Butterfly sightings for September 2014

Sep 1 2014

Randy Powers

Location: Emmons Creek State Fishery
Portage County

4:30 -5:30 Pm: 78 degrees, sunny, fluffy clouds & gusty winds. Except for goldenrods & asters not much in bloom! Thirty sightings for six different species

Great Spangled Fritillary

Great Spangled Fritillary

Eastern Tailed-Blue

Eastern Tailed-Blue

Eastern Tailed-Blue

Eastern Tailed-Blue

Monarch

Monarch

Aphrodite Fritillary

Aphrodite Fritillary

Sep 1 2014

Judith Huf

Location: Schlitz Audubon Nature Center
Milwaukee County

Every kind of weather today. Started out overcast and humid, 70F, then it rained for a couple of hours, and finally it turned sunny, breezy and about 80F. Saw the lightest Question Mark I've ever observed. Besides butterflies: a Hummingbird Clearwing Moth, and many lovely red Meadowhawks.

Question Mark

Question Mark

Peck's Skipper

Peck's Skipper

Great Spangled Fritillary

Great Spangled Fritillary

Meadowhawk sp.

Meadowhawk sp.

Hummingbird Clearwing

Hummingbird Clearwing

Sep 1 2014

Pam Campbell

Location: Colfax
Dunn County

The Asters and Goldenrod were popular today, attracting little clouds of Eastern Tailed-Blues and one interesting lime green and black striped beetle.

Monarch

Monarch

Eastern Tailed-Blue

Eastern Tailed-Blue

Locust Borer

Locust Borer

American Copper

American Copper

American Copper

American Copper

Orange Sulphur

Orange Sulphur

Orange Sulphur

Orange Sulphur

Clouded Sulphur

Clouded Sulphur

Viceroy

Viceroy

Sep 1 2014

Jym Mooney

Location: Havenwoods State Forest, Milwaukee
Milwaukee County

Peck's Skipper

Peck's Skipper

Viceroy

Viceroy

Sep 1 2014

Randy Powers

Location: Lincoln Co. Forest Hunting Grounds
Lincoln County

Township of Tomahawk, Camp Ave. - eight mile stretch, 1:10 -3:10 Pm 72 degrees, calm, mostly cloudy with the sun trying to peek through! Thirty-nine sightings for seven species.

Monarch

Monarch

Viceroy

Viceroy

White Admiral

White Admiral

'Summer' Spring Azure

'Summer' Spring Azure

Clouded Sulphur

Clouded Sulphur

Mustard White

Mustard White

Sep 2 2014

Mike Reese

Location: USFW Waterfowl Production Area off 18th Ave.
Waushara County

I went here to pick some elderberries that I didn't pick last week because they weren't ripe. The birds beat me to them! I was most surprised by the the fresh Purplish Copper males. 3:30-4:00.

Purplish Copper

Purplish Copper

Sep 2 2014

Cathy Mauer

Location: Crane Dr & Pleasant Ave, Town of Medford
Taylor County

This individual seems very light compared to those on this site and in books.

Question Mark

Question Mark

Question Mark

Question Mark

Sep 2 2014

Pam Campbell

Location: Lamb's Creek SWA
Dunn County

This was a drive of a few miles around the Lamb's Creek area. Most of the Monarchs were in a nearby clover field. In just a quick binocular scan of the field, I counted over 45. All fresh and beautiful!

Question Mark

Question Mark

Question Mark

Question Mark

Bronze Copper

Bronze Copper

Bronze Copper

Bronze Copper

Monarch

Monarch

Red Admiral, American Lady

Red Admiral, American Lady

Viceroy

Viceroy

Eastern Comma

Eastern Comma

Eastern Tailed-Blue

Eastern Tailed-Blue

Least Skipper

Least Skipper

Sep 2 2014

TAF Threshold

Location: West Bend, Threshold on Rolfs Ave.
Washington County

Sep 2 2014

Richard Ouren

Location: Oulu, Airport Road area
Bayfield County

Sep 2 2014

K. Java

Location: Crex Meadows SWA
Burnett County

I just did a count on Hilda's Corner and James Road. Monarchs everywhere nectaring on Goldenrod. My count for them is very conservative.

Meadow Fritillary

Meadow Fritillary

Sep 3 2014

Mike Reese

Location: Mariner's Trail, Manitowoc to Two Rivers
Manitowoc County

Painted Lady

Painted Lady

Sep 3 2014

Sylvia Edlebeck

Location: Madison, west side, private garden
Dane County

2:00pm, sunny, low 80s. There was a huge bush with orange flowers where the 7 monarchs spent all of their time. A hummingbird joined them at one point.

Silver-spotted Skipper

Silver-spotted Skipper

Monarch

Monarch

Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Monarch

Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Monarch

Sep 3 2014

Judith Huf

Location: Schlitz Audubon Nature Center
Milwaukee County

Beautiful sunny mild morning, but I spent too much of it pulling Burdock instead of looking for birds and butterflies.

Sep 3 2014

Mike Reese

Location: Hausehalter Lane
Fond du Lac County

Gray Comma

Gray Comma

Sep 3 2014

Karl and Dorothy Legler

Location: County K north of Prairie du Chien.
Crawford County

Fiery Skipper

Fiery Skipper

Bronze Copper

Bronze Copper

Sep 3 2014

Chuck Petters

Location: Marsh Road
Waupaca County

Northern Crescent

Northern Crescent

Red Admiral

Red Admiral

Clouded Sulphur

Clouded Sulphur

Eastern Tailed-Blue

Eastern Tailed-Blue

Sep 3 2014

Karl and Dorothy Legler

Location: Blue River Sand Barrens, Baxter Lane, Wyalusing SP, Cassville area.
Grant County

Pearl Crescent

Pearl Crescent

American Copper

American Copper

Little Yellow

Little Yellow

Gray Comma

Gray Comma

Leonard's Skipper

Leonard's Skipper

Sep 4 2014

Darleen Horman

Location: My yard in Allenton
Washington County

Sunny, very warm and humid. The butterflies looked very fresh except for some of the Pearl Crescents, which were very faded. Plenty of dragonflies, bees and soldier beetles! Also found 2 early instar Eastern Tiger Swallowtail caterpillars. One on a White Ash sapling, the other on Wild Black Cherry.

Red Admiral

Red Admiral

Monarch

Monarch

'Summer' Spring Azure

'Summer' Spring Azure

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail caterpillar

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail caterpillar

Viceroy

Viceroy

Sep 4 2014

Peter Sveiks

Location: Eble Park Flower Gardens - Brookfield
Waukesha County

Monarch

Monarch

Monarch

Monarch

Sep 5 2014

Alex Harmon

Location: Dodgeville
Iowa County

In our school's tiny prarie "arboretum". A full grown monarch caterpillar was also found.

Eastern Tailed-Blue

Eastern Tailed-Blue

Eastern Tailed-Blue

Eastern Tailed-Blue

Sep 5 2014

Randy Powers

Location: Waterloo Prairie: Southern Unit
Jefferson County

Seventy-five degrees, gusty winds, clouds roll through all day long, potential storms threaten!
1:00 - 3:30 Pm, Forty-four sightings for eight different species

Viceroy

Viceroy

Eastern Comma

Eastern Comma

Eastern Comma

Eastern Comma

Pearl Crescent

Pearl Crescent

Silver-bordered Fritillary

Silver-bordered Fritillary

Great Spangled Fritillary

Great Spangled Fritillary

'Summer' Spring Azure

'Summer' Spring Azure

Black Swallowtail

Black Swallowtail

Monarch

Monarch

★ = New county photo record

Sep 5 2014

Adam Sinkula

Location: Marquette Park
Kewaunee County

Eastern Tailed-Blue

Eastern Tailed-Blue

Sep 6 2014

Judith Huf

Location: My garden in Whitefish Bay
Milwaukee County

Casual observations on a beautiful sunny and mild afternoon.

Sep 6 2014

Darleen Horman

Location: My yard in Allenton
Washington County

Mostly sunny, slight wind, 70's. Saw 3 monarchs flying overhead in a southwesterly direction earlier in the day. Later saw 3 more male monarchs nectaring mostly on the stiff goldenrod. Saw my FOY common buckeye. The Eastern Tiger Swallowtail was a worn, dark form female. Also saw some sort of beetle eating the flowers of false sunflower.

Common Buckeye

Common Buckeye

Monarch

Monarch

Sep 6 2014

Mike Reese

Location: Sandhill Wildlife Area
Wood County

Saw my first Cinnabar-Red Chanterelles. Thanks to Fern Springs for sending my photos to an expert for ID.
15 of the 18 Monarchs were in the gardens at the entrance.

Cinnabar-Red Chanterelle

Cinnabar-Red Chanterelle

Sep 6 2014

Beth Stetenfeld

Location: Waterloo Quartzite Outcrops State Natural Area and Mud Lake Wildlife Area
Dodge County

Clear day, light breeze, mid-70s. Goldenrod, Joe Pye Weed, Boneset, Compass Plant, Thistles in bloom. Many of the butterflies seemed to prefer the Thistles. There were two Giant Swallowtails caterpillars together on a Prickly Ash shrub.

Viceroy

Viceroy

Monarch

Monarch

Giant Swallowtail caterpillars

Giant Swallowtail caterpillars

Pearl Crescent

Pearl Crescent

Black Swallowtail

Black Swallowtail

Sep 6 2014

Alex Harmon

Location: Outside of Platteville
Grant County

A triple Polygonia day! Also, about 1,000+ yellow jackets, bald-faces hornets, and paper wasps on the rotten apples.

Red-spotted Purple

Red-spotted Purple

Sep 6 2014

Ann Thering

Location: Lake Mendota
Dane County

With 3 other spotters.

Sep 6 2014

Ann Thering

Location: Garden
Dane County

This is only the second Gray Hairstreak I've seen this year; the first was quite worn.

Gray Hairstreak

Gray Hairstreak

Sep 6 2014

Pamela Skaar

Location: Pheasant branch Conservancy, Middleton, WI
Dane County

2.6 miles, 57 - 70 F, 8:03 - 10:42, N wind 4 - 7, sunny. Incidental while birding

Sep 6 2014

Randy Powers

Location: Bauer & Brockway Barrens
Jackson County

Seventy-four degrees, Sunny virtually no clouds & mild winds: 10:30 Am - 12:30 Pm. Eighty-four sightings for eight different species!

Leonard's Skipper

Leonard's Skipper

Leonard's Skipper

Leonard's Skipper

Common Wood-Nymph

Common Wood-Nymph

Monarch

Monarch

American Lady

American Lady

Aphrodite Fritillary

Aphrodite Fritillary

Aphrodite Fritillary

Aphrodite Fritillary

Northern Crescent

Northern Crescent

Eastern Tailed-Blue

Eastern Tailed-Blue

Sep 6 2014

Randy Powers

Location: Cottonville Rustic Road
Adams County

2:15 Pm - 4:40 Pm, Cloud cover is heavier, with sun peeking through occasionally, gusty winds and seventy-two degrees. Sixty-four sightings for eleven different species

Purplish Copper

Purplish Copper

Purplish Copper

Purplish Copper

Cabbage White

Cabbage White

Monarch

Monarch

Eastern Comma

Eastern Comma

Compton Tortoiseshell

Compton Tortoiseshell

Red-spotted Purple

Red-spotted Purple

Red Admiral

Red Admiral

Pearl Crescent

Pearl Crescent

Aphrodite Fritillary

Aphrodite Fritillary

'Summer' Spring Azure

'Summer' Spring Azure

Purplish Copper

Purplish Copper

Purplish Copper

Purplish Copper

Sep 7 2014

Peter Sveiks

Location: Southern Kettle Moraine - Scuppernong Springs Trail
Waukesha County

Eastern Comma

Eastern Comma

Sep 7 2014

Marcie O'Connor

Location: our farm - along Hwy 88 north of Praag
Buffalo County

I finally saw a Peck's Skipper at the farm! (New on your map for Buffalo County) I've been seeing them in the twin cities, but this is the first one I've seen here.

Little Yellow

Little Yellow

Peck's Skipper

Peck's Skipper

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

Sep 7 2014

D Nussbaum

Location: Our Property
Waupaca County

Least Skipper

Least Skipper

Sep 7 2014

Mike Reese

Location: Olbrich Botanical Gardens
Dane County

Sep 7 2014

Sylvia Edlebeck

Location: Smith-Reiner Drumlin Prairie, near Cambridge
Dane County

Monarch

Monarch

Peck's Skipper

Peck's Skipper

Peck's Skipper

Peck's Skipper

Least Skipper

Least Skipper

Least Skipper

Least Skipper

Common Wood-Nymph

Common Wood-Nymph

Pearl Crescent

Pearl Crescent

Orange Sulphur

Orange Sulphur

Sep 7 2014

Judith Huf

Location: Lion's Den Gorge
Ozaukee County

Sunny and beautiful but not enough birds or butterflies.

Orange Sulphur

Orange Sulphur

Sep 8 2014

Christine Kirsch

Location: My back yard on Drake St. Madison, wi. Across from Vilas zoo.
Dane County

I have seen either this butterfly or another giant swallowtail throughout the summer feeding on my phlox and zinnias. This one appears to have damage to its lower wings.

Giant Swallowtail

Giant Swallowtail

Giant Swallowtail

Giant Swallowtail

Sep 8 2014

Mike Reese

Location: Forest Beach Migratory Preserve
Ozaukee County

Sep 8 2014

Mike Reese

Location: Cretan Labyrinth Garden, Regner Park, West Bend
Washington County

Sep 9 2014

Ginny Nelson

Location: Ice Age Junction between PD and Cross Country Road
Dane County

The butterflies were observed as I gathered prairie seeds for Dane County Parks.

Sep 9 2014

TAF Threshold

Location: West Bend, Threshold on Rolfs Ave.
Washington County

Mostly sunny and warm. The monarchs were just passing by.

Sep 9 2014

Dan Sonnenberg

Location: Our Yard, Meadow and Marsh (& Cnty M between Cnty D & Hwy 23)
Marquette County

82° Sunny change to Cloudy. Red Spotted Purple and E. Comma were on the stems of honeysuckle in marsh. We saw 25+ Whites were on Cnty M while driving. Giants were headed West like the migrating Monarchs. We had 13 Monarchs on the zinnia's at one time on the 7th.

Sep 9 2014

Jackie Pratt

Location: Olbrich Botanical Gardens, Madison
Dane County

A sunny, not very humid afternoon, mid-70's temperature. Seen in a relatively shady area. No others seen.

Pipevine Swallowtail

Pipevine Swallowtail

Sep 9 2014

Chuck Petters

Location: Marsh Road
Waupaca County

Bronze Copper

Bronze Copper

American Lady

American Lady

Eastern Comma

Eastern Comma

Northern Crescent

Northern Crescent

Bronze Copper

Bronze Copper

Northern Crescent

Northern Crescent

American Lady

American Lady

Clouded Sulphur

Clouded Sulphur

Silver-bordered Fritillary

Silver-bordered Fritillary

Eastern Comma

Eastern Comma

Viceroy

Viceroy

Red Admiral

Red Admiral

Eastern Comma

Eastern Comma

'Summer' Spring Azure

'Summer' Spring Azure

Cabbage White

Cabbage White

Bronze Copper

Bronze Copper

Sep 9 2014

Jim Ebner

Location: Okauchee . Rd G and Lake Dtive
Waukesha County

Good weather, fair numbers.

Sep 9 2014

Mike Reese

Location: Harrington Beach State Park
Ozaukee County

I hiked only on the trail along the lake.

Sep 9 2014

Pam Campbell

Location: Colfax
Dunn County

Upper 70's, breezy and mostly cloudy. The fall colors are beginning to show.

Black Swallowtail

Black Swallowtail

American Copper

American Copper

Monarch

Monarch

Eastern Comma

Eastern Comma

Orange Sulphur

Orange Sulphur

Clouded Sulphur

Clouded Sulphur

Mourning Cloak

Mourning Cloak

Mourning Cloak

Mourning Cloak

Mustard White

Mustard White

Sep 9 2014

Darleen Horman

Location: My yard in Allenton
Washington County

Late afternoon, mostly sunny and warm, then clouded over. The monarchs were nectaring on New England aster and Stiff goldenrod. The dragonflies were very active, mostly Black saddlebags.

Viceroy

Viceroy

Sep 9 2014

Mike Reese

Location: Mariner's Trail, Manitowoc to Two Rivers
Manitowoc County

Not much nectaring on the flowers. Lots of Bronzed Tiger Beetles on the beach and I was surprised to find a female Pelecinid Wasp. The wasp looked like it was having problems as it was down by the water, but I nudged it after taking lots of photos and it just flew away.

Bronzed Tiger Beetle

Bronzed Tiger Beetle

Black Saddlebags

Black Saddlebags

Black Saddlebags

Black Saddlebags

Pelecinid Wasp

Pelecinid Wasp

Sep 9 2014

Mike Reese

Location: Several places in Kewaunee
Kewaunee County

All the Monarchs were along the Kewaunee Marshland Walk.

Painted Lady

Painted Lady

★ = New county photo record

Sep 10 2014

Kelly Doyle

Location: Greendale, Home Garden
Milwaukee County

I have 3 5th instar Black Swallow Cats enjoying the fennel in my garden.

Black Swallowtail caterpillar

Black Swallowtail caterpillar

Sep 11 2014

Mike Reese

Location: Ken Euers Nature Area
Brown County

Cloudy, windy, 50 degrees. One hardy butterfly flying around and nectaring on Black Mustard.

Sep 13 2014

Joshua Cullum

Location: 8 miles northwest of Janesville
Rock County

All Monarchs seen were high flying migrants observed while watching birds. Counted carefully, but definitely an undercount.

Sep 14 2014

Thomas J. Hickey

Location: Olbrich Botanical Gardens
Dane County

A wondrous morning at the the gardens......especially the herb garden! Counted around 15 Monarchs!

Black Saddlebags

Black Saddlebags

American Lady

American Lady

Cabbage White

Cabbage White

Monarch

Monarch

Monarch

Monarch

Sep 14 2014

Jim Ebner

Location: Okauchee, Lake Drive and Rd G
Waukesha County

Monarchs common.. Great Spangled Frit on red clover...female.

Sep 14 2014

Melanie Hammer

Location: Nashotah County Park
Waukesha County

100's of Monarchs on the grassland trail

Monarchs

Monarchs

Sep 14 2014

Sylvia Edlebeck

Location: Badger Prairie County Park, Verona
Dane County

There were lots of asters around, but I only saw one butterfly nectaring on an aster, and then just briefly. It was nice to see monarchs flying in all different parts of the park.

Eastern Tailed-Blue

Eastern Tailed-Blue

Cabbage White

Cabbage White

Pearl Crescent

Pearl Crescent

Monarch

Monarch

Sep 14 2014

Darleen Horman

Location: My yard in Allenton
Washington County

Finally sunshine and warmer after a couple days of cold, rainy weather. The monarchs were nectaring mostly on New England Aster. Also found a White-lined sphinx moth caterpillar, Hermit Sphinx caterpillar and several Woolly Bears!

Monarch

Monarch

Hermit Sphinx caterpillar

Hermit Sphinx caterpillar

Sep 14 2014

Peter Sveiks

Location: Lapham Peak State Park
Waukesha County

Monarch

Monarch

Cabbage White

Cabbage White

Clouded Sulphur

Clouded Sulphur

Sep 14 2014

Jym Mooney

Location: Lake Park, Milwaukee
Milwaukee County

Sep 14 2014

Fern Springs

Location: Pigeon Creek Campground
Jackson County

2-4:30 Not many butterflies. Lots of colorful interesting mushrooms.

Northern Crescent

Northern Crescent

Clouded Sulphur

Clouded Sulphur

Monarch

Monarch

Eastern Tailed-Blue

Eastern Tailed-Blue

Eastern Tailed-Blue

Eastern Tailed-Blue

Sep 14 2014

Douglas Buege

Location: Eagle Heights community garden
Dane County

Sep 14 2014

Peter Gorman

Location: Stewart County Park
Dane County

Eastern Comma

Eastern Comma

Eastern Comma

Eastern Comma

Sep 14 2014

Randy Powers

Location: Mosquitoe Hill Nature Center
Outagamie County

Sunday 12 Noon to 2:00 Pm, 64 degrees, sunny with clouds passing through, gusty winds! Thirty-one sightings for ten different species & three unknown caterpillars!

Red Admiral

Red Admiral

Eastern Comma

Eastern Comma

Common Wood-Nymph

Common Wood-Nymph

Monarch

Monarch

Common Buckeye

Common Buckeye

Northern Crescent

Northern Crescent

Eastern Tailed-Blue

Eastern Tailed-Blue

Clouded Sulphur

Clouded Sulphur

Cabbage White

Cabbage White

Sep 14 2014

Beth Stetenfeld

Location: Near Montello, north of Buffalo Lake
Marquette County

It was a cooler than normal, but beautiful sunny September day. Saw at least 10 Monarchs. Most seemed to be traveling west along the road near the lake. They were casually floating down periodically for rest and nectar. Also, had a Red Admiral land on my leg as I was photographing various pollinators on Snakeroot plants.

Red Admiral

Red Admiral

Monarch

Monarch

Sep 15 2014

Pam Campbell

Location: Edgewater Road/Menomonie
Dunn County

High temp today 59 degrees. The Monarchs were high and headed Southwest.

Northern Crescent

Northern Crescent

Northern Crescent

Northern Crescent

Eastern Tailed-Blue

Eastern Tailed-Blue

Cabbage White

Cabbage White

Sep 16 2014

Sylvia Edlebeck

Location: Hook Lake Wildlife Area, east of Oregon
Dane County

Clover seemed to be the nectar source of choice today. There were lots of asters around, but the butterflies seemed to be ignoring them.

Eastern Tailed-Blue

Eastern Tailed-Blue

Monarch

Monarch

Sep 16 2014

Alex Harmon

Location: Dodgeville
Iowa County

The Silver-spotted Skipper caterpillar was found underneath some thorny plant, but now happily feeding on Wisteria.

Silver-spotted Skipper

Silver-spotted Skipper

Silver-spotted Skipper

Silver-spotted Skipper

Sep 16 2014

TAF Threshold

Location: West Bend, Threshold on Rolfs ave.
Washington County

Sunny, 61 degrees with slight NW wind. The monarchs were flying low and southbound along Rolfs Ave.

Sep 16 2014

Randy Powers

Location: Lake Church, Wi., Belgium Wisconsin
Ozaukee County

Over the years this private residence has been known to be a over night roosting area for Fall migrating Monarchs. However no large layovers have occurred since 2009. One 15 minute observation window of the tree line revealed 65 Monarchs, Later a 45 minute watch 137 monarchs counted up in the sky along the treeline. We recorded a total of 84 Monarchs on the 16 acre property grounds within another half hour! Total sightings including other butterfly species was 324 for a six hour day including nine different species.
It is obvious that Darner Dragonflies & Ruby-throated hummingbirds are also migrating at this time!

Cabbage White

Cabbage White

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Monarch

Monarch

American Lady

American Lady

Red Admiral

Red Admiral

Pearl Crescent

Pearl Crescent

'Summer' Spring Azure

'Summer' Spring Azure

Clouded Sulphur

Clouded Sulphur

Sep 16 2014

Chuck Petters

Location: Marsh Road
Waupaca County

A lot of Eastern Commas Today

Great Spangled Fritillary

Great Spangled Fritillary

Clouded Sulphur

Clouded Sulphur

Red Admiral

Red Admiral

Mourning Cloak

Mourning Cloak

Monarch

Monarch

Eastern Comma

Eastern Comma

Monarch

Monarch

Eastern Comma

Eastern Comma

Gray Comma

Gray Comma

Mourning Cloak

Mourning Cloak

Clouded Sulphur

Clouded Sulphur

Sep 17 2014

Pam Campbell

Location: Lamb's Creek SWA
Dunn County

High temp 70 degrees. Lots of asters and goldenrod in bloom along with the first Bottle gentian I've spotted this year.

Meadow Fritillary

Meadow Fritillary

Bronze Copper

Bronze Copper

Monarch

Monarch

Viceroy

Viceroy

'Summer' Spring Azure

'Summer' Spring Azure

Orange Sulphur

Orange Sulphur

Bottled Gentian

Bottled Gentian

Meadow Fritillary

Meadow Fritillary

Sep 17 2014

Chuck Petters

Location: Marsh Road
Waupaca County

Bronze Copper

Bronze Copper

Eastern Tailed-Blue

Eastern Tailed-Blue

Eastern Comma

Eastern Comma

Eastern Comma

Eastern Comma

Purplish Copper

Purplish Copper

Eastern Comma

Eastern Comma

Orange Sulphur

Orange Sulphur

Bronze Copper

Bronze Copper

Eastern Tailed-Blue

Eastern Tailed-Blue

'Summer' Spring Azure

'Summer' Spring Azure

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

Sep 17 2014

Kristin Gjerdset

Location: Capitol Drive from 43 exit to downtown Shorewood, WI
Milwaukee County

When I exited onto Capitol Drive off of 43, I saw a monarch above as I was driving then another and another and multiple others as I kept driving East. It was difficult to concentrate on driving. When I sat down to paint in downtown Shorewood at a house, as part of their annual plein air competition, I continued to see monarchs. They even settled on some of the sedums so I included them in my painting. It was a wondrous day.

Sep 17 2014

Thomas J. Hickey

Location: Milwaukee.....my home butterfly garden
Milwaukee County

Much activity today on the New England asters with Monarchs, Sulfurs, honey and bumble bees!

Monarch

Monarch

Orange Sulphur

Orange Sulphur

Orange Sulphur

Orange Sulphur

Monarch

Monarch

Sep 17 2014

Mike Reese

Location: Pioneer Trail
Douglas County

From Hwy 35 to County A. 1-2:30 pm. Sunny, low 60s.

Sep 17 2014

Judith Huf

Location: Schlitz Audubon Nature Center
Milwaukee County

Monarchs on the move today! Sunny and mild. Lots of prairie flowers in bloom.

American Lady

American Lady

Sep 18 2014

Alex Harmon

Location: Dodgeville
Iowa County

Sep 18 2014

TAF Threshold

Location: West Bend, Threshold on Rolfs Ave.
Washington County

The buckeye was nectaring on marigolds in our vegetable garden

Sep 19 2014

Kristin Gjerdset

Location: Urban Ecology Center
Milwaukee County

Monarch

Monarch

Sep 19 2014

Dave Czoschke

Location: Snake Creek Fen SNA
Green Lake County

Eastern Comma

Eastern Comma

Eastern Comma

Eastern Comma

Sep 19 2014

Alex Harmon

Location: Natural Bridges State Park
Sauk County

Sep 19 2014

Darleen Horman

Location: My yard in Allenton
Washington County

The Monarchs I saw were all males and nectaring on New England Asters along with numerous bees and wasps. Also noted several Common Green Darners flying about.

Sep 20 2014

Mike Reese

Location: Wisconsin Point
Douglas County

Sunny with the temps near 70 in the afternoon.

Sep 20 2014

Karl and Dorothy Legler

Location: Necedah NWR
Juneau County

75 degrees and sunny. Quite a bit of fall colors. Several Monarchs. Many juvenile Common Green Darners, mosaic darners and Autumn Meadowhawks.

American Copper

American Copper

Sep 20 2014

Peter Gorman

Location: Stewart County Park
Dane County

Question Mark

Question Mark

Question Mark

Question Mark

Red Admiral

Red Admiral

Sep 22 2014

Pam Campbell

Location: Edgewater Road/Menomonie
Dunn County

Barely 70 degrees today.

Fall!

Fall!

American Copper

American Copper

American Copper

American Copper

Monarch

Monarch

Eastern Tailed-Blue

Eastern Tailed-Blue

Sulphurs

Sulphurs

Cabbage White

Cabbage White

Northern Crescent

Northern Crescent

Sep 22 2014

Sylvia Edlebeck

Location: Olbrich Gardens, Madison
Dane County

Especially enjoyed seeing the Eastern comma, since it's a butterfly I don't see that often.

Eastern Comma

Eastern Comma

Red Admiral

Red Admiral

Painted Lady

Painted Lady

Monarch

Monarch

Eastern Comma

Eastern Comma

Sep 22 2014

Douglas Buege

Location: East side of Madison and Olbrich Gardens
Dane County

Sep 22 2014

Randy Powers

Location: Fredonia, Wisconsin Residence
Ozaukee County

Clear sunny day, mild winds, some clouds in the sky. Fourteen sightings for four species!

Eastern Comma

Eastern Comma

Clouded Sulphur

Clouded Sulphur

Clouded Sulphur

Clouded Sulphur

Cabbage White

Cabbage White

Sep 22 2014

Sylvia Edlebeck

Location: Rotary Gardens, Janesville
Rock County

Lots of fiery skippers here today. The first that I've seen this year.

Fiery Skipper

Fiery Skipper

Sep 22 2014

Dan Sonnenberg

Location: Oxford
Marquette County

Sep 23 2014

Judith Huf

Location: Lake Park
Milwaukee County

9-10am, Sunny and warm. Lots of Monarchs; I counted 14 on one large Aster.

Monarch

Monarch

Sep 23 2014

Jim Ebner

Location: My property Nickels Pt rd Okauchee
Waukesha County

Pleasant day

Sep 23 2014

Mike Reese

Location: Leola Marsh
Adams County

Sunny, low 70s, 3:00-5:00pm

Purplish Copper

Purplish Copper

Purplish Copper

Purplish Copper

Sep 23 2014

Alex Harmon

Location: LaRiviere Park, Prairie du Chien
Crawford County

First of year (for me at least) Little Yellow.

Sep 23 2014

Chuck Petters

Location: Marsh Road
Waupaca County

Viceroy

Viceroy

Eastern Comma

Eastern Comma

Eastern Comma

Eastern Comma

Sep 23 2014

Arlene Koziol

Location: Lakeshore nature Preserve, Madison
Dane County

On the grassy path between Frautshi Point and Biocore Prairie

Eastern Tailed-Blue

Eastern Tailed-Blue

Sep 23 2014

TAF Threshold

Location: West Bend, Threshold on Rolfs Ave
Washington County

Saw 1 Common Buckeye nectaring on white clover near our vegetable garden

Sep 23 2014

K. Java

Location: Fish Lake SWA
Burnett County

A beautiful but slightly windy day. Most butterflies seen on Jimmy Carter Rd.

Eastern Comma

Eastern Comma

American Copper

American Copper

Bronze Copper

Bronze Copper

Sep 23 2014

Randy Powers

Location: Lake Church -lake front property
Ozaukee County

Sunny clear skies, calm Am , mild winds Pm, reaching 72 degrees. 10:00 Am - 4:00 Pm. Not the Monarch migrating frenzy we experienced last week! Still a lot of other butterfly species activity. Seventy-seven sightings for eleven species. Hummingbird females now six weeks after the males have left are finally leaving only two of seven still on site this week!

Cabbage White

Cabbage White

'Summer' Spring Azure

'Summer' Spring Azure

Question Mark

Question Mark

'Summer' Spring Azure

'Summer' Spring Azure

Painted Lady

Painted Lady

Mourning Cloak

Mourning Cloak

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Monarch

Monarch

Red Admiral

Red Admiral

American Lady

American Lady

Eastern Comma

Eastern Comma

Eastern Tailed-Blue

Eastern Tailed-Blue

Clouded Sulphur

Clouded Sulphur

Sep 23 2014

Jim Otto

Location: Necedah National Wildlife Refuge
Juneau County

This was a morning visit. Conditions were perfect: sunny, 60+ degrees, and not too windy. There were many Eastern Buck Moths flying this morning. I was fortunate to have one land for a photo. One of my photos shows a VERY worn fritillary which lacks most of its wing scales and wing edge. Looks like a Meadow Frit to me. The brave thing was still flying. Oddest sighting was an American Copper courting, then mating with a female Purplish Copper! Photos attached!

Red Admiral

Red Admiral

Purplish Copper, American Copper

Purplish Copper, American Copper

Purplish Copper, American Copper

Purplish Copper, American Copper

Mourning Cloak

Mourning Cloak

Meadow Fritillary

Meadow Fritillary

Eastern Comma

Eastern Comma

Buck Moth

Buck Moth

Clouded Sulphur

Clouded Sulphur

Cabbage White

Cabbage White

American Copper

American Copper

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

Sep 23 2014

Jim Otto

Location: Leola Marsh State Wildlife Area
Adams County

1:30-2:15 pm

Purplish Copper

Purplish Copper

Purplish Copper

Purplish Copper

Monarch

Monarch

Sep 24 2014

Randy Powers

Location: Town of Somers
Kenosha County

Private residence with prairie remnant. Sunny day with passing clouds. Seventy Two degrees, Am calm, Pm mild winds. 10:00 Am - 4:00 Pm. One Hundred Nineteen sightings for Eleven species.

Monarch

Monarch

Viceroy

Viceroy

Common Buckeye

Common Buckeye

Painted Lady

Painted Lady

Eastern Comma

Eastern Comma

Pearl Crescent

Pearl Crescent

Orange Sulphur

Orange Sulphur

Eastern Tailed-Blue

Eastern Tailed-Blue

Eastern Tailed-Blue

Eastern Tailed-Blue

Clouded Sulphur

Clouded Sulphur

Cabbage White

Cabbage White

★ = New county photo record

Sep 24 2014

TAF Threshold

Location: West Bend, Threshold on Rolfs Ave.
Washington County

Flying through the garden

Sep 24 2014

Peter Sveiks

Location: Mitchell Park - Brookfield
Waukesha County

Eastern Comma

Eastern Comma

Ruby Tiger Moth caterpillar

Ruby Tiger Moth caterpillar

Eastern Comma

Eastern Comma

Sep 25 2014

Randy Powers

Location: Production Farm Newburg, Wi
Washington County

Sunny, clear, No winds seventy-eight degrees. Twenty-nine sightings for Nine different species.
Lots of praying mantis in the area, and photo of a mating pair!

Clouded Sulphur

Clouded Sulphur

Praying Mantis

Praying Mantis

Pearl Crescent

Pearl Crescent

Great Spangled Fritillary

Great Spangled Fritillary

Eastern Tailed-Blue

Eastern Tailed-Blue

Orange Sulphur

Orange Sulphur

Cabbage White

Cabbage White

Black Swallowtail

Black Swallowtail

Sep 25 2014

Dan Sonnenberg

Location: Our Yard
Marquette County

79° Sunny. Have been waiting all year for a Dainty. Only saw 1 last year on Oct 5th. Viceroy flew in front of me into the barn, then stopped for a good look on the sill plate.
[Editor's note: Dainty Sulphur is the first one reported this year in Wisconsin! — Mike]

Dainty Sulphur

Dainty Sulphur

'Summer' Spring Azure

'Summer' Spring Azure

Sep 25 2014

Armund Bartz

Location: Hogback Prairie State Natural Area
Crawford County

While driving along the base of the Hogback on the east side pondering management ideas I spotted a female regal. I hopped out for a closer look and she first appeared to be laying eggs but as I followed her between short flights and rests I could see she was just basking to warm up in the mid morning hours.

Sep 25 2014

Alex Harmon

Location: Dodgeville
Iowa County

Sep 25 2014

Scott and Ann Swengel

Location: Mirror Lake State Park
Sauk County

3:45-4:39 pm. Just Scott surveying today. Most of the butterflies were in the barrens west of Hastings Road. On Sept. 27 Ann and I found 9 American Coppers in just 10 minutes here.

Sep 25 2014

jorgen Goderstad

Location: Black Earth/Mazomanie
Dane County

Sep 26 2014

Scott and Ann Swengel

Location: Leola Grassland
Adams County

11:06 am to 3:45 pm, 70-78 degrees F, 100% sunshine, wind south 3-8 mph. We walked 5 miles in the grassland and 1 mile of roadsides. Purplish Coppers are having a strong 3rd brood here. Survey coverage was slightly greater than on August 3 when we had 10% more Purplish Coppers than today. 185 of the Purplish Coppers were in grasslands bordering Archer Road, and 12 were seen in the mowed edge of Archer Road in the first 1/2 mile west of County W. We found at least 15 Purplish Coppers in all seven transects off-road bordering Archer. Most coppers were in good wing condition. The largest concentration of coppers was in the first quarter mile west of County W, 250 meters north of Archer road. An easy to find (easier walking) concentration was barely >1/4 mile west of Cty W, a little south of Archer number. Coppers were nectaring on several species of white asters. We saw 9 Purplish Coppers on one clump of asters about 0.75-0.8 miles west of County W, 10 meters north of Archer Road. We also readily found Purplish Coppers nectaring on asters and Hoary Alyssum in mowed roadsides on both sides of County W just north of the east-west ditch that borders Apache Road.

Sep 26 2014

Christine Doss

Location: Kenosha, Southeast
Kenosha County

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

Painted Lady

Painted Lady

Painted Lady

Painted Lady

Cabbage White

Cabbage White

Cabbage White

Cabbage White

Sep 26 2014

Mike Reese

Location: Spring Green Preserve SNA
Sauk County

This trip was to see the Splendid Tiger Beetle. It has been over 8 years since I last saw it so I was due! Thanks to Cynthia Bridge for reminding me how cool they are. I only saw two and they were not really very cooperative for photos, but I was able to watch them for quite a while with binoculars.

Splendid Tiger Beetle

Splendid Tiger Beetle

velvet ant sp.

velvet ant sp.

Sep 26 2014

Mike Reese

Location: Avoca Wildlife Area
Iowa County

Not a lot flying here despite plenty of nectar sources.

Little Yellow

Little Yellow

Sep 26 2014

Fern Springs

Location: My yard in Brockway
Jackson County

The lady was quite aggressive about trying to chase away the monarch.

Monarch

Monarch

American Lady

American Lady

Sep 27 2014

Alex Harmon

Location: Devil's Lake
Sauk County

Sep 27 2014

Beth Stetenfeld

Location: Aldo Leopold Nature Center
Dane County

I was surprised to see so many Monarchs still here. They were by far the dominant butterfly at the nature center today. Warm temperatures (80F), light breeze at 3 p.m. Plenty of nectar sources still, including various Asters. There were many more butterflies than my count, but I saw at least this many as I was taking photos of late-blooming plants.

Monarch

Monarch

Sep 27 2014

Alex Harmon

Location: Farm about 12 miles west of Baraboo
Sauk County

Used rotten apples to try to bait Compton Tortoiseshells, none seen.

Sep 27 2014

Sylvia Edlebeck

Location: Schurch Thomson and Shea Prairies
Iowa County

The Pearl Crescents and Great Spangled Fritillaries were very worn. Also saw 4 other worn butterflies that I couldn't identify for sure--maybe ladies? Except for 2 of the Orange Sulphurs the butterflies seemed to be ignoring the asters. In other years asters seem to be a big hit with butterflies but this year it seems not so much.

Pearl Crescent

Pearl Crescent

Orange Sulphur

Orange Sulphur

Eastern Tailed-Blue

Eastern Tailed-Blue

Eastern Tailed-Blue

Eastern Tailed-Blue

Sep 27 2014

Alex Harmon

Location: Spring Green SNA
Sauk County

12 Splendid Tiger Beetles seen, also one walkingstick and one Darapsa caterpillar.

Sep 27 2014

Peter Fissel

Location: Lake Farm Park
Dane County

Seen on a Madison Audubon bird walk. The Azure was a bit of a surprise. I'm seeing single Monarchs heading south nearly everywhere I go lately.

Sep 27 2014

Mike Reese

Location: Westfield along side of roads near Hwy 51/39
Marquette County

There is always lots of asters in bloom here in late September and early October and it always pays to make a stop. 4-5:00.

Monarch

Monarch

Fiery Skipper

Fiery Skipper

Sep 27 2014

Alex Harmon

Location: Natural Bridge SP
Sauk County

Tried again to use rotten apple bait for Compton Tortoiseshell, no success.

Sep 27 2014

Dan Sonnenberg

Location: Leola Marsh State Wildlife Area
Adams County

81° Sunny. Found the 1st Purplish Copper on the North side of Owens hill. Saw 2 Prairie Chickens there. The rest of the PCs were along W between Apache and Archer roads & Apache road. Heath Asters! W has hundreds of Wooly Bears.

Sep 28 2014

Peter Fissel

Location: My home in Madison
Dane County

A couple of sightings in my yard. The bug appears to be a Western Conifer Seed Bug - Leptoglossus occidentalis.

Western Conifer Seed Bug

Western Conifer Seed Bug

Sep 28 2014

Scott and Ann Swengel

Location: Cascade Mountain Road wetlands
Columbia County

Brief stop where Cascade mtn Road meets the I-39 northbound on-ramp.

Sep 28 2014

Scott and Ann Swengel

Location: Schoeneberg Marsh near Harvey Road
Columbia County

We looked for Purplish Coppers because of Jim Otto's September 2013 sightings of that species on more than one date here. 9:40-10:43 am, 66-71 degrees F, 100% sunshine, wind west 0-2 mph. The Purplish Copper was nearly at the east end of the curve in former Harvey Road after it turned from going north to going east. Bronze Coppers were on this "road" as well as on the trails east and north of the parking lot, and most were nectaring on white asters.

Sep 28 2014

Stan Rehm

Location: Badger Prairie County Park, Verona
Dane County

BST hilltopping out of camera range. A surprising paucity of BFs for an hour's walk on a warm sunny midday.

Sep 28 2014

Mike Reese

Location: Pine Island Wildlife Area
Columbia County

Sep 28 2014

Dean Hansen

Location: Roosevelt Twp., our cabin in the woods
Burnett County

Two Compton Tortoiseshells were apparently looking for a hibernating spot in the eves of the cabin. Lotsa flying about and exploring any nook or cranny. Lovely butterfly!

Sep 28 2014

Randy Powers

Location: Cottonville Rustic Road
Adams County

Sunny, a few passing clouds, mild winds and seventy-eight degrees. 3:30 - 5:00 Pm. Sixteen sightings for seven species. At the end of my butterfly adventure, my last stop on the rustic road for the day, I found a mating pair of Northern Walkingsticks, Wow!- another photo moment!

Pearl Crescent

Pearl Crescent

Eastern Tailed-Blue

Eastern Tailed-Blue

Walking Sticks

Walking Sticks

Red Admiral

Red Admiral

Eastern Comma

Eastern Comma

Cabbage White

Cabbage White

Sep 28 2014

Randy Powers

Location: Necedah National Wildlife Refuge
Juneau County

Sunny clear skies, calm, no wind! Eighty degrees, from 12:30 - 3:00 Pm. Seventeen sightings for Seven species. Just when I was ready to leave the refuge, a pair of Whooping Cranes flew into the wetland adjacent to the fire lane I was on! What a great photo moment -

Cabbage White

Cabbage White

Whooping Crane

Whooping Crane

Whooping Cranes

Whooping Cranes

Fiery Skipper

Fiery Skipper

Fiery Skipper

Fiery Skipper

Monarch

Monarch

Common Buckeye

Common Buckeye

Mourning Cloak

Mourning Cloak

Eastern Tailed-Blue

Eastern Tailed-Blue

American Copper

American Copper

Sep 28 2014

Pamela Skaar

Location: Abelman's Gorge SNA
Sauk County

1.0 mile, 14:40 - 15:36

Sep 28 2014

Dan Sonnenberg

Location: Our yard, meadow and marsh
Marquette County

82 degrees & Sunny. Took Doreen for a quick ride to check the trail cam and asters in the marsh. Dainty was along the soybean field across the RR tracks.

Sep 28 2014

Dan Sonnenberg

Location: Leola Marsh
Adams County

82 degrees & Sunny. Took Doreen back so she could see the Purplish & Owens Hill before heading to Minocqua to see the fall colors. We were there only 15 minutes. Had to laugh, didn't know Swengel's had been up there on the 26th.

Sep 29 2014

Jim Otto

Location: Yellowstone Lake State Park
Lafayette County

I was at the park looking for birds and butterflies from 9am to 12:30pm. The temperature reached 80F, but that was before the cold from went through later this afternoon.

Orange Sulphur

Orange Sulphur

Monarch

Monarch

Gray Comma

Gray Comma

Eastern Comma

Eastern Comma

★ = New county photo record

Sep 29 2014

Tim Fenske

Location: City of Middleton yard
Dane County

Sachem

Sachem

Sachem

Sachem

Sep 29 2014

Randy Powers

Location: Newburg, Wi Production Farm
Washington County

Sunny nearly clear skies, gusty winds, and 72 degrees. Fifteen sightings for fives species. Two types of Mantids both Chinese & Praying on farm.

Clouded Sulphur

Clouded Sulphur

Orange Sulphur

Orange Sulphur

Clouded Sulphur

Clouded Sulphur

Black Swallowtail

Black Swallowtail

Sep 30 2014

Randy Powers

Location: Lake Church, Wi Michigan Lake front property
Ozaukee County

Cloudy, with strong winds off Lake Michigan making air very damp and cool! 50 degrees, only a few moments in morning when the sun peeked through the clouds. 10 Am -12:30 Pm Six sightings for three species and a Brown Hooded Owlet caterpillar.
(Thanks to Peter Sveiks for the ID on this moth caterpillar. This is a species that was raised by Janice Stieffel from Door County and posted on bugguide here: http://bugguide.net/node/view/85053 ; Mike Reese)

Clouded Sulphur

Clouded Sulphur

Monarch

Monarch

Brown Hooded Owlet

Brown Hooded Owlet

Cabbage White

Cabbage White