Butterfly sightings for July 2013

Today's butterfly sightings were just incidental to our big excitement of the day, participating in banding Cooper's Hawk chicks.

This was the 23rd year for this count. Great Spangled Frit, Northern Crescent, Mourning Cloak, Eyed Brown, Acadian Hairstreak, and Monarch have been seen on all 23 counts. Common Ringlets were seen for only the second time on this count. 293 individuals and 26 species were seen including one unidentified spread-wing skipper. The count was a bit early for some late-emerging hairstreaks and skippers.

9:30 to 1:00 and a little windy. Stopped counting European Skippers at 337 because I felt like I was spending too much time identifying them and missing other stuff. Hard not to step on them.

This slightly asymmetric young lady was one of two eclosions today from eggs we found on June 1.

8:20-9:00 am, 68-71 degrees F, wind 0-5 mph

4:40-5:13 pm, 75-78 degrees F, 30% sunshine, no wind.

Looking for Regal Fritillaries and Gray Coppers but didn't find any yet. Had fun taking photos of the Long Dashes!

8:30 am--noon. Temp: 72-78 degrees F. Anecdotal evidence of "blue butterflies" from couple I found hiking along road, but they saw them last year. I saw no Northern blues. But great butterflying nonetheless.

The Buckeye showed up a day late.

15 great spangled fritillaries were in the area on a sunny morning with temperatures in the low 70s. One group of six spiraled and wheeled in the same area for more than five minutes before moving on.

Quick stop at 4pm. Confirmed Greenish blue presence.

Lunch walk, sunny, 80F. +1 comma.

Quick stop, 12:30 pm. 78 degrees F.
Water-filled ruts had butterflies congregating.
Didn't make count.

4:15 pm-5pm.

My first, and only, Lady of the season.

Best stop of the day. Should have stayed around here. The first day they were really attracted to the milkweed.

1 pm-1:45 pm. 78 degrees F.
Did not count, just made survey of present species to save time.
Saw skippers nectaring on low white morning glory.

Slow as molasses in January. Didn't stay real long,

Donned my knee boots and Ivy Block and attempted to check out some bogs. I made it to the bog between Mount Morris and Wautoma several times in the 1980's. Never been to Hortonville bog before. My dad took me to Shaky Lake about 1970 and my mom had a fit. We either went in a different route or it has changed a lot. Didn't get in very far today because of deep water and cattails. Same with Hortonville. Just too deep. I stopped to rest and found myself completely surrounded by Poison Sumac. Disappointing. I'll have to wait for a drought or winter.

75° Sunny. Only saw 3 species in first 3/4ths way thru my walk. Dozen or more species of dragonflies.

2pm-3pm. Didn't find Northern blue.
Did find lots of puddling European skippers, the only skipper I've seen puddling.

Atlantis Fritillary Found it near Lakeland Rd. off County hwy D in Oneida County, WI July 3, 2013 3pm

I spent about an hour hiking along on the deer trails in the bog. I found all three Bog Coppers in one small area where the 3 males waged spiral battles.

8:00 am--8:45am

It was overcast while I was counting today. The crescent had some issues with it's forewings and the Pecks only cooperated for one photo, I could have used a few more to choose from. I included a photo of my prairie to show the abundance of nectar sources that the butterflies have chosen not to use.

Hot on the meadows but the winds were the lightest I have ever experienced. It was like normal wind rather than meadows wind. Several yellow swallowtails would not let me get any shots. One was the largest I have ever seen. Likely a Eastern Tiger but no photo so not on list. Several sulphurs but again none would let me photograph so I dont know which species. Two blues in Karner spot wouldn't let me photograph so they also remain unknown.

high 70s, sunny, ~1PM

mid to high 70's, sunny, ~noon
LOTS of dragonflies. I saw the Common Pondhawk catch the skipper in mid air before settling down for a meal.

Guess what the primary nectar source was....

My first Hairstreak! So excited and he sat so well for me.

high 70s, sunny, ~12:30
A couple of the damselflies put on quite a dazzling show in the sunlight with their neon blue and green.

9:00am--10:15am

~8 pm, mostly cloudy, 70F. Didn't see anything along the road traversing this SNA until I came across a large patch of blue flag that had these 2 species apparently seeking out a place to spend the night.

Great day despite mostly cloudy skies. Caught a limit of Walleyes in the morning and had a nice walk along Marsh Road in the afternoon. 11:15 to 2:15.

11:30am-12:15 pm

Great site I hadn't checked out before but the mosquitoes drove me out. Baltimores were all on the road basking.

9:30 to 11:30. The ditches on Loop Rd. were mowed in the last couple of days. Lots of milkweed laying down and far fewer butterflies.

10am--12:30pm. Breezy in spots.

The White Admiral and the Northern Pearly Eye were attracted to our fish-cleaning area. The Canadian Tiger Swallowtail was just passing through.

Noticed movement on the road, which turned out to be a one-winged Great Spangled Fritillary which had apparently survived a predator attack (it was missing part of the abdomen and one leg, also.) It was flapping the remaining wing slowly, and attempted to evade me when I tried to pick it up.

8:28 am to 2:36 pm, 69-85 degrees F, 90% sunshine, wind 5-10 mph. We walked 7 miles in the grassland as well as driving around. Regal Fritillaries and Gray Coppers appear to have just started, since their numbers during main flight are much higher than this. Most Regals and all Gray Coppers were within 350 meters of Griffith Road or 130th Street.
The photo by Ann Swengel shows a male Regal on mammal feces with 6 Aphrodites (5 of the alcestis subspecies or form, one of the aphrodite subspecies or form) on Griffith Road west of 130th.

There were lots and lots of fritillaries. Some were clearly great spangled, some were clearly Aphrodite, but many went by so fast that I couldn't be sure. The numbers are a guess.

We have about 250 milkweed plants, most of which are in full bloom this week - and just one lonely Monarch to enjoy them. I think you people up north are hallucinating all those butterflies.

Also saw 3 unidentified fritillaries.

81° and partlly sunny. Quick trip to the marsh paid off with summer form of Mustard Whites.

He sat for quite a while on the edge of my birdbath, at the edge of a maple woods.

This is my backup location for Bog Coppers for Saturday's SWBA field trip.

I thought I would include a photo of the wild cranberries and Grass Pinks which are in full bloom now. I was looking for Bog Coppers here, but the Long Dash nectaring on the iris was a nice find.

Just a couple species seen around the boat ramp while searching for odes

On floating cranberry bog, north of Marsh Lake. Pitcher plant in bloom, as is cranberry.

Most sightings were on trails near the Kickapoo Valley Reserve visitor center

The butterfly was nectaring on Oxeye Daisies.

A quick survey for the conservancy before my daughter's back surgery. 8:00 to 9:00.

A very breezy and warm, dry day. The Black Swallowtail was fighting the wind to deposit eggs on water parsnip (or hemlock?). The result was a very poor photo. Two of the Gr. Spangled Frits were attracted to a discarded ear plug.

These were seen while doing yard work.

Warm and sunny. Walked about an hour through the meadow areas. Not as many butterflies as I had hoped. Monarchs are still real scarce. Large number of non-native plants probably account for the greater number of non-native butterflies. Also found a tiny toad hopping across the path.

90 degrees, sunny, 2-3P

A few of us stopped here after the SWBA field trip hoping to find Bog Coppers. We didn't have to leave the parking area to find them.

The day was sunny with temperatures in the upper 80s. There was a little more nectaring activity today, but most butterflies were seen in the vegetation. The wind was a bit of a problem for photography but the butterflies cooperated nicely. Five species of hairstreaks were seen. Several species of grass skippers still haven't emerged.

There were at least 20 additional unidentified fritillaries, many were probably great spangled but many were smaller.

Where have all the butterflies gone?

Went here to see if I could relocate the Smoky Eyed Brown and get video. No dice. The Cabbage White was not as bad on the other side. Just one spot showing. The chunky skipper I had identified as a European in the field, but now I'm not so sure. Maybe it's just the goofy angle.

Only spent time on the lower portion of the trail; did not go up the bluff

A brief but rewarding visit, with my first sighting of an Edward's Hairstreak.

11am-12noon. Clear and hot. 4-8 mph breezes.

Sightings all over the July 4th weekend, mainly in areas around the lake. N. Pearly Eyes were ubiquitous and in large numbers - even had some at the cabin light at night. White admirals, northern crescents and european skippers were also seen in large numbers.

Seen in back yard. Its wings were very tattered.

Most seen on the old logging roads, only one seen in the fen - a skipper nectaring on Platanthera dilatata that flew away before I got close enough to take a picture.

I used to come here a lot to see Upland Sandpipers but it's been a long time. Did not see or hear any today.

8:00 to 2:30. First two hours were disappointing. Much cooler, cloudier and windier than TV2's Rebecca Schuld promised. Oh, and it rained some. I checked several locations and saw very few butterflies, and the ones I saw, I had flushed, and they quickly vanished again. Then as I turned east on Griffith from F, it was like someone opened the flood gates. Fritillaries everywhere. The sun came out and all the butterflies came to the wet road. I really didn't have to do anymore bushwhacking. Walked 1.25 miles east and a half a mile south on 130th. I was surprised to find only four road kills despite the large numbers and how much they like the road. 1 GS, 1 Regal and 2 Aphros. I probably saw 30 Gray Coppers but only got close enough to three of them for positive ID. Great day. Two lifers. Thanks to the Swengels for the info from July 4.

81, sunny, ~noon

Very exciting day, with four new species for me: Baltimore Checkerspot, Little Glassywing, Appalachian Brown, and Coral Hairstreak.

The Hackberry sighting was in our yard in Ringle, WI and all the other sightings were along the Mountain Bay Trail.

89° Sunny. Was hoping to get a pict of a Tawny Emperor. Got picts of 4 of the 7 seen. Am. Snout was with the Emperors.

Cloudy until about noon and then sunny, warm, and humid in the afternoon. Lots of butterflies!

Many fine clumps of butterfly milkweed in full bloom, these attracting small numbers of hairstreaks. Swamp milkweed not yet in bloom, few sedge skippers seen along road through sedge meadow. Mainly went to look for Karners. Saw no adults, and saw no positive larval Karner feeding activity on lupine leaves. Slim pickings.

Another hot, dry day.

10am--1pm. Cloudy first, then partly cloudy with sun.
Echo D Nussbaum's recent thoughts.

Miles from water or alders

Rain in the morn, I hit the meadows at 12:30 with overcast skys and temps 74 and light wind. The clear sky line was 15 miles south of the meadows. A few bands of light rain/drizzle moved in during the first hour or so then skys cleared. During the misty/very light rains, butterflies were still active, enjoying the more reasonable temps. Lots of mineraling and activity until after 6pm. N. Refuge road dirt part was covered with N crescents nearly entire length. Estimate (lowball) 500+ for just that road. Reported number does not include N. Ref road. Monarchs emerging.

1:00-3:00. All Gray Coppers were males. I saw two seperate battles of 2-3 males spiralling into the air.

Beautiful late afternoon - so many Northern Crescents I lost count. Many types of skippers. I could have just sat along grasses on Main Dike Road and got many more, I am sure!

Mid-afternoon to late 6pm
Nice to see the Northern Pearly Eyes abound in the woods as others should be, but are not.

Only a handful of butterflies in one hour! No Swallowtails, Sulphurs, Hairstreaks, Blues or Skippers. including a search or Poweshiek Skipperling within its colony. Camera images would not download.

Monarchs may be making a comeback. Found 8 eggs in the garden today, as well as a half-dozen Black Swallowtail eggs. Photos of our latest BST release are posted in the butterfly section of TYWKIWDBI.

I walked parts of Dike Road, and some of the trails that start from the Horicon Marsh International Education Center, where my butterfly images will be exhibited through August 27. Lots of milkweeds.

Still have not seen any Question Marks or Commas and only 1 Tiger Swallowtail, and 1 Black Swallowtail. Seems that the number of different species is down this year on Marsh Road.

I was surprised to see no Whites, Yellows, or Monarchs during this a.m. visit. I saw a big robber fly snatch a moth out of mid-air. It was also neat to see a Gray Treefrog.

Bog locations: north of Moose Junction along 35, Milchesky Road 1.15 miles west of County A, Bear Lake and North Bear Lake on County A, Lyman Lake, and one other. 9:37 am to 1:13 PM, mostly sunny, 75-90 degrees F. Jutta Arctic found on 3 bogs for our latest date ever. Dorcas Copper found on all 6 bogs and all roadsides we surveyed fronting 4 of those.

Found as roadkill.

What a difference two days makes. Road puddles were dried up, temps started at around 74 but climbed into mid 80s resulting in rapid movements and not a lot of nectaring. Well except the hairstreaks who were plugged into the various milkweeds in bloom. Winds were not excessive for most of the day, but did get very gusty between 3 -5pm.

These 2 Great Spangeled Fritillaries were attracted to the Joe Pye Weed next to our house.

casual search during the day in the stream valleys and lowlands; much flood damage here

The hairstreaks were on a hickory tree

Shady Lane, North Loop Road, Hillcrest Road and Dale Road. 11:00 to 1:45. Most skippers were on Dale Road near the county line.

First sighting of any of our Sulphurs this year. Fresh albino. Normally this species appears in early May and has continuous broods till fall.This sighting is my latest ever( 70 years) for such a common butterfly !!!

2:25 to 3:57 pm, 76-83 degrees F, 90% sunshine, wind 0-6 mph. Brown Elfin sighting probably makes our latest date ever, and Jutta Arctic ties our latest date set today in Douglas County. We found 87 Bog Fritillaries on these three bogs July 6. This is late for Juvenal's Duskywing but we found 6-8 of them in inland Bayfield Co. today.

First visit to this gem of a county park on Rock Lake - stunning prairie restoration, with C. Wood Nymphs all over in the grasses and Cabbage Whites everywhere up on the wooded hill

Casual search during day (focus was on moths at night) but if someone really tried he or she could probably count a lot of Byssus Skippers...they have apparently colonized the prairie restoration which is EXTENSIVE. Most of the day was spent outside of their habitat.

Did a quick count while I was out birding early this morning. That is why the low #'s.

Much more accessible than the nearby Goose Lake SWA - can be very good for butterflies at times. Coral Hairstreak was on white clover.

7:40 to 9:50. Lots of butterflies but few species. Too early I guess. Found a crayfish out of its hole.

There was about a dozen other Great Spangled or Aphrodite Fritillaries there that never landed. Almost all the Regals were females laying eggs. I only saw one Regal nectaring.
11:30-2:00

Stunned not to see any skippers - not even a Least or Delaware

1st Monarch sighted this year

Depot Road, Cedar Road and Winchester Road. Those Mulberry Wings yesterday were very close to Outagamie County so I thought I would try to get them for that county, but no dice. Failed at securing an Aphrodite Fritillary photo also. 9:45 to 11:45. No True Brushfoots today.

No swampies.

Stopped on my way home to see if any female Gray Coppers were flying. After about an hour I finally saw one. I wasn't really trying to count, just looking for that photo that I have been trying to get for 4 years. Most of the males I saw were starting to get worn like this one, which isn't surprising if you watch them battling.

I didn't see any second generation Karner Blues at Sandhill so I stopped here to see if I might have better results. Nope. 7-7:30

Looked for Karners and got excited when I finally saw some blue, but it was just an Eastern Tailed-Blue

Enjoyable day, many butterflies. One common wood-nymph spent quite awhile alighting on my friend and me, first on my friend's backpack, then on the front of my shirt, then on the back of my shirt, then on my friend's arm. He seemed in no hurry to leave any of these places, except when we moved ; talk about up close and personal. In addition to the butterflies listed we saw 8-10 skippers but were not able to get a good enough look to identify them.

85° Cloudy > Sunny. 19 people came up for our 1st field trip to this SNA. Even though our search for butterflies and dragonflies was limited to a few acres(of the 480) in about 2 hours we found 17 species.

11:30 - 3PM, mid 80s, sunny.
There was an unidentifiable fritillary also.

Also 1 Modest Sphinx Moth and about 1,000+ Deer Flies!

SWBA field trip called "Pretty Things with Wings" turned up few butterflies, but the northern pearly-eye was a nice surprise.

11:45 - 1 pm, mostly sunny, 82F. Most sightings seen along the road, only a few in the barrens itself. N Cloudywing appeared to be ovipositing on Tephrosia.

A male Coral Hairstreak landed on the underside brim of my sweaty hat and tippled for at least 15 minutes or so as I ran around...even a full sprint didn't shake him. But he departed in a hurry once a robber fly landed on my nose!

4-5:30 pm, mostly sunny, 82F. Not much to see here, despite a lot of nectar sources (mainly leadplant, coreopsis, & butterflyweed). Observed some unknown caterpillars munching on Asclepias viridiflora.

Still, no Ottoes.

Brief survey of good quality wet meadow bordering tamarack/poison sumac rich swamp. Ran out of time to properly explore the latter but worth checking for Mitchell's Satyr as are a number of other spots in southeast WI...you never know!

One female Eyed Brown oviposited on "tussock sedge" or "upright sedge" (Carex stricta).

7:43 am to 2:10 pm, 72-90 degrees F, 90% sunshine, wind 0-10 mph. We walked 9 miles in the grasslands while surveying 14 plots with previous Gray Copper records. Found Gray Copper in nearly every plot, but fell short of highest daily count of 145 set in 2011.

This was the 17th annual N. Kettle Moraine NABA Count. 6 observers found 30 species which is average for the 7 hours of observation. We found 259 individuals which is only about 2/3 of average. Great Spangled Fritillary was a record high (36) but we missed a swallowtail for the first time and missed Delaware Skipper for only the 2nd time.

I also had a Mourning Cloak and Giant Swallowtail chrysalides on the side of the buildings.

85° Mostly Cloudy. Only had an hour on my way back from buying a new faucet. Got to meet Alex Harmon.

Later in the day, no Regals.

7:00 to 10:45. All the Harvesters were at Killsnake at the low spot near the end of Marsh Road. One rode on my finger for nearly five minutes and one rode on my shoe for about 30 yards. I thought the copper was a large American until I looked at the photos.

The Harvester sipping from my shoe is probably dead by now. Trust me.

Sighted just after 6 pm while looking for dragonflies in wet area just off the road, across from the Lake WI Canals in Harmony Grove (near my house). 3 photos of the same individual.

Mostly Sunny, High 80's: The Coral Hairstreak kept circling me, landing on my pant legs and my back. It finally settled down and went to my finger when offered. Great photo opportunity

And FOY Punctured Tiger Beetle.

Duns were all flitting around the river's edge.

10:15 to 12:15. Lots of heat, humidity, flies and mosquitos. First Orange Sulphur since October 29, 2012.