Butterfly sightings for April 2010

Apr 1 2010

Ryan Brady

Location: My house off Wanabo Road west of Washburn
Bayfield County

With a baby in the house I don't get out much these days but this was my first Mourning Cloak of the year. Surely they've been out up here for a week or more.

Apr 1 2010

Peter Fissel

Location: Lake Farm Co. Park
Dane County

Apr 1 2010

Ron Arnold

Location: wooded area along Brown Street in Wisconsin Rapids
Wood County

Apr 1 2010

Susan Stowers

Location: Bangor Township
La Crosse County

82 degrees today. windy, and dry

Apr 1 2010

Mike Reese

Location: Suicide Hill area, north of Wautoma
Waushara County

My first Mourning Cloaks of the year.

Apr 1 2010

Ann Thering and Dave Eide

Location: near Wisconsin River
Iowa County

'Spring' Spring Azure

'Spring' Spring Azure

Apr 1 2010

Mike Reese

Location: North of Mount Morris
Waushara County

I saw my first tiger beetle yesterday for my first one ever in March (Bronzed Tiger Beetle - C. repanda) and today I also saw a Cow Path Tiger Beetle (C. purpurea).

Mourning Cloak

Mourning Cloak

Apr 2 2010

Mike Reese

Location: Tie Mill Rd.
Florence County

11-3:00. Clouds early but clearing with mostly sunny skies and temps near 70 degrees. Lots of Infant Moths, which were very distracting, and fewer of the unidentified moth, which was slightly smaller and flying with the Infant Moths. Thanks to Les Ferge for identifying this moth as Leucobrephos brephoides (Walker, 1857)Although azures were found yesterday in Iowa County, I was shocked that they were flying in Florence County.

'Spring' Spring Azure

'Spring' Spring Azure

Satyr Comma

Satyr Comma

Infant Moth

Infant Moth

Scarce Infant

Scarce Infant

Apr 4 2010

Mike Reese

Location: Brockway Rd.
Jackson County

Sunny for about an hour and then it went away and so did the butterflies. It was a terrific Easter day with pasque flowers, trailing arbutus, and elfins. I topped it off by stopping at Necedah and seeing four Whooping Cranes from the observation tower.

Festive Tiger Beetle

Festive Tiger Beetle

Trailing Arbutus

Trailing Arbutus

Brown Elfin

Brown Elfin

Apr 5 2010

Mike Reese

Location: Grandma Lake Rd.
Florence County

My first ever Green Commas!

Green Comma

Green Comma

Green Comma

Green Comma

Green Comma

Green Comma

★ = New county photo record
☆ = New county sighting record

Apr 5 2010

Ann Thering

Location: Olbrich
Dane County

As I was taking down my butterfly photography exhibit, I was happy to spot a live butterfly flitting about the blooms.

Apr 5 2010

Ann Thering

Location: Spring Green
Sauk County

Apr 5 2010

Sylvia Edlebeck

Location: Fitchburg
Dane County

Glad to see three cabbage whites today -- my first butterflies of the season.

Cabbage White

Cabbage White

Apr 5 2010

Ryan Brady

Location: Chequamegon National Forest northwest of the town of Clam Lake
Bayfield County

Also my lifer Green Commas! Both the Satyrs and Greens were occupying the same stretch of road - contact me at ryanbrady10@hotmail.com for exact location if interested. Was very surprised to not find a single tortoiseshell.

Green Comma

Green Comma

Satyr Comma

Satyr Comma

Green Comma

Green Comma

Satyr Comma

Satyr Comma

Green Comma

Green Comma

Satyr Comma

Satyr Comma

Green Comma

Green Comma

Green Comma

Green Comma

★ = New county photo record
☆ = New county sighting record

Apr 5 2010

Ryan Brady

Location: Chequamegon National Forest north of the town of Clam Lake
Ashland County

Clouds moved in and cut flight short but had a couple more Green Commas on the forest roads here as well. Also an early Spring Azure.

Green Comma

Green Comma

Green Comma

Green Comma

Green Comma

Green Comma

Green Comma

Green Comma

★ = New county photo record
☆ = New county sighting record

Apr 10 2010

Wayne Anderson

Location: Dewey Shooting Range
Portage County

Apr 10 2010

Mike Reese

Location: Necedah NWR
Juneau County

☆ = New county sighting record

Apr 10 2010

Ron Arnold

Location: spruce/tamarack bog in the town of Cranmoor
Wood County

Until today, my earliest Brown Elfin sighting was April 27. Spring seems to be coming on fast. The ice photo was taken at this location just 13 days ago, and the frog eggs were photographed 6 days later.

Brown Elfin

Brown Elfin

Ice

Ice

frog eggs

frog eggs

Apr 10 2010

Ryan Brady

Location: Tri-county corridor between Hwy 2 and Torkko Rd west of Ashland
Bayfield County

Still haven't seen an Eastern Comma this year. Had my first tiger beetle of the year, a Six-spotted (C. sexguttata).

Apr 10 2010

Olivia Paruk

Location: Maxwell property
Ashland County

☆ = New county sighting record

Apr 11 2010

Dean C. Hansen

Location: Haus Rd east of Airfield Rd, Swiss Twp, Sec 4
Burnett County

Saw first few blooms on Chamaedaphne (leather-leaf) in bog to south of road.

Apr 11 2010

Phil Peterson

Location: Pope Lake State Natural Area
Waupaca County

Apr 11 2010

Jeff

Location: Kettle Moraine Lake, Dundee
Fond du Lac County

Apr 11 2010

Ryan Brady, Mike Reese

Location: Chequamegon National Forest northwest of the town of Clam Lake
Bayfield County

Same site from Ryan's April 5 sighting list. I am calling this place "Satyr Comma City."

Green Comma

Green Comma

Green Comma

Green Comma

Satyr Comma

Satyr Comma

Satyr Comma

Satyr Comma

Apr 11 2010

Daniel Jackson

Location: Jackson Home, 1/2 mile south of Chaseburg on CTH K
Vernon County

'Spring' Spring Azure

'Spring' Spring Azure

★ = New county photo record
☆ = New county sighting record

Apr 11 2010

Ann Thering and Dave Eide

Location: Baraboo area
Sauk County

Apr 11 2010

Dean C. Hansen

Location: Springbrook Trail, Swiss Twp., Sec 3
Burnett County

Apr 11 2010

Dean C. Hansen

Location: Namekagon Trail, Blaine Twp, Sec 27
Burnett County

On damp gravel of road

Apr 11 2010

Ron Arnold

Location: Sandhill Wildlife Area
Wood County

Olympia Marble

Olympia Marble

Apr 11 2010

jeff gruber

Location: Spring Green Preserve SNA
Sauk County

Found flying around sandy prairie/oak savanna habitat. This one surprisingly let me get really close up.

Olympia Marble

Olympia Marble

Apr 12 2010

Wayne Anderson

Location: River Trail / Lac du Flambeau
Iron County

1 Cicindela limbalis (common Claybank Tiger beetle)

Apr 13 2010

Susan Stowers

Location: Bangor Township
La Crosse County

windy day, mostly sunny

Apr 14 2010

Ron Arnold

Location: Wisconsin Rapids
Wood County

I saw this in the parking lot at work this afternoon.

Apr 14 2010

Kyle Johnson

Location: White Birch Lane Bog, NNW of Catawba
Price County

Single fresh male Freija Fritillary; still no Brown Elfins. Another new site for Freija, pushing the documented range slightly to the west...not a bad day!

Apr 14 2010

Ann Thering

Location: My yard
Dane County

A Green Darner also zoomed by.

Apr 14 2010

Kyle Johnson

Location: Riley Lake Bog
Price County

Earth-shattering early record for Freija Fritillary. Single fresh male found in 2.5 hour hike through bog under mostly sunny skies. No Brown Elfins out yet, even in their favorite haunts.

Apr 14 2010

Kyle Johnson

Location: Bog on USFS 508, about 2-3 miles S of Gates Lake RD
Price County

Two fresh males of Freija Fritillary; again, no Brown Elfins. New site for Freija Fritillary.

Freija Fritillary

Freija Fritillary

Apr 14 2010

Daniel Jackson

Location: Hixon Forest, La Crosse
La Crosse County

'Spring' Spring Azure

'Spring' Spring Azure

Apr 14 2010

Nick Anich

Location: Snake Trail Rd
Bayfield County

Green Comma

Green Comma

Apr 15 2010

Stan Rehm

Location: Lacy Heights subdivision, Fitchburg
Dane County

The Mourning Cloak has been in our yard and woods since March 15, but the Admiral was a surprise visitor, inspecting some newly (trans)planted cabbages in the butterfly garden.

Apr 15 2010

Jeff Mroczek

Location: Kettle Moraine Lake, Dundee
Fond du Lac County

Apr 16 2010

Daniel Jackson

Location: Bike Trail, Onalaska, WI
La Crosse County

Bike trail below Marge's Lakeview along Hwy 35. Also saw 6 Variegated Meadowhawks and a few Common Green Darners

Apr 16 2010

Matthew Drollinger

Location: W Industrial Drive, Mequon
Ozaukee County

Apr 17 2010

Ron Arnold

Location: spruce/tamarack bog in the town of Cranmoor
Wood County

Very windy today. The elfins were active in the sheltered areas.

'Spring' Spring Azure

'Spring' Spring Azure

Brown Elfin

Brown Elfin

Apr 17 2010

Olivia Paruk

Location: Long Lake
Ashland County

Emily, my 7 year old sister caught the Eastern Pine Elfin.

☆ = New county sighting record

Apr 17 2010

Ann Thering

Location: Several stops along the Wisconsin River.
Iowa County

Apr 17 2010

Mike Reese

Location: Brockway Rd. area
Jackson County

Beautiful, but windy day on the barrens.

'Spring' Spring Azure

'Spring' Spring Azure

Festive Tiger Beetle

Festive Tiger Beetle

Brown Elfin

Brown Elfin

Frosted Elfin

Frosted Elfin

Frosted Elfin

Frosted Elfin

Hoary Elfin

Hoary Elfin

★ = New county photo record

Apr 17 2010

Ryan Brady

Location: Moquah Barrens Natural Area
Bayfield County

A quick walk with my son produced my first elfins of the year, about two weeks earlier than last year. Also my first-of-year Boreal Long-lipped Tiger Beetle (C. longilabris) and some Variegated Meadowhawk dragonflies.

Hoary Elfin

Hoary Elfin

Boreal Long-lipped Tiger Beetle

Boreal Long-lipped Tiger Beetle

Variegated Meadowhawk

Variegated Meadowhawk

Apr 17 2010

Ron Arnold

Location: my property in the town of Seneca
Wood County

Apr 18 2010

Daniel Jackson

Location: Jackson Property, 1/2 mile South of Chaseburg on CTH K
Vernon County

I wasn't able to get a great photo of the Duskywing. The little guy wouldn't land in the sun where I had a good angle.

Dreamy Duskywing

Dreamy Duskywing

Dreamy Duskywing

Dreamy Duskywing

Dreamy Duskywing

Dreamy Duskywing

★ = New county photo record
☆ = New county sighting record

Apr 18 2010

Jeff Raflik

Location: Marsh Haven Nature Center, three miles East of Waupun, on Hwy 49.
Fond du Lac County

Butterfly was along a wood lot, and was last seen headed south toward the highway, only about 50 feet from the highway, which is the county line. He likely crossed over into Dodge County

Red Admiral

Red Admiral

Apr 18 2010

Ron Arnold

Location: my property and surrounding property in the town of Seneca
Wood County

Of the 8 species I've seen so far this year, 7 have set new early sightings dates for me in Wood County.

'Spring' Spring Azure

'Spring' Spring Azure

Juvenal's Duskywing

Juvenal's Duskywing

Apr 18 2010

Mike Reese

Location: Ada Lake Rd. nearest the campground and the road to campground
Forest County

Cool, but sunny. Most seen on the road sunning to get warm. I got a couple ID photos from below, but despite an amazing abundance of spring flowers in bloom I saw little nectaring.

West Virginia White

West Virginia White

Apr 18 2010

Judith Huf

Location: Kletzsch Park, Glendale
Milwaukee County

I was surprised to find such an early Red Admiral, especially since I haven't even seen so much as a Mourning Cloak here in Milwaukee County this year despite the warm weather we've been having. I took a poor photo of it with my cell phone.

Red Ad

Red Ad

★ = New county photo record

Apr 18 2010

Elizabeth Rogers

Location: Rosen Rd, off Fishel Rd. Nicolet National Forest, northern Forest County
Forest County

Satyr Comma

Satyr Comma

Green Comma

Green Comma

★ = New county photo record
☆ = New county sighting record

Apr 18 2010

Ryan Brady

Location: Chequamegon National Forest south of Beaver Lake
Ashland County

My first American Lady and C. Claybank Tiger Beetle (C. limbalis) of the year. Also 21 Green Darner dragonflies.

American Lady

American Lady

Common Claybank Tiger Beetle

Common Claybank Tiger Beetle

★ = New county photo record
☆ = New county sighting record

Apr 18 2010

Kyle Johnson

Location: Davis Lake Bog (SW of Fifield)
Price County

Outstanding Freija site nearing edge of known range...could've counted several hundred had I stayed longer. One fresh female. Leatherleaf in early full bloom, with not even one brown elfin! Other species found on adjacent uplands.

☆ = New county sighting record

Apr 18 2010

Kyle Johnson

Location: Riley Lake Bog
Price County

Finally a brown elfin in the peatland...well on a road through a peatland at least! Only 7 Freija due to searching a new pocket of "lower quality habitat" and also being late in the evening. One fresh female here too.

Apr 18 2010

Eric Howe

Location: Lulu Lake SNA
Walworth County

Casual observation while pulling garlic mustard, not all species reported.

Apr 19 2010

Elizabeth Rogers

Location: Brule Lake Historical Site, northern Forest Co., headwaters of the Brule River
Forest County

Both species on moist seepy mucky soil

'Spring' Spring Azure

'Spring' Spring Azure

West Virginia White

West Virginia White

Apr 19 2010

Jeff Mroczek

Location: Dundee
Fond du Lac County

Apr 20 2010

Kyle Johnson

Location: Bear Lake Road Bog (W of Butternut)
Ashland County

Brief stop. Mostly fresh males, but one female was observed trying to oviposit, though no eggs were laid.

Apr 20 2010

Kyle Johnson

Location: Moose River, NE part of county
Sawyer County

No Freija despite much effort in Sawyer County at the highest quality sites...but no problem finding it just to the east/north in Price & Ashland counties!

☆ = New county sighting record

Apr 20 2010

Ron Arnold

Location: wooded area along Brown Street in Wisconsin Rapids
Wood County

Apr 20 2010

Susan Stowers

Location: Lacrosse
La Crosse County

Juvenal's Duskywing

Juvenal's Duskywing

★ = New county photo record
☆ = New county sighting record

Apr 20 2010

Susan Mayer

Location: T35N R8W
Rusk County

'Spring' Spring Azure

'Spring' Spring Azure

Eastern Comma

Eastern Comma

Mourning Cloak

Mourning Cloak

★ = New county photo record
☆ = New county sighting record

Apr 20 2010

Judith Huf

Location: Havenwoods State Forest
Milwaukee County

Sunny and warm. 1:30-2:30 pm.

Apr 20 2010

Ann Thering

Location: Mirror Lake
Sauk County

Apr 20 2010

Tod Highsmith

Location: South Beltline, Madison
Dane County

As I was zipping along the beltline near Whitney Way, along came my first swallowtail of the year crossing six lanes of traffic.

Apr 20 2010

Esjay

Location: Crex Meadows
Burnett County

Wow First trip to the meadows this year and what a great day!

Persius Duskywing

Persius Duskywing

Persius Duskywing

Persius Duskywing

Henry's Elfin

Henry's Elfin

Hoary Elfin

Hoary Elfin

★ = New county photo record

Apr 21 2010

Elizabeth Rogers

Location: Kaine Lake off County Hwy A
Forest County

1 individual on coyote scat

Apr 21 2010

Chris Koceja

Location: Town of East Troy
Walworth County

Observed Red Admiral while it was resting on post of our upper deck, also its flight among plantings including Russian Olive, arbor vitae, yew.

Red Admiral

Red Admiral

Apr 22 2010

Marcie O'Connor

Location: wet area on our land - near Praag, WI
Buffalo County

Lots of Meadow Fritillaries this afternoon - they were fluttering fast over the tops of the grass. I couldn't get an exact count, but they seemed to be everywhere I looked. The Duskywings and Azures were on our gravel driveway.

Juvenal's and Dreamy Duskywings

Juvenal's and Dreamy Duskywings

'Spring' Spring Azure

'Spring' Spring Azure

Dreamy Duskywing

Dreamy Duskywing

Dreamy Duskywing

Dreamy Duskywing

★ = New county photo record
☆ = New county sighting record

Apr 22 2010

Jeff Raflik

Location: Marsh Haven Nature Center, Hwy 49, 3 miles East of Waupun
Fond du Lac County

In the wooded area of the Marsh Haven Nature Center. I missed the first two fly-bys, but got several great pictures the only time I saw him land. I am assuming only one butterfly, that I saw three times in about ten minutes.

Black Swallowtail

Black Swallowtail

★ = New county photo record

Apr 22 2010

Ann Thering

Location: Stops along Wisconsin River.
Iowa County

What a treat to see a Juniper on Earth Day! I also saw an Eastern Tiger Swallowtail fly across the road in Sauk County.

Juniper Hairstreak

Juniper Hairstreak

Apr 22 2010

Susan Stowers

Location: Bangor township
La Crosse County

I saw many more Juvenal duskywings today. they were out in the sun on a goat prairie, and along a wooded trail among some birds-foot violets and pussy toes.

Apr 23 2010

Marcie O'Connor

Location: our land near Praag
Buffalo County

The Red Admiral was looking very worn. The Compton Tortoiseshells were also very worn looking.

Red Admiral

Red Admiral

★ = New county photo record

Apr 23 2010

Olivia and Jim Paruk

Location: Moquah Barrens
Bayfield County

Long live Elfins!

Apr 23 2010

Ryan Brady

Location: Black Creek Bog State Natural Area
Ashland County

This is a great site but very tiring to traverse due to extremly soft and hummocky sphagnum. I've officially concluded that no butterfly is as difficult to photograph as the Freija Fritillary -- constantly on the wing, buried under the bog grasses, or nectaring upside down. I can't tell you the effort it took me just to get these shots. Also had my lifer Red-disked Alpines, which were equally uncooperative but a real joy to see.

Brown Elfin

Brown Elfin

Green Comma

Green Comma

Freija Fritillary

Freija Fritillary

Freija Fritillary

Freija Fritillary

Freija Fritillary

Freija Fritillary

Red-disked Alpine

Red-disked Alpine

★ = New county photo record

Apr 25 2010

Mary Anna Thornton

Location: Indian Lake, Land O' Lake Township, clearing in a heavily forested area
Vilas County

Apr 25 2010

Mike Reese

Location: Riley Lake Bog
Price County

60s, sunny, but very windy. I watched a 5K race yesterday, but I felt that I had just run one today after chasing after the Red-disked Alpines through the bog. 3 Freija Frits and 2 Red-disked Alpines sitting on Riley Lake Rd.

Red-disked Alpine

Red-disked Alpine

Dreamy Duskywing

Dreamy Duskywing

Freija Fritillary

Freija Fritillary

★ = New county photo record

Apr 26 2010

Ron Arnold

Location: wooded area along Brown Street in Wisconsin Rapids
Wood County

I finally got some photos of a Mustard White that actually include the butterfly, and not just the perch where it had been a moment before.

'Spring' Spring Azure

'Spring' Spring Azure

Mustard White

Mustard White

Mustard White

Mustard White

★ = New county photo record

Apr 26 2010

Kyle Johnson

Location: Bradley Bog (W of Bradley on US-8)
Lincoln County

☆ = New county sighting record

Apr 26 2010

Kyle Johnson

Location: 4 sites from Thunder Creek Headwaters area to Riley Lake Bog
Price County

RDA's puddling/basking on damp road; none actively flying in habitat. Freija around peak flight.

Apr 26 2010

Karl and Dorothy Legler

Location: Walking Iron and near Wisconsin River
Dane County

Harvester was worn. Also we saw a possible American Lady.

Apr 26 2010

Ann Thering

Location: Wisconsin River
Iowa County

Apr 26 2010

Daniel Jackson

Location: Along Bike Trail below Lakeview Restaurant (West of Hwy 35 on north edge of Onalaska and along Lake Onalaska)
La Crosse County

Also spotted Eastern Forktail Damselflies, Green Darner Dragonflies, Variegated Meadowhawk Dragonflies, and a Snowberry Clearwing.

White M Hairstreak

White M Hairstreak

White M Hairstreak

White M Hairstreak

Red Admiral

Red Admiral

Juvenal's Duskywing

Juvenal's Duskywing

Cabbage White

Cabbage White

★ = New county photo record
☆ = New county sighting record

Apr 26 2010

Ryan Brady

Location: Chequamegon National Forest northeast of Clam Lake
Ashland County

Either it's a great year for Green Commas or I just really learned how to identify them -- I can't seem to miss them this month on the forest roads surrounding the town of Clam Lake.

Green Comma

Green Comma

Apr 27 2010

Esjay Anderson

Location: Crex Meadows
Burnett County

Very Cold start to the day. Mid 30s so we did birding the first half. Then the butterflies began to move.

Western Tailed-Blue

Western Tailed-Blue

Apr 27 2010

Susan Mayer

Location: T35N R8W peat bog
Rusk County

Dreamy Duskywing

Dreamy Duskywing

Apr 27 2010

Ryan Brady

Location: Chequamegon National Forest near Long Lake west of Washburn
Bayfield County

Very brief walk with my son. My first duskywing and Obliqued-lined Tiger Beetle (C. tranquebarica) of the year.

Eastern Pine Elfin

Eastern Pine Elfin

Dreamy Duskywing

Dreamy Duskywing

Obliqued-lined Tiger Beetle

Obliqued-lined Tiger Beetle

Apr 27 2010

Jim Paruk and David Bratley

Location: Chequamegon Nicolet NF
Bayfield County

This is the spot R. Brady and M. Reese named infamously as Comma City, but after 4 hours of working the area intensely we did not see any Green Commas. Although bright and sunny the high was probably 51-52F which may have been a factor. But, it was a grand day nonetheless as we did observe two Comma species. Five male Green Darners were also spotted.

Apr 28 2010

Karl and Dorothy Legler

Location: Boscobel to Wyalusing, both sides of Wis. River
Grant County

One of E. Tiger Swallowtails was a black female.
A swarm of about 10 Green Darners feeding.

Apr 28 2010

Matthew Drollinger

Location: Mirror Lake State Park
Sauk County

Apr 28 2010

Esjay Anderson

Location: Crex Meadows
Burnett County

Hit Crex late, so I focused on new butterflies. Found the Mottled Duskywings on the east side.

Mottled Duskywing

Mottled Duskywing

Apr 28 2010

Eric North

Location: Moquah Barrens Wildlife Management Area
Bayfield County

This was the only individual of anything I saw flying. Wind was 10-20 mph from the North-Northeast, and it was chilly!

Apr 29 2010

Stan Rehm

Location: Nevin Fish Hatchery, Fitchburg
Dane County

Despite high winds there were a number of butterflies on the wing at the DNR's fish hatchery this afternoon. The Mourning Cloak appeared old and tattered. The Red Admiral was fresh and lively. Three whites didn't get close enough to subtype.

Red Admiral

Red Admiral

Apr 29 2010

Ron Arnold

Location: my property in the town of Seneca
Wood County

My first Sulphur of the year.

Apr 30 2010

Jeff Mroczek

Location: Kettle Moraine Lake, Dundee
Fond du Lac County

☆ = New county sighting record

Apr 30 2010

Jeff Mroczek

Location: Kewauskum
Washington County