)
Jorgen Goderstad
Location: Olbrich Gardens, Madison
Dane County
- Cabbage White (1)
- Painted Lady (1)
Tod Highsmith
Location: Dorothy Carnes County Park, Fort Atkinson
Jefferson County
Also lots of Green Darner dragonflies
- Mourning Cloak (2)
Mike Reese, David Reese
Location: Wautoma and north of Mount Morris
Waushara County
I also found only my second site for Cicindela purpurea, the Cow Path Tiger Beetle. 
- Cabbage White (1)
- Eastern Comma (1)
- Mourning Cloak (3)
- Painted Lady (2)
Karl and Dorothy Legler
Location: Blue River Unit of Lower Wisconsin Riverway
Grant County
The 3 Ladies were within 20 feet of each other nectaring on Dutchman’s Breeches. For anyone that does not know what a Green Darner looks like I’ve included a photo taken today. Very little Rock Cress for the Olympia Marbles.
- Cabbage White (3)
- Olympia Marble (2)
- ‘Spring’ Spring Azure (2)
- Mourning Cloak (1)
- American Lady (1)
- Painted Lady (2)
Jorgen Goderstad
Location: spotted in Beaver Dam
Dodge County
I have also been seeing dragonflies at Lake Farm Park near Madison.
- Mourning Cloak (1)
Ryan Brady
Location: Chequamegon National Forest southeast of Grand View
Bayfield County
Not many spring-like days this year so today brought out many woodland butterflies to the dirt forest roads…
- Eastern Comma (1)
- Compton Tortoiseshell (8)
- Mourning Cloak (35)
Mike Reese
Location: Wautoma and Wild Rose area
Waushara County
Not a bad day for temps <50 degrees.
Ron Arnold
Location: spruce/tamarack bog in the town of Cranmoor
Wood County
Temperature was only in the upper 40’s today, but it was sunny. The Brown Elfins spent most of their time basking, except for two which had trouble sharing a sunny spot.
- Brown Elfin (7)
Mike Reese
Location: Wautoma and Wild Rose area
Waushara County