Butterfly sightings for October 2014

Oct 1 2014

Randy Powers

Location: Somers Township
Kenosha County

Private residence with remnant prairie. Sixty-four degrees, sunny with passing clouds. Gusty winds carry most flushed butterflies away. Hard to get a photo! Twenty-one sightings for six species. Note Sulphur ambushed by yellow & black Wheel Bug!

Cabbage White

Cabbage White

Clouded Sulphur

Clouded Sulphur

Monarch

Monarch

Orange Sulphur

Orange Sulphur

Oct 1 2014

Dan Sonnenberg

Location: Schoeneberg Marsh
Columbia County

67° Cloudy 12:30-2:30 PM. Went hoping to find my 1st Bronze Copper of the year. 1 PC by the end of board walk. The other along paved path past end of Harvey Road. Both male. Both on White Heather Asters.

Oct 2 2014

Sylvia Edlebeck

Location: Monona, outside Meriter Monona Clinic
Dane County

Overcast, around 70 degrees. I wasn't expecting to see butterflies. I went to the Clinic to get my flu shot. As I was leaving, I came upon 6 cabbage whites, most flying around the prairie plants between the clinic and the road. Several were nectaring on garden flowers still in bloom. A nice surprise.

Cabbage White

Cabbage White

Oct 2 2014

Ginny Nelson

Location: Indian Lake
Dane County

These were seen while collecting prairie seeds this morning.

Oct 2 2014

Mike Reese, Ken Tennessen

Location: Wautoma
Waushara County

This was only the second time that I have ever seen an adult Black Swallowtail from my yard.

Oct 3 2014

Judith Huf

Location: Bradford Beach, Lake Park
Milwaukee County

Cold, overcast, and very windy. I was surprised to see two Monarchs braving the terrible weather, heading south.

Oct 4 2014

Scott and Ann Swengel

Location: Jct. of Cty Hwy F and Hwy 13
Douglas County

Oct 5 2014

Stan Rehm

Location: Fitchburg residential butterfly garden
Dane County

This handsome fellow fluttered against our kitchen window on a cool 48 degree morning, apparently seeking a place to hibernate. He then basked for a while on a garden pot before heading into the woods.

Oct 5 2014

Ryan Brady

Location: My house just west of Washburn
Bayfield County

A bit surprised to see this guy with temps in the 40s...

Oct 6 2014

Rod Everson

Location: backyard, Town of North Bend
Jackson County

Mid-morning after a freeze, it flew from one spot in the grass to a nearby leaf in the grass and rested there for the picture. Seemed listless, but might have recovered as the day warmed.

Black Swallowtail

Black Swallowtail

Black Swallowtail

Black Swallowtail

★ = New county photo record

Oct 6 2014

Pam Campbell

Location: Menomonie
Dunn County

I saw one plucky Monarch fluttering just a few feet over traffic today. Headed south, of course. Only 55 degrees at the time.

Oct 6 2014

Alex Harmon

Location: Dodgeville
Iowa County

Oct 6 2014

Beth Stetenfeld

Location: Backyard in McFarland
Dane County

This tattered Mourning Cloak was sunning on a south-facing trellis at about 3 p.m. High temperatures in the upper 50s.

Mourning Cloak

Mourning Cloak

Oct 7 2014

Jim Otto

Location: Cross Plains State Park
Dane County

1-2pm. Conditions: mostly sunny, temp 62F, breezy. I also saw two angle-wing butterflies that I could not ID.

Clouded Sulphur

Clouded Sulphur

Silver-spotted Skipper

Silver-spotted Skipper

Monarch

Monarch

Oct 7 2014

Christine Doss

Location: City of Kenosha
Kenosha County

Sighted outside my window at work in southeast Kenosha, WI.

Monarch

Monarch

Oct 7 2014

Randy Powers

Location: Lake Church, lake front property
Ozaukee County

GREAT Monarch day, like Sept. 16th. By 10AM they were arriving off the lake, in small groups 2's, 3's & 5's. Exhausted from the flight like uncontrolled gliders, some crashed into the ground. Others landed on flowers hanging on for dear life, nectar maybe, but perhaps resting. Wings emitting small tremors, occasionally they would loose their grip on flowers, falling like rocks to the ground. What seemed like forever, was only seconds but eventually the fallen would arise again and regain a hold on another flower. 134 Monarch sightings over the six hour day, certainly many more in the area we were unable to see or count. Rejuvenated most moved on throughout the day. Admirals, Cloaks, Ladies & some Monarchs sought nutrition from rotting Crab Apples. Reaching 68 degrees, skies clearing by noon, Strong gusty winds all day.

Monarch

Monarch

Monarch

Monarch

Monarch

Monarch

Red Admiral

Red Admiral

Eastern Comma

Eastern Comma

Clouded Sulphur

Clouded Sulphur

Cabbage White

Cabbage White

Oct 8 2014

John Davis

Location: My backyard in Prairie du Chien
Crawford County

60's, sunny, and windy. Between 11am and noon, I count 20 to 25 Monarchs feeding on flowers in my garden. By 3pm there were 40+ feeding! It was amazing.

There were also 2 skippers, I think Sachems but they would not set still so I could identify them.

Eastern Comma

Eastern Comma

Eastern Comma

Eastern Comma

Oct 8 2014

Judith Huf

Location: Schlitz Audubon Nature Center
Milwaukee County

Sunny, wind from the northwest, about 50 degrees. Monarchs still migrating.

Monarch

Monarch

Oct 8 2014

Mike Reese

Location: Rotary Gardens, Janesville
Rock County

Sunny, windy, and in the 60s. I just found out that I have been calling the Great Spreadwing by the wrong common name (Giant Spreadwing) most of the time since I saw my first one in 2005.

Monarch

Monarch

Fiery Skipper

Fiery Skipper

Sachem

Sachem

Eastern Comma

Eastern Comma

Clouded Sulphur

Clouded Sulphur

Great Spreadwing

Great Spreadwing

Oct 8 2014

Alex Harmon

Location: Dodgeville Arboretum
Iowa County

A Cherry Dagger Moth caterpillar was an interesting find.

Eastern Comma

Eastern Comma

Cherry Dagger Moth

Cherry Dagger Moth

Oct 8 2014

Charley Roberts

Location: Vethe School Forest, Cottage Grove
Dane County

Not sure what this insect might be atop a dead mouse.

Sexton Beetle sp.

Sexton Beetle sp.

Oct 8 2014

Rose Tiegs

Location: Oneida Home
Outagamie County

On my Asters, I feel every butterfly lover should grow asters, They can take a frost and still feed butterflies .

Monarch

Monarch

Red Admiral

Red Admiral

Oct 8 2014

Jeff Raflik

Location: Lion's Den Gorge Nature Preserve - two miles south of Port Wahington
Ozaukee County

Unexpected numbers of butterflies for this time of year. A dozen close-by Monarchs visible at any given time along the trails, with plenty of Clouded Sulphurs, and Cabbage Whites mixed in, along the bluffs of Lake Michigan, two miles south of Port Washington, on the numerous New England Asters, and a few daisies. A friend and I covered a very small portion of this nature preserve for about an hour.

Clouded Sulphur

Clouded Sulphur

Monarch

Monarch

Oct 8 2014

Karl and Dorothy Legler

Location: Sauk City our yard.
Sauk County

Oct 8 2014

Mike Reese

Location: Avon Bottoms
Rock County

Few nectar sources available; so far fewer butterflies than I expected here.

Oct 9 2014

Randy Powers

Location: 3-Bridges Park, HAST Menomonee Valley
Milwaukee County

Sunny, nearly clear skies, gusty winds & 56 degrees.
Fifteen sightings for five Species. Does anyone know the name of this day moth? See photo -

Monarch

Monarch

Clouded Sulphur

Clouded Sulphur

Cabbage White

Cabbage White

Oct 9 2014

Jim Ebner

Location: My garden, Okauchee
Waukesha County

2:30-3 pm

Sunny 55 degrees.
Sachem =FOY (male fresh)

Sachem

Sachem

Oct 9 2014

Peter Sveiks

Location: Nashotah Park
Waukesha County

The caterpillar photo was taken on October 3 in Elm Grove Village Park and is a 5th instar Goldenrod Hooded Owlet (Cucullia asteroides).

Red Admiral

Red Admiral

Goldenrod Hooded Owlet caterpillar

Goldenrod Hooded Owlet caterpillar

Clouded Sulphur

Clouded Sulphur

Cabbage White

Cabbage White

Oct 9 2014

Pam Campbell

Location: Dunnville SWA
Dunn County

Temps in the low 50's and sunny. Not a lot flying today. The Pheasant added color and interest to the day.

Eastern Comma

Eastern Comma

Eastern Comma

Eastern Comma

Cabbage White

Cabbage White

Cabbage White

Cabbage White

Ring-necked Pheasant

Ring-necked Pheasant

Oct 9 2014

Jym Mooney

Location: Lake Park, Milwaukee
Milwaukee County

Painted Lady

Painted Lady

Oct 9 2014

Ilona Loser

Location: Cross Plains, WI - backyard
Dane County

1:50pm

Oct 9 2014

Alex Harmon

Location: Dodgeville
Iowa County

One sulphur was a male, one a female. Cattail Caterpillar Moth (Simyra insularis) caterpillars also found.

Cattail Caterpillar Moth caterpillar

Cattail Caterpillar Moth caterpillar

Orange Sulphur

Orange Sulphur

Oct 10 2014

Fern Springs

Location: Big Foot Beach State Park
Walworth County

Not many butterflies. Nice day for mushrooming - found a patch of blewits and some oysters.

Oct 11 2014

Rose Tiegs

Location: High Cliff State Park
Calumet County

Most of the Monarchs were on asters. Many were gliding gracefully high above .

Oct 11 2014

Ron Arnold

Location: my property in the town of Seneca
Wood County

Oct 11 2014

Jim Ebner

Location: my garden Okauchee
Waukesha County

Sachem probably same individual sighted two days ago.

Sachem

Sachem

Sachem

Sachem

Oct 12 2014

Jim Ebner

Location: my garden, Okauchee
Waukesha County

This Sachem remains a daily visitor to my marigolds for three days. Observed singleton Cabbage White and Clouded Sulfur near Sullivan in Jefferson County

Sachem

Sachem

Oct 12 2014

Scott and Ann Swengel

Location: Leola Wildlife Area, Archer Road
Adams County

It was barely warm enough for butterflies, and then the sun disappeared 7 minutes after we arrived and it became way too cold.

Oct 12 2014

Ron Arnold

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

Some of the Cabbage Whites were seen in the woods.

Oct 12 2014

Judith Huf

Location: Lake Park
Milwaukee County

Sunny and bright, about 10am-noon. Many asters and other flowers still in bloom and Monarchs still migrating.

Monarch

Monarch

Oct 12 2014

Beth Stetenfeld

Location: Warner Park
Dane County

I saw one Monarch as I approached the parking lot along the northeast edge of Lake Mendota. As I got closer, I realized there were multiple Monarchs, nectaring steadily on New England Asters. Most of them were female, but I did see some males. All were in great shape.

Monarch

Monarch

Monarchs

Monarchs

Oct 16 2014

Joan Rickert

Location: my yard rural Medford
Taylor County

Nice to see a butterfly again! Clear skies and temps in upper 50's with very light wind.

Oct 16 2014

Alon Coppens

Location: Town of Wheaton, private grassland
Chippewa County

Sunny, 68 degrees. This spot protected from the wind.

Monarch

Monarch

Oct 16 2014

Karl and Dorothy Legler

Location: Olbrich Botanical Gardens, Madison
Dane County

Fiery Skipper

Fiery Skipper

Monarch

Monarch

Oct 17 2014

Jim Otto & Peter Fissel

Location: Amsterdam Park
Sheboygan County

Monarchs are still moving south along the Lake Michigan shoreline.

Oct 17 2014

Judith Huf

Location: Schlitz Audubon Nature Center
Milwaukee County

Temperatures in the 50s. Brief morning of sunshine between rain yesterday and later in the afternoon. strong winds out of north.

Orange Sulphur

Orange Sulphur

Monarch

Monarch

Oct 17 2014

Jim Otto & Peter Fissel

Location: Harrington Beach State Park
Ozaukee County

Oct 18 2014

Alex Harmon

Location: Platteville
Grant County

The sulphur was cold, and cooperated wonderfully for pictures.

Clouded Sulphur

Clouded Sulphur

Clouded Sulphur

Clouded Sulphur

Oct 18 2014

Scott and Ann Swengel

Location: Buena Vista Grassland
Portage County

We walked 3 miles in the grassland. 48-53 degrees F, 97% sunshine. It was 48 degrees when we saw the only butterfly,

Oct 18 2014

Pam Campbell

Location: Hoffman Hills SRA
Dunn County

Clouded Sulphur

Clouded Sulphur

Oct 18 2014

Ron Arnold, Lydia Thurber

Location: my property in the town of Seneca
Wood County

I'm not sure who was more surprised, us or the bobcat. It was the first that Lydia or I have ever seen in the wild.

Bobcat

Bobcat

Oct 19 2014

Judith Huf

Location: Concordia College
Ozaukee County

Sunny, but cool, strong wind from west.

Oct 20 2014

Alex Harmon

Location: Dodgeville
Iowa County

Oct 20 2014

Judith Huf

Location: Schlitz Audubon Nature Center
Milwaukee County

Oct 20 2014

Jim Ebner

Location: Okauchee, Lake Drive
Waukesha County

11 AM. Sunny.

Oct 20 2014

Stan Rehm

Location: Fitchburg residential butterfly garden
Dane County

We were happy to see something other than the Cabbage Whites for a change.

Painted Lady

Painted Lady

Oct 20 2014

Randy Powers

Location: Newburg, WI: production farm
Washington County

10Am - Noon: 52 degrees: Cloudy with periods of sun, short lived, gusty winds! Nine Clouded Sulphurs including two albino ones. Looking forward to a better afternoon for butterfly sightings, I was disappointed that the sky clouded over again by the time I had finished lunch. However on a new site, we had an unusual opportunity to observe a Bald Eagle, that landed in clear view of where we were standing, perhaps only a hundred feet away! What a Kodak moment for S. E. Wisconsin.

Clouded Sulphur

Clouded Sulphur

Clouded Sulphur

Clouded Sulphur

Clouded Sulphur

Clouded Sulphur

Bald Eagle

Bald Eagle

Clouded Sulphur

Clouded Sulphur

Oct 21 2014

Randy Powers

Location: Lake Church: Lake front property
Ozaukee County

At 10Am it was 52 degrees, 100% cloud cover, cool damp air with gusty winds off the lake. After lunch about 2 Pm the sky finally cleared, within ten minutes the temperature rose to 58 degrees. That is when I saw my first butterfly of the day a Cabbage White, while trying to get a photo a Monarch flew in from off the lake. Sunny, still with gusty winds, there were seven sightings observed for five species of butterfly. The Red Admirals & Eastern Comma were observed visiting the rotten Crab Apple fruits. By 3:30 Pm there were no more butterflies to be seen.

Monarch

Monarch

Red Admiral

Red Admiral

Eastern Comma

Eastern Comma

Clouded Sulphur

Clouded Sulphur

Cabbage White

Cabbage White

Oct 22 2014

Joan Rickert

Location: my yard rural Medford
Taylor County

Another late butterfly in my yard!

Oct 22 2014

Randy Powers

Location: Somers Township: Private Residence
Kenosha County

12:30 - 2:30 Pm, 55 degrees, sunny with a few clouds, gusty winds! Three sightings for two species.

Clouded Sulphur

Clouded Sulphur

Clouded Sulphur

Clouded Sulphur

Oct 23 2014

Randy Powers

Location: Mequon: Private Residence
Ozaukee County

54 Degrees, sunny skies with scattered clouds, gusty winds. At 11:30 Am a Monarch came over the tree line from the lake into the yard where we were working and landed in the Hawthorn. We watched it check out several of the rotting fruits, then it dropped to the ground, where I got my photo. Resting for a few minutes, it then took to the air once again, gaining altitude to the treetops and disappeared out of sight flying South.

Lance-tipped Darner

Lance-tipped Darner

Monarch

Monarch

Oct 25 2014

Mike Reese

Location: Westfield
Marquette County

Mostly in the cemetery nectaring on dandelions.

Oct 25 2014

Scott and Ann Swengel

Location: Leola Grassland
Adams County

Leola Oct 25 62-64 degrees F, sunny. We walked 2.5 miles in three widely separated areas of the site.

Oct 25 2014

Karl and Dorothy Legler

Location: Rotary Botanical Gardens in Janesville, and Avon Bottoms
Rock County

Only a single butterfly at Avon Bottoms. Hardly any nectar sources. Also saw one Shadow Darner (dragonfly).

Clouded Sulphur

Clouded Sulphur

Shadow Darner

Shadow Darner

Oct 25 2014

Jym Mooney

Location: Havenwoods State Forest, Milwaukee
Milwaukee County

Also two Sulphur sp.

Eastern Comma

Eastern Comma

Oct 25 2014

Douglas J. buege

Location: Near Tenney Park
Dane County

Oct 25 2014

Lester Doyle

Location: Lodi: Wildenberg Sand Prairie
Columbia County

10am-11am, Sunny, 61 degrees

Clouded Sulphur

Clouded Sulphur

American Copper

American Copper

Oct 25 2014

Randy Powers

Location: Kettle Moraine State Forest
Waukesha County

11:30Am - 2:30Pm: By noon 68 degrees, clear sunny skies, gusty winds. Lots of bird hunters out today, so I decided to stay on the upland horse riding trails near Pasque Prairie. I see the pheasants were also seeking refuge on the horse trails from hunters. Six sightings in all for two species. One of the Clouded Sulphurs is an albino. Hanging on a nearly invisible 25-30 foot thread from an Oak Tree a caterpillar at eye level swings back and fourth in the wind, about six feet off the ground. It took about thirty photos to finally catch a focused image of this larva!

Clouded Sulphur

Clouded Sulphur

Clouded Sulphur

Clouded Sulphur

Eastern Comma

Eastern Comma

Clouded Sulphur

Clouded Sulphur

Clouded Sulphur

Clouded Sulphur

Ring-necked Pheasant

Ring-necked Pheasant

Oct 26 2014

Mike Reese

Location: Hancock Park baseball diamonds off Hwy GG
Waushara County

With the temperatures in the high 50s and sunny I decided to see if I could find a Purplish Copper on the baseball field where I saw them on October 16, 2005. There were not many dandelions there but there were two butterflies!

Prime habitat?

Prime habitat?

Purplish Copper

Purplish Copper

Celery Looper

Celery Looper

Oct 26 2014

K. Java

Location: Cow pasture near my house
Burnett County

On a west facing hill a few Asters and Clovers were still flowering with the Sulphurs nectaring on them.

Oct 26 2014

Alex Harmon

Location: Horicon Marsh NWR
Dodge County

Many young fishing spiders were ballooning everywhere, spanning the boardwalk with Halloween-like spiderwebs!

Oct 26 2014

Dean Hansen

Location: Our cabin in the woods, Roosevelt Twp
Burnett County

Single Compton Tortoiseshell still flying about the eves of the cabin. Maybe the nice Indian summer day brought it out of its torpor, or maybe it was just seeking a somewhat better hiding-hole to spend the next 5-6 months. Lovely day!

Oct 26 2014

Sylvia Edlebeck

Location: Stricker's Pond, Middleton
Dane County

2:30pm, sunny, low 60s. I was happy to see these three butterflies today. At the end of October, all butterfly sightings are most welcome.

Oct 26 2014

Ron Arnold

Location: my property in the town of Seneca
Wood County

65 degrees this afternoon. The Cabbage White flew into my garage and tried nectaring on some purple shag carpeting, it must have looked like a giant Aster.

Oct 27 2014

Ryan Brady

Location: My house just west of Washburn
Bayfield County

Oct 27 2014

Randy Powers

Location: Town of Fredonia, County Trunk I
Ozaukee County

10Am-1Pm: 65-72 degrees, sunny clear skies, windy: Working in the front garden, next to the house, 11:30 Am we flushed a Clouded Sulphur, about five minutes later another. I decided now was the time to do a walk through the native wildflower meadow, flushing three more Sulphurs. On my way back to the garden I saw an Eastern Comma on the Crab Apple tree, approached, it settled on the ground. My thought was that if I found a Comma in the front yard, maybe there could be one in the back. My assumption payed off, I photographed two Commas in the back yard. All happened over a forty-five minute period. We never saw any other butterflies for the rest of the day! 10Am - 5: 30 Pm.

Clouded Sulphur

Clouded Sulphur

Eastern Comma

Eastern Comma

Eastern Comma

Eastern Comma

Eastern Comma

Eastern Comma

Clouded Sulphur

Clouded Sulphur

Oct 27 2014

Alex Harmon

Location: Dodgeville
Iowa County

Oct 28 2014

Randy Powers

Location: Lake Church, Lake front property
Ozaukee County

10Am, 55 degrees, clear skies, gusty winds from Southwest. My first butterfly at 10:15 Am on Crab Apple tree. 10:30 Am a Monarch comes off the lake landing by us on a Frost Aster, as I approach it it flies away, I find it a few minutes later on the property to the South on Goldenrod. By 11:30 Am three Admirals are observed on the Crab Apple, nectaring from rotten fruits, a second Monarch off the lake comes right to the Crab landing on fruit at the tree top. Warblers feeding on insects off the rotting fruits chase it away before I can get a photo. As I leave for lunch 12:45 driving off the property to the North another Monarch lands in front of the car on the firelane to the main road, my third Monarch of the day is photographed on Goldenrod. By 2:30 Pm 100% clouds had covered the sky. The last butterfly of the day was seen about 2:20 Pm.

Monarch

Monarch

Red Admiral

Red Admiral

Red Admiral

Red Admiral

Red Admiral

Red Admiral

Cabbage White

Cabbage White

Oct 29 2014

Randy Powers

Location: Somers Township: Private residence
Kenosha County

Didn't see my first butterfly of the day until after lunch 1:15 Pm when for about a twenty minute period the sun peeked through the clouds,
"Clouded Sulphur" It was still cold enough that the Sulphur did not move from the flower even after touching it several times. It only moved over on the flower. At 3 Pm once again the sun came out, our warmest moment of the day at 58 degrees. First I saw an Orange Sulphur on Stiff Gentian, fifteen minutes later a Clouded Sulphur on Frost Aster. No more butterflies were seen for the rest of the day!

Orange Sulphur

Orange Sulphur

Clouded Sulphur

Clouded Sulphur