Butterfly sightings for October 2020

This poor fiery skipper was alive but barely.

While watching hawks in the short hour around noon before rain and hail, I saw 2 migrating Monarchs.

50s, partly sunny, slight breeze

Temperatures were a chilly 50 degrees. All of the butterflies spotted were in sunny locations

Walking on the grassy trail at 1pm Slight breeze. 50 degrees.

50 F, 13:20 - 14:08, 1.32 miles. I know this is a bit lame but I haven't seen any butterflies for quite some time in my daily neighborhood walks.

This has been a huge year for Meadow Fritillaries on my land. Multiple broods with high counts near 100 on several occasions. Several around last week and at least 1 survived the frosts. [New late date by two days. MR]

Sunny, 50 degrees with a strong south wind.

On sunny side of cabin.

I was unloading groceries from my car and this guy came and landed on my leg. It was very content to just hang on for a while!

Incidental while biking

Windy, sunny, 74 degree afternoon.

60s, sunny, slight breeze

65 degrees, sunny, but still windy

65 degrees and sunny but still windy

I watched a huge yellow butterfly, with no markings on it's wings, fly along the bluff tree line. I watched as far as I could see it, hoping it would land, to get a photo. It flew across the entire park, south to north. It was at least twice a large as the Clouded Sulphurs. It flew right past 2 of them for a great size comparison.

Sunny, 73 deg.

Sunny, windy, 70 degree day.

67 degrees but 30 mph wind gusts. Had to use my cellphone to get photos.

Overcast, 70s, gusting winds. Feeding on late blooming Phlox thanks to the deer eating the buds in June.

Hiked for 4 miles on a beautiful day in the 70s and only saw two butterflies!

72 Deg., sunny

60s, very breezy, sunny.

sunny and 70 degrees

Also 1 skipper. It disappeared before I could get a picture or ID.

Another frost last night but Meadow Fritillaries still flying.

Calm day, upper 60s, sunny. I saw a Monarch fly up into my shagbark hickory tree, and then later saw one on the Mexican sunflowers. It could be the same one, but I don't know. I've seen very few Monarchs, or any butterflies, for a couple of weeks.

Sunny 62 degree afternoon. There were more bees and wasps on the asters today than butterflies. Also saw Sandhill Cranes and Mallards by the Yahara River and a small group of Cedar Waxwings eating berries in a tree along the trail.

Windy, sunny and high 70's. All of the butterflies were in an area that was partially protected from the wind. The deep purple New England Asters were definitely the flower of choice. The Monarchs were especially focused on fueling up.

Beautiful October day!

Very warm and windy today!

79 F, SSW wind 13 mph with gusts to 30 mph. There was one butterfly flying low over a mowed path.

mostly sunny, high 70s, windy

sunny, 70s, breezy

60s, mostly sunny, breezy

Warm day. Lots of New England and Heath asters around which the Cabbage Whites and Sulphurs love.

Mostly sunny, 75F, windy (south 15-20mph)

Surprised to see this on my suburban lawn. [Another new late date record for this species! MR]

Sunny 73 degree afternoon.

Saturday afternoon October 10 at 2:30pm. Warm and sunny. I have never seen this species before, I think it is a Checkered White, but would like confirmation from experts. Nectaring on frost aster.

We were surprised to see a beautiful Monarch this gorgeous Fall day. At the school playground with our 2.5 yr old granddaughter who also loves the butterflies and most little creatures. She and I went over to take a picture of this beauty. I suspect it's the last annual generation for this far North.

Overcast, but then it cleared for our walk, 67 deg.

Three Meadow Fritillaries still flying. Nectar sources pretty scarce. [Another new late date for this species! MR]

Still at least 5 Meadow Fritillaries flying. [Another new late date! MR]

Still pretty cool at noon and only 2 butterflies seen. Came back too late and shadows had reached the field.

Mostly sunny, very windy, 60F

Very tickled to see this Milbert’s Tortoiseshell on my flowers during very high winds! Not sure how they manage to stay on the flowers during those conditions.

Nice warm day and I was delighted to find a butterfly yet on my flowers. I thought butterfly season was done for the year already.

windy, mostly sunny, 60s. roadside

Overcast, 58 deg. very windy