Butterfly sightings for April 2015

Apr 1 2015

Kay Copsey, Freddy Copsey

Location: Richfield
Washington County

Sunny afternoon in Richfield!

Apr 1 2015

Stan Rehm

Location: Falk Wells Sugar River County Wildlife Area
Dane County

First visit ever to this recently-established, newly-open-to-the-public wildlife and recreation area south of Verona. Hundreds of acres (riverbank, fields, woods), but brush clearing and trail making have only just begun. Good potential for butterfly hikes later after the site matures.

Apr 1 2015

Jerry Ziegler

Location: Pickeral Lake Road, Town of Troy
Walworth County

Apr 1 2015

Sylvia Edlebeck, Joan Vennie

Location: Blue Mound State Park
Dane County

Eastern commas flitting around everywhere. Two of the mourning cloaks were extremely worn.

Eastern Comma

Eastern Comma

Mourning Cloak

Mourning Cloak

Apr 1 2015

Stan Rehm

Location: Fitchburg residential backyard
Dane County

This slightly ragged old fellow appeared today. Lots of tree sap in our woods, so he was ignoring the rotten banana and the spoonful of Smucker's strawberry preserves I had put out.

Mourning Cloak

Mourning Cloak

Apr 1 2015

Kathy Kascewicz

Location: In our back porch about a mile south of Fifield.
Price County

First butterfly of the year! Found on our back porch with temperature in the 50's.

Compton Tortoiseshell

Compton Tortoiseshell

Apr 2 2015

Judith Huf

Location: Lake Park
Milwaukee County

about 3pm, 65F and sunny. My first Wisconsin butterfly of the year!

Apr 2 2015

Joan Braune and Tod Highsmith

Location: downtown Madison
Dane County

Apr 2 2015

Beth Stetenfeld

Location: My backyard
Dane County

Warm day, breezy. Saw this beautiful Mourning Cloak floating by my window. When he landed in the leaves, I ran outside with my camera. Tried to step around to capture an open-wing shot, but he flew away.

Mourning Cloak

Mourning Cloak

Apr 2 2015

John Davis

Location: my backyard in Prairie du Chien
Crawford County

mid 60's, windy, and sunny

saw my first butterfly of the year

Apr 2 2015

Lester Doyle

Location: Mud Lake Natural Area (near Rio)
Columbia County

Eastern Comma

Eastern Comma

Apr 2 2015

Stan Rehm

Location: Capital City Trail near Eagle School
Dane County

Apr 5 2015

Annie Keith

Location: backyard in Orchard Ridge neighborhood, Madison, WI
Dane County

Warm, sunny day (60 degrees). Butterfly spent quite a bit of time sunny on the compost bin by the garden. The Eastern Comma was sunning on the side of a large cottonwood tree in yard, 3:55 in pm.

Mourning Cloak

Mourning Cloak

Eastern Comma

Eastern Comma

Apr 5 2015

Stan Rehm

Location: Grady Tract of the UW Arboretum
Dane County

Kudos to the University for the effort (and money) they have put in this past winter toward clearing out the invasive undergrowth. The habitat is improved and the line of sight is WAY better. If you've been disappointed here in the past, check it out this summer.

Wild Turkey

Wild Turkey

Mourning Cloak

Mourning Cloak

Apr 6 2015

Douglas Buege

Location: Near Tenney Park in Madison
Dane County

Apr 6 2015

Maureen Janson Heintz

Location: Starkweather Creek, Madison
Dane County

Mid afternoon sighting of a lovely Mourning Cloak sunning itself on a rock on the bank of Starkweather Creek. Sunny day at the time, moderate wind, around 60 degrees.

Mourning Cloak

Mourning Cloak

Apr 11 2015

Daniel Jackson

Location: Rural Chaseburg
Vernon County

Apr 11 2015

Jay Watson

Location: Backyard, Rosecrans, WI
Manitowoc County

Was found flying around our compost bin but didn't stick around long enough for a photo.

☆ = New county sighting record

Apr 11 2015

Cheryl Morschauser

Location: private land north of Hwy 64,
Marinette County

First butterly of the season for me.

Eastern Comma

Eastern Comma

Apr 11 2015

Scott Puchalski

Location: Genoa Fish Hatchery
Vernon County

Apr 11 2015

John Davis

Location: my backyard in Prairie du Chien
Crawford County

mids 60', windy, and sunny

Eastern Comma

Eastern Comma

Apr 11 2015

Ron Arnold, Lydia Thurber

Location: my property in the town of Seneca
Wood County

Lots of Wood Frogs calling today.

Apr 12 2015

Sylvia Edlebeck

Location: Pheasant Branch Conservancy, Middleton
Dane County

Always good to see my first Cabbage White of the year.

Apr 12 2015

Mike Reese

Location: Necedah NWR
Juneau County

Also my first Common Green Darner of the year!

Apr 12 2015

Mike Reese

Location: Poygan Lake Wildlife Area, Beechnut Rd. area
Waushara County

There was ice on the calm water when I got there this morning and I was really surprised to see this at 8:55 AM.

Eastern Comma

Eastern Comma

Apr 12 2015

Ron Arnold

Location: my property in the town of Seneca
Wood County

Apr 12 2015

Ryan Brady

Location: Port Wing Boreal Forest SNA
Bayfield County

My first butterfly of year.

Apr 12 2015

Rose Tiegs

Location: Navarino wildlife area
Shawano County

The butterflies were eating on birch sap.

Mourning Cloak

Mourning Cloak

Apr 12 2015

J Brownlee

Location: Pershing Road backyard
Kenosha County

Mourning cloak sunning itself on a concrete bench.

Mourning Cloak

Mourning Cloak

Apr 12 2015

Eric Dreczko

Location: Hayward, WI
Sawyer County

Found two Compton Tortoiseshells in my shoes that I left outside this morning.

Compton Tortoiseshell

Compton Tortoiseshell

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

Apr 12 2015

Jym Mooney

Location: My yard, Milwaukee
Milwaukee County

First butterfly of the year!

Cabbage White

Cabbage White

Apr 12 2015

Scott Puchalski

Location: Goose Island
La Crosse County

Apr 12 2015

Scott Puchalski

Location: Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge
Trempealeau County

Apr 12 2015

Dan Sonnnenberg

Location: Our woods along the marsh
Marquette County

76° Sunny. Saw a female Comma laying eggs on nettles that were barely out of the ground. This is the greatest number of ECs we have seen in our little woods. Saw 13 yesterday with my Father in the same area.

Apr 13 2015

Ryan Chrouser

Location: Otter Creek 44.757111,-91.403568
Eau Claire County

In the shaded ephemeral pond area near the creek. Wouldn't sit long enough for a picture.

Apr 13 2015

Joshua Cullum

Location: Home Area: 42.743144, -89.129426
Rock County

Nice to see the Cabbage Whites back again!

Apr 13 2015

Daniel Jackson

Location: Bike Trail below Sunset Vista Dr, Onalaska
La Crosse County

Apr 14 2015

Ollie Skrivanie

Location: fish creek island view road
Door County

first of the season

Apr 14 2015

Tod Highsmith

Location: Lake Farm County Park
Dane County

Also saw my first two Common Green Darners of the year.

Apr 14 2015

Chris Hillard

Location: Shorewood Nature Preserve Beach
Milwaukee County

Eastern Comma flying around the beach.

Eastern Comma

Eastern Comma

Apr 15 2015

Alex Harmon

Location: Dodgeville Arboretum
Iowa County

Apr 15 2015

Stan Rehm

Location: Nine Springs Golf Course
Dane County

Apr 16 2015

Armund Bartz

Location: Hogback Prairie State Natural Area
Crawford County

A few butterflies noted after completing a prescribed fire. I was very surprised by the swallowtails and the fritillary!

Apr 16 2015

John Davis

Location: my backyard in Prairie du Chien
Crawford County

Sunny and in the 60's, saw my first Eastern Tiger Swallowtail of the year fly thru the yard going west toward the river.

Apr 16 2015

Jay Watson

Location: DNR station in Wautoma
Waushara County

flew across the parking lot

Apr 16 2015

Sylvia Edlebeck

Location: Vilas Park, Madison
Dane County

Cabbage White

Cabbage White

Apr 16 2015

Tim Fenske

Location: City of Middleton yard
Dane County

'Spring' Spring Azure

'Spring' Spring Azure

Apr 16 2015

Mike Reese

Location: Willow Creek Fishery Area, east of County S
Waushara County

I saw some Rock Cress in flower and I was thinking someone would see the first Olympia Marble of the year soon, and then I did!

Apr 16 2015

Ann Thering

Location: Spring Green Preserve
Sauk County

Loads of rock cress and early buttercup in bloom, and a few violets.

Apr 17 2015

Kristin Wegner

Location: Nicolet National Forest, near Scott Lake
Forest County

This beauty circled and landed obligingly right at my feet so I could snap this shot. A splash of warmth against the backdrop of the gray/green landscape.

Gray Comma

Gray Comma

Apr 17 2015

Sylvia Edlebeck

Location: Spring Green Preserve
Sauk County

This was only the second time I've seen Olympia marbles in my life, so what a treat to see so many in one afternoon. Olympia marbles don't tend to stay in one place for very long, so I felt fortunate to get a few photos.

Olympia Marble

Olympia Marble

Olympia Marble

Olympia Marble

Apr 17 2015

Mike Reese

Location: National Forest Rds. 2161& 2158, and Tie Mill Rd.
Florence County

My first comma slam since 2011 and the first Satyr Comma reported in WI since 2012.

Green Comma

Green Comma

Green Comma

Green Comma

Satyr Comma

Satyr Comma

Satyr Comma

Satyr Comma

Apr 17 2015

Kelly Doyle

Location: Greendale Backyard
Milwaukee County

Apr 17 2015

Alex Harmon

Location: UW Madison Campus
Dane County

Apr 17 2015

Stan Rehm

Location: Nine Springs golf course
Dane County

One stopped to rest on my golf ball (a safe place to rest, actually, where he's not likely to get hit).

Apr 17 2015

Tim Fenske

Location: Indian Lake County Park
Dane County

Gray Comma

Gray Comma

Apr 17 2015

Karl and Dorothy Legler

Location: Wrightman Road
Grant County

Nice day for my birthday!

Olympia Marble

Olympia Marble

Apr 18 2015

Randy Powers

Location: Mecan Springs, just east of Coloma
Waushara County

FOR ME: after three attempts this month, First sighting in Wisconsin this year of an active butterfly! Eastern Comma -

Eastern Comma

Eastern Comma

Eastern Comma

Eastern Comma

Apr 18 2015

Joan Vennie

Location: Back yard
Dane County

Mid afternoon. 76 degrees. Cabbage whites attracted to the early violets.

Eastern Comma

Eastern Comma

Eastern Comma

Eastern Comma

Cabbage White

Cabbage White

Apr 18 2015

Jon Rigden

Location: Bluffs near La Crosse
La Crosse County

Seen while hiking half way up Miller Bluff

Apr 18 2015

Aaron Carlson

Location: Quincy Bluff & Wetlands SNA
Adams County

Mostly sunny, 70F. Spring Azure seen near the wetlands W of 14th Ave, the cabbage whites seen near Rattlesnake Mound, which had abundant numbers of Festive and Oblique-Lined Tiger Beetles (ID not 100% sure).

Obliqued-lined Tiger Beetle

Obliqued-lined Tiger Beetle

Festive Tiger Beetle

Festive Tiger Beetle

Festive Tiger Beetle

Festive Tiger Beetle

Festive Tiger Beetle

Festive Tiger Beetle

Apr 18 2015

Mike Reese

Location: Various locations along Brockway Rd.
Jackson County

Well, the butterflies didn't cooperate for photos so I ended up taking some more photos of my favorite early spring flowers. The Trailing Arbutus looks the best I have ever seen it. I think that this is the first Pasque Flower that I have ever seen at Brockway Barrens.

Pasque Flower

Pasque Flower

Trailing Arbutus

Trailing Arbutus

Apr 18 2015

Lester Doyle

Location: Spring Green Preserve
Sauk County

8am-12pm, Sunny and very Windy. Low 60-Low 70's temp. Great to see some many of a Lifer Butterfly with the Olympia Marbles. Lots of Festive and Obliqued-lined Tiger Beetles. One small "Blue" Butterfly, but could not get an ID. Also had a large Ground Beetle called a Fiery Hunter (Callisthenes calidus).

Olympia Marble

Olympia Marble

Fiery Hunter

Fiery Hunter

Obliqued-lined Tiger Beetle

Obliqued-lined Tiger Beetle

Olympia Marble

Olympia Marble

Apr 19 2015

Ryan Brady

Location: My house west of Washburn
Bayfield County

Also saw Festive, Oblique-lined, and Cow Path Tiger Beetles. Site hosts Boreal Long-lipped, N. Barrens, Six-spotted, and Big Sand as well but none appear to be out yet.

Apr 19 2015

Stan Rehm

Location: Grady Tract of the UW Arboretum
Dane County

Apr 19 2015

Alex Harmon

Location: Spring Green SNA
Sauk County

Saw many Oblique-Lined Tiger Beetles, including a mating pair and an ovipositing female. I also saw 3 Festive Tiger Beetles. The sulphur was very small, and I thought it was a little yellow at first. I also saw Randy Powers there, photographing the Olympia Marbles.

Obliqued-lined Tiger Beetle

Obliqued-lined Tiger Beetle

Obliqued-lined Tiger Beetle

Obliqued-lined Tiger Beetle

Apr 19 2015

Randy Powers

Location: Governor Dodge State Park
Iowa County

Afternoon: 2:30 - 4:30: Mostly Sunny & Breezy, clouding over by late afternoon. Eight different sightings for four species. A rare opportunity for me to photograph a Grapevine Day Moth - a real gem. The Marble was not willing to pose!

'Spring' Spring Azure

'Spring' Spring Azure

Cabbage White

Cabbage White

Grapevine Epimenis

Grapevine Epimenis

Gray Comma

Gray Comma

☆ = New county sighting record

Apr 19 2015

Ellen Smith

Location: Oconomowoc Side yard to the East of 420 E Jefferson St
Waukesha County

My first of the year!

Apr 19 2015

Randy Powers

Location: Spring Green Preserve
Sauk County

2Hr visit: Arrive mid morning, with clear & sunny skies, lots of butterfly activity, walk 500 paces, down path and count 110+ Olympia Marbles: in about 45 Minutes, as I now start to take photos, hazy clouds begin to mask the sun, and eventually most of the activity stops. Other than photo's in books - first time I have ever seen this species in the wild.

Olympia Marble

Olympia Marble

Olympia Marble

Olympia Marble

Olympia Marble

Olympia Marble

Apr 23 2015

Stan Rehm

Location: Fitchburg residential butterfly garden
Dane County

The milkweed was first seen yesterday (4/22), which is by two weeks the earliest we have seen it sprout in our garden. I would like to think that the milkweed knows about an early (or large?) influx of Monarchs on their way north. Note one Monarch was seen at the Minnesota zoo on April 17, a month ahead of schedule.

http://bit.ly/first-sightings-1997-2015

http://bit.ly/monarch-early-mn

milkweed

milkweed

Apr 23 2015

Mike Reese

Location: White River Fishery Area, Waushara, off 17th Dr.
Waushara County

My first Cabbage White of the year! Low 50s and sunny.

Apr 24 2015

Dan Sonnenberg

Location: Our yard
Marquette County

63° Partly Sunny "Surprise! Surprise! Surprise!"
American Lady jumped out in front of Doreen and I (and the Ranger) as we were about to take a trip around the fields.

Apr 25 2015

Rick Anderson

Location: Town of Richfield
Adams County

Apr 25 2015

Randy Powers

Location: Chequamegon - Riley Lake Area
Price County

One mile East of Popple Creek rd. - Fr 506 on Gates Lake rd. - Fr 136. 1Pm, 54 degrees, sunny with a few wispy clouds, winds are picking up from early morning, as we warm up. First butterfly photographed on wing by me, North of Hwy 29 this year in Northern Wisconsin woodlands!

Compton Tortoiseshell

Compton Tortoiseshell

Compton Tortoiseshell

Compton Tortoiseshell

Apr 25 2015

Scott and Ann Swengel

Location: Moquah Barrens
Bayfield County

1:00-1:40 pm, mostly sunny, 63-72 degrees F. The Spring Azure was of the marginata form.

Apr 26 2015

Fern Springs

Location: Bauer & Brockway
Jackson County

1-2PM, sunny
First butterflies for the year. Lovely day.

Sleepy Duskywing

Sleepy Duskywing

Olympia Marble

Olympia Marble

Apr 26 2015

Scott and Ann Swengel

Location: Barrens near Brockway and Stanton Roads, Dike 17, and Hwy 54.
Jackson County

Noon-5 pm, 59-69 degrees F, 100% sun, wind N 5-10 mph. We saw no butterflies after 3 PM.

Apr 26 2015

Jim Otto

Location: Spring Green Preserve north of Pearl Road
Sauk County

This was a brief mid-day visit. I was surprised to see the Swallowtail fly by. I was unable to get a photo because it quickly flew onto the neighboring crop land and just kept going.

Olympia Marble

Olympia Marble

Apr 26 2015

Mike Reese

Location: Brockway Rd. several stops
Jackson County

Looking for my first elfin of the year. Found one, but there must of been two because she was laying eggs!

Brown Elfin

Brown Elfin

Apr 26 2015

D Nussbaum

Location: Corner of Harvard and Oakridge
Winnebago County

Broke the ice.

Apr 26 2015

Jim Ebner

Location: lake drive & co. hwy P. Oconomowoc
Waukesha County

in flight near dandilions

Apr 26 2015

Stan Rehm

Location: Falk Wells Sugar River Recreation Area
Dane County

More turtles than BFs today.

Snapping Turtle

Snapping Turtle

Apr 26 2015

Ron Arnold

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

Brown Elfin

Brown Elfin

Apr 26 2015

Bob Ring

Location: My back yard
Calumet County

Apr 26 2015

Ron Arnold

Location: my property in the town of Seneca
Wood County

The American Lady was very tattered, there was just enough left of the hindwing spots for an ID.

Apr 26 2015

Randy Powers

Location: County Forest & Hunting Grounds
Lincoln County

Approximately a nine mile ride down New Wood Road. 2:00-4:00 Pm, Clear Skies, Gusty Winds, 58 degrees. If the strong gusty winds didn't carry flushed butterflies away, they did not accomodate for taking pictures! A great day for a walk, the Grouse are drumming, a Pileated woodpecker calls in the distance! Seven sightings for two species.

'Spring' Spring Azure

'Spring' Spring Azure

'Spring' Spring Azure

'Spring' Spring Azure

'Spring' Spring Azure

'Spring' Spring Azure

Apr 26 2015

Aaron Carlson

Location: Bauer-Brockway Barrens SNA
Jackson County

sunny, 65F. Lots of uncooperative marbles.

Olympia Marble

Olympia Marble

Apr 26 2015

Sylvia Edlebeck

Location: Madison - UW Arboretum, areas near Duck Pond
Dane County

Nice to see a bunch of Cabbage Whites flitting about acting like Cabbage Whites do.

Apr 27 2015

Joan Rickert

Location: back yard, rural Medford
Taylor County

Also had a white butterfly in yard.

Apr 27 2015

Joan Vennie

Location: Festge Park
Dane County

Late afternoon. 71 degrees.

Apr 27 2015

Bob Ring

Location: My yard
Calumet County

Apr 27 2015

Jim Otto

Location: Black River State Forest, Battle Point Road & Dike 17 area
Jackson County

There were not a lot of butterflies flying, but it was a nice day to be out. I also saw two Porcupines, a Blandings Turtle and what I suspect was a courting pair of American Bitterns.

American Bitterns

American Bitterns

Blandings Turtle

Blandings Turtle

Brown Elfin

Brown Elfin

Apr 27 2015

Dan Sonnenberg

Location: Doreens home farm on County T
Marquette County

69 degrees and sunny. Saw a blue that was most likely Silvery (location). Will see him again later this week.

Apr 27 2015

Dan Sonnenberg

Location: S. Shore Drive and Hwy 113
Sauk County

67 degrees and sunny. No Comptons today. 20 minutes early afternoon.

Apr 27 2015

Pam Campbell

Location: A few miles West of Colfax
Dunn County

I was pretty excited to find these today. I could see at least nine in flight. A lifer for me.

Olympia Marble

Olympia Marble

Olympia Marble

Olympia Marble

Olympia Marble

Olympia Marble

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

Apr 28 2015

Lester Doyle

Location: Harmony Grove - Lodi (my neighborhood)
Columbia County

Sunny, around 70, around 5 pm. I've seen a Bullsnake several times this week too, hiding most of the time, but was out doing a late afternoon sunning session a couple of days ago.

Bullsnake

Bullsnake

Bullsnake

Bullsnake

Cabbage White

Cabbage White

Apr 28 2015

Bob Ring

Location: My yard
Calumet County

Apr 28 2015

Ryan Gerlich

Location: Yellowstone State Park
Lafayette County

Sunset, ~62 degrees. Looks like it has recently emerged by the look of the upper right wing.

Black Swallowtail

Black Swallowtail

Apr 28 2015

Matthew Drollinger

Location: Spring Green Preserve
Sauk County

Took the day off work to visit Spring Green (was there for almost six hours). Mostly sunny to partially sunny skies; 60-70 degrees; light wind (4-7mph). In addition to items posted, I saw what appeared to be a Harvester in the wooded portion of the preserve, however I didn't get a photo (took off just as I hit the shutter), there was no water around (that I was aware of), and I am not confident in that assessment. The swallowtail photo is a small portion of a screen shot of a video on my phone - It wouldn't land for a photo.

Olympia Marble

Olympia Marble

Olympia Marble

Olympia Marble

American Lady

American Lady

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail

Festive Tiger Beetle

Festive Tiger Beetle

Apr 28 2015

Alex Harmon

Location: Mineral Point
Iowa County

Apr 28 2015

Scott Swengel

Location: Barrens in and near Mirror Lake State Park
Sauk County

12:58-2:38 PM, 95% sun, 67-74 degrees F, wind variable 2-8 mph.

Apr 29 2015

Aaron Carlson

Location: South Fork Barrens SNA
Eau Claire County

Sunny, 63F.

Eastern Pine Elfin

Eastern Pine Elfin

Olympia Marble

Olympia Marble

Apr 29 2015

Nick Anich

Location: near Halfway Road
Bayfield County

First butterflies I've noticed this year

Eastern Pine Elfin

Eastern Pine Elfin

Apr 29 2015

Ginny Nelson

Location: My yard in Middleton
Dane County

It was just flitting through our back yard.

Apr 29 2015

Randy Powers

Location: Paris Township
Kenosha County

On County trunk N just west of Cty Tk MB. 2PM, Sunny, windy & 64 degrees. In a agri production field, full of annual mustards & dandelions. Six cabbage whites of which I was able to get photo images of at least four of them!

Cabbage White

Cabbage White

Cabbage White

Cabbage White

Apr 30 2015

Kyle Johnson

Location: Oxbow Pond & Barrens
Jackson County

Scoping out new barrens sites- this one looks promising.

Apr 30 2015

Kyle Johnson

Location: Coon Fork Barrens
Eau Claire County

Late afternoon visit- another promising barrens site. More species of moths flying during the day than butterflies, including 1 Infant (Archiearis infans) and the graceful Adela purpurea which dances over willow catkins, looking more like a bee than a moth.

Apr 30 2015

Stan Rehm

Location: Spring Green Preserve
Sauk County

Also one Lady whose spots I could not see.