Butterfly sightings for July 2019

This is going to be quite a week for Monarchs for us. Last week we had 6 eclose and fly away. By midday today 11 more had eclosed, some of whom are still hardening their wings. And we have about 45 more waiting in their chrysalises; they will probably eclose by the end of this week. But no new eggs in the garden for days now. Hopefully the next generation will get started ovipositing soon.

Conducted by Southern Wisconsin Butterfly Association. This was the 31st annual Mud Lake count. 5 people counted within a 15-mile diameter circle for a total of 12.5 hours. We began with light rain but unexpectedly the sky cleared up and became sunny! Temperature up to 85 degrees. 396 individuals of 28 species were found. Numbers were about average but species were below average. Individuals were inflated by a few species with unusually high count: American Lady was highest of last 25 years; Red Admiral was 3rd highest in 31 years; Least Skipper and Pearl/Northern Crescent were the highest in 31 years. Finally, we re-found on this count, the Karner Blue originally found and reported by Lester Doyle! (Count information from Goose Pond will be added in when we receive it.) Thanks to all the counters! Bronze Copper and N Crescent photos by Jim Otto. Rest by Karl Legler.

There is a good chance this very fresh American Lady was once one of the caterpillars I saw on my pussytoes. Plant it and they will come!

(Note: The Painted Lady has the small white marks that are usually seen on the American Lady. This is the first time I have ever seen them on a Painted Lady! Mike)

Warm, sunny and humid. Since my camera is still broken, I had to carefully crawl up to some of the butterflies to take a photo with my cell phone. The Red-spotted Purple was on the beach.

Meadowhawk (Sympetrum sp.)

Silver spotted skipper.

Around noon on a hot sunny and humid day.

Two cabbage whites were flying in circles (dancing) and the other two were visiting all the flowers in the garden. Mid-afternoon, very hot and humid.

Just a short stop, but Little Yellow was a nice surprise!

No sunflowers yet, but the Red Admirals were enjoying the prairies.

Very hot and muggy around noon.

Lake is 1/2 mile south of Temple Lake.

Visited about 3pm. Hot and humid and sunny. Storm drove me out after about 45 minutes. Lots of Ctenucha virginica and Haploa moths (got a photo of a Haploa reversa. Strong breezes made it difficult to see the butterflies well. They didn't want to settle so many went un-counted.

Although I have seen a few Eyed Brown nectaring, this was the first time I have ever seen an Appalachian Brown nectaring.

It was overcast and drizzling for part of the day. Temp was in the 70s

Today I spotted 4 Red Admiral butterflies perching on the lemon thyme plant in our garden. Time of day was approximately 2pm. Temperature was 75 degrees F, 74% humidity.

Scouting for my upcoming NABA count, looking to find out if there are any Karner Blues or Common Ringlets left.

A scouting trip for the July 4 SWBA dragonflies/butterflies field trip. Also saw 9 spp. of dragonflies.

Warm, humid, hazy sun. Besides the butterflies had a Greyish Fan-Foot moth. Tried out my new camera today. Nice sharp photos except the out-of-focus Least Skipper. The American Lady had a torn rear wing.

11 more eclosed today. We have found that a thistle feeder in direct sunlight makes a perfect staging place for final wing-hardening and battery-charging before departure.

Walk in Powell Marsh starting at Vista Flowage parking area and continuing to the path along Homestead Lake - and back.

32 species and 285 individuals. This is very close to my lowest numbers for all 29 years for this count. The Common Ringlets that I saw yesterday were absent today, but the Checkered White sighting made up for it. Hairstreaks and Skippers had very low numbers, but all individuals were fresh and they may be just at the beginning of their flights. The swans are Trumpeters, and they paid little attention to me.

All sightings between 11-3:30. Weather was between 75-88 degrees.

Saw multiples of each species pictured here including Monarchs which were not photographed.

Incidental observations while atlasing

Found during a late morning walk along my driveway.

Trail from Clark to Park St.

It was a very humid, hot day with temps near 90 degrees. There was a slight-moderate breeze.

Many copper butterflies; stopped counting Bog Coppers after ID'ing 10 perched bright males. We were not as confident with Dorcas and others. Many cranberry flowers and some Marsh Cinquefoil. Roadside of grasses and Spreading Dogbane (Apocynum androsaemifolium). Many Dorcas chasing and nectaring among the dogbane.

Seen on grasses in my native garden.

No Coppers and few cranberry plants seen at this bog only about 3mi from bog lake visited just prior today. Robber Fly (Asilus sericeus) "hugging" European Skipper? This dragonfly (American Emerald - Cordulia shurtleffli?) patrolled around us most of the time, feasting on the fattened deer flies feasting on us!

Mid-morning, high 70's. Milkweed and thistles in bloom. Pleased to find the Banded Hairstreaks.

I've also been watching and listening to a Black-billed Cuckoo for several days.

Primarily a birding trip, but saw a few butterflies once it warmed up a bit. Lots of Monarchs floating about and visiting the milkweed patches. Pat has photos of some species.

Spruce Road just off Cty Trk-H. 10:30am-1:30pm, 74 degrees, windy, trying to cloud over but sun persists. Sixteen butterfly species observed. In search of the Dorcas Copper. Found Purplish instead!

I saw at least 8-10, among even more northern crescents. Most were nectaring on blackberry.

Gates Lk Rd west of Sailer Lk Rd. More clouds less sun, 68 degrees winds stronger. 1:45pm-3:45pm.
Note the Milberts Tortoise nailed by a Goldenrod Crab Spider. Its holiday feast meal! Found one Dorcas!

Southern Wisconsin Butterfly Association field trip. 26 participants. 20 species. 11 species of dragonfly. Great fun!

Not a whole lot of luck in the butterfly garden this afternoon. Did meet a Great Black Digger Wasp hunting for prey in the garden. Hope it doesn't eat all the Monarch caterpillars.

I found a Black Swallowtail caterpillar on my dill plants. I have a lot of Monarchs but I have not see a Black Swallowtail Butterfly, so this was a great find for me.

Butterflies were enjoying the nectar of the Sweet William flowers blooming near our cabin. Early 82 degree sunny afternoon.

One of the milkweed patches on our property in Winter, WI. Milkweed is the healthiest it's been in years. So nice to see Monarchs flying all over our property.

Incidental observations while atlasing

Late Afternoon.

Also about 30 Ghost, 2 Festive, and 1 Big Sand Tiger Beetles (which were my primary focus).

Gates Lk Rd from Popple Creek to closed Riley Lk Rd. Approximately two mile stretch. 78 degrees, very humid, much vegetation still wet from last nights rain. 95% cloud cover - 12 noon to 2pm.

All before noon so cool temps. The Hairstreaks flattened themselves on the Oak leaf for more warmth. Difficult to see, but I think Banded.

11-1pm Sunny, hot and humid, 88 degrees.

Overcast early afternoon

Temps near 80, very humid. The most Painted Ladies I've seen at once. Also, one Tiger Swallowtail.

Basswood is in full bloom

Upper 80's.

Upper 80's. Mid-afternoon. Numerous Ebony Jewelwings.

4:30-5 pm. The Monarchs were very active chasing each other, then Red Admirals chased the Monarchs.

Gates Lk Rd south from closed Riley Lk Rd to Fr-131"Sheep Ranch"
82 humid degrees, clouds all but gone, less wind, 2Pm-4Pm
No opportunities today for finding Copper butterflies! Saw both a Hummingbird & Snowberry Clearwing day moths this afternoon.

roadside

roadside

roadside, partly cloudy, 80s

roadside

early afternoon

Watched several Monarch caterpillars devouring milkweed in a small patch at the end of our cabin driveway. Dozens of skippers on flowers throughout our property and many Monarchs flying from one milkweed patch to another throughout the day.

The Monarchs and Red admirals very active again this evening!

Late afternoon

Looking for female Greenish Blues, but only saw four males.

On gravel near parking area with a group of Eastern Tailed-Blues

Bark Bay, Lost Creek, and Port Wing Boreal Forest West, and another Port Wing bog. We thought the Bog Fritillary flight would still be going but the flight virtually wasn't detectable on these bogs this year. The Bog Coppers were on a Port Wing bog that usually has the slowest phenology of any bog that we survey.

Incidental while atlasing

14 hopeful participants showed up this gloomy morning. After a slow start we were rewarded with sunshine and butterflies. Several flowages were surveyed along with some wooded areas. Highlights for the participants included the skippers and hairstreaks along with the Bronze Coppers and Harris' Checkerspots. After the trip ended, a few of us traveled to a nearby bog and managed to find a single Bog Copper. Photos of the Harris' Checkerspot are courtesy of Sylvia Barbarich.

Same sites as June 21, but we surveyed the Bear and North Bear bog roadsides this time. Bog Coppers were confined to the two fastest sites at Moose Junction. We found Dorcas Coppers at 6 bogs. Jutta Arctics were at Milchesky 1.15, North Bear (2), and Bear.

Conducted by Southern Wisconsin Butterfly Association using binoculars. 8 counters counted for 21.2 party-hours and found 509 butterflies of 34 species. Monarchs were highest ever presumably because of plentiful milkweed. Scarce species found were Gray Hairstreak and the very rare stray, the Reakirt's Blue. Photo of Hickory and Reakirts below by Karl Legler, Reakirt's above and Gray Hairstreak by Pat Ready. The other two photos by Edgar Spalding.
Thanks to all the counters for an outstanding count!

Sunny and in the 70's.

roadside

Along the wooded path behind the pond.

Many Coppers flitting about; could only ID Bog Coppers but did not ID easily more than 100. Many flowering cranberries (probably both species - Vaccinium macrocarpon & oxycoccos) and Marsh Cinquefoils. Female & Male Elfin Skimmers - Special Concern (Nannothemis bella).

We saw 3 Dorcas Coppers on the bog and one in one of two short roadside draws fronting the bog.

Wishbone (or "Rainbow") Lake northwest and southeast bogs, Roger Lake, and Crane Lake. We saw 1 Bog Copper at Roger Lake and 41 at the two Wishbone Lake sites. After seeing no Dorcas Coppers for about the first 20 years of surveying Wishbone Lake, we've now found the species 3 years in a row there.

Observed doing breeding bird atlasing

Just west of the junction of County Hwy GG and County Hwy M. Surveyed the National Forest part plus the roadsides. The Dorcas Coppers were on the roadside both north and south of County M.

Incidental while removing wild parsnips from the SNA

Pond at the end of 12th Street, on the west edge, perching on Canadian thistle.

I had never seen a butterfly like this before, certainly not in my front garden. I’m grateful it stuck around long enough for me to get its picture.

We saw many butterflies on our long hike through the conservancy. This location provides prairie, oak savanna, and woods so there was a wide variety. The abundance of diverse native species also provides many nectar sources.

Quick walk around the prairie planting. Calm, 80F, hazy sun cause of wildfires smoke.

Sunny, mid-70's, morning walk on a wooded portion of the bike trail. The Hairstreaks were searching out the sunlit spots in the foliage. I was unable to ID another 6+ flying around a tall elderberry bush. Impossible to get any pictures.

Incidental while gardening

Butterflies were found mainly in parking areas.

Sunny, 70s. Most butterflies were found near the puddles in the roads
Also spotted some unidentifiable sulphurs, fritillaries, and ladies

Sunny, 70s. Most butterflies were on or near the gravel roadway.

Beautiful sunny day with lots of butterflies flying in the area.

A strange year, with numerous butterflies counted for the first time, like Juvenal's and Northern Cloudywing. Our data confirms the popular belief that 2019 is running later than most years phenologically. Also, where did all the Silver-spotted Skippers hide in previous years? 11 counters!! Thanks to all who came, saw, and counted.

I immediately felt this was a special sighting. It was also photographed later in the herb garden area!

Monarchs were easily the most common (or perhaps most easily observable) butterfly species. Also saw a pair of Whooping Cranes and many Red-headed Woodpeckers.

Found this Appalachian Brown hanging on my patio glass door.

90 degree afternoon. Very sunny and hot and humid.

is on the house gutter...shaded area that made pic difficult.

The Zebra covers a lot of ground. I saw it in the wetland area, the herb garden, and outside the grounds on Monona Drive. So be patient if you want to see it. It seemed to like Verbena bonariensis.

Surveyed from 1:15-4:00; very hot, humid day; recorded temp of 87 degrees; looked around buildings, then pond, restored prairies, fen, oak woodland; amazing amount of Monarchs

Counters were Karl & Dorothy Legler, Al Sheldon and Pat Schmid. We put in 7.3 hours of observation with binoculars. Hindered by more overcast skies than were forecast. We found 193 individuals of 31 species. Monarchs had the hightest density of the 30 years. There was quite a lot of milkweed on refuges. We found no Anglewings for the 1st time in 30 years. Photos by Dorothy.

Seen while birding WI BB Atlas block Menomonie South NW. All before 1pm. Also one Tiger Swallowtail.

In sedge meadow & wet prairie area

Five mated pairs of Monarchs

Found a Hickory Hairstreak, sipping on parsley, approximately 8:30 am, in my front yard.

What a great afternoon for butterflies! I walked around the lower prairie and tree line on the east side of the upper prairie. Everything was seen in these areas. 130-430pm, sunny and hot. Sorry for the camera phone photos, I didn't have time to go through them yesterday.

Monarchs are drifting along the lakeshore.

In a wetland area near the creek with tall sedges and willows. Terrible photos - from my phone. I went back with a camera, but couldn't find it.

Beautiful breezy morning. 75 and sunny.

Bogs on Lost Land Lake Road (bog surveyed) and on Wilderness Road 2.3 miles west of County Hwy GG (only the roadside surveyed, not the bog). The Dorcas Coppers were at the Wilderness Road bog, and the Bog Coppers on ht giant kettlehole east of Lost land Lake Road.

This one butterfly was the only one of it's kind.

In my mom's backyard.

Also, I included a photo of a Monarch ovipositing on common milkweed which is a first for me in terms of captures. :)

Pushing Dexter in the stroller. Saw the Pecks and attempted to use my phone for a photo but it flushed and I couldn’t relocate it.

On a driving/walking trip through the grasslands.

Hot , windy afternoon.

Several monarchs flying in the yard and stopping at the milkweed, lily buds, and coneflowers throughout the afternoon.

Bright sunny day with temps near 80 degrees. I have never seen so many Fritillaries as I did today. They were everywhere!