Butterfly sightings for June 2021

Many butterflies flying in the area, but few landing. Sunny 70 degree morning.

Beautiful flower garden area, but no butterflies there. All were seen near the entrance and parking lot.

My Backyard, 3 pm on a hanging Basket

Lots of skippers and dragonflies

These butterflies were all feeding in my pollinator gardens

Observations while birding. All before noon. Simply a perfect day.

low 70s, mostly sunny, light breeze

70s, mostly sunny, calm

All photos by Dean Hansen.

Incidental while removing wild parsnips. Spent an hour looking for a Phlox Moth but did not see any.

Known location for Juniper Hairstreak around 6/1.

The Peck's is a first-time recognition in our garden.

This is the latest we have gone in a year before being visited by a Monarch. Our 200+ milkweed plants were feeling lonely.

78 degree, mostly sunny late afternoon.

Mostly sunny 78 degree afternoon.

It was the first one I have seen this year and it only spent a few seconds at the flowers on my deck.

10.7 hours. Long-term monitoring of Karner Blues at 14 sites (50-61 straight broods at about 12 sites and 35-41 straight broods at two sites) and monitoring of Phlox Moths (28 straight years) at about 17 sites (some are Karner monitoring sites too), at which we also counted butterflies. The Karner Blues we saw were 105 males, 20 females, and 3 of undetermined gender. The Frosted Elfin was 150-200 m south-southwest of the Wazee County park entrance in a unit where we also found one on May 11. It is a low year for Phlox Moths here: we only found a total of 6 Phlox Moths at 5 sites today, and 2 moths in 2 sites on May 22.

Sunny with temps in the mid to high 60s. Slight breeze.

Mid 60s and very sunny conditions. A single Red Admiral moving between the path and the trees.

Many Monarchs out flying, several in pairs mating. Sunny, breezy, 76 degree afternoon.

high 70s, mostly sunny, breezy

Mostly sunny, 70s , breezy

First Viceroys.

Looking for an Arctic Skipper or Yellow Bumble Bee. Did not see an Arctic Skipper but found a Yellow Bumble Bee. Also five Bronzed Tiger Beetles and eight Six Spotted Tiger Beetles

Mid 60s temperatures around 9 am.

Beautiful day, before the high heat of the weekend. I expected to see more butterflies. I didn't see any Monarchs, even though the milkweed is plentiful and healthy. It seemed like there were plenty of nectar sources, too. We hiked the prairie and the woodland.

While eating lunch, we watched the Canadian Tiger Swallowtail land in the cedar trees near our cabin. It rested there long enough for us to go outside and get several photos of it. Partly sunny and 73 degrees.

Very abundant throughout NF.

80 deg., sunny

80F at start & ended at 73F; sunny calm,unknown dusky wings 5; unknown skippers 4; Short-lined Chocolate (Argyrostrotis anilis) 1;Toothed Somberwing (Euclidia cuspidea) 1; Broad-lined Erastria Moth (Erastria coloraria) 1.

Incidental while looking for robber flies.

Sunny, 70s light breeze. Walked main path east to woods.

The Giant Swallowtail was west of the road just south of the first bridge in the stream gorge as we walked north from the main Nature Conservancy parking area that is atop a hill just south of the stream gorge.

upper 70s, sunny, breezy

We each walked a different 0.5 mile of roadside at Apache Road and different 0.5 miles of roadside at Archer Road to check for Purplish Coppers. Great Spangled Fritillaries flying today is very early for that species here compared to our past visits. We also saw one unidentified Boloria.

We surveyed a long-term monitoring Karner Blue barrens (about 48 broods counted) and 4 grassland areas. Two patches we chose in order to look for Bronze or Purplish Coppers. We also saw 2 unidentified Bolorias where the Silver-bordered Fritillary was found.

2:20 hours. Five Karner Blue long-term monitoring sites (50-62 broods counted at 4 sites and 35 broods counted at the newest one). Four sites are adjacent to County Highway X and one is inside the fenced Sandhill WA. We also saw an unidentified blue and an unidentified tiger swallowtail. The Gorgone Checkerspot was probably the 1st one we've seen in Wood County in 5+ years.

Large wetland/grassland complex along the Little Menomonee River.

Quick stop before 10:30. The Pink-edged Sulphur was flying around my rear tire and landed for me to get a photo.

Very hot and windy. The heat cut the visit short.

Traveling Survey; Duration: 2 hr, 8 min; Distance: 8 mi.
Sunny, calm until towards the end light breeze; 65F at start & 80F end; unknown dusk wing 2; toothed somberwing 1; Hudsonian whiteface pair mating and 1 female; immature female chalk-fronted corporal 1; lupine in full bloom along with puccoon, prairie phlox, some New Jersey tea.

80s, mostly sunny, breezy

Very hot and sunny. 95 degrees. Most cabbage whites were brand new females.

Saw several Swallowtails fly through the yard today. Finally happened to see one land on one of my flowers, but could only get a photo from a distance. Very hot, sunny 90 degree day.

5 Red Spotted Purples by boat launch

This butterfly was on a lawn chair on our deck.

I've been seeing a couple of these every day the last two weeks. Finally got a half decent photo.

North and south of Oakridge Rd. Bumped into Rory W digging up parsnip from the prairie remnant. Lots of butterflies but few stopped for ID and pictures.

Incidental while removing wild parsnip. First of year Viceroys

On a run I saw one Red-spotted Purple by the Raymer's Cove parking area. It was sunning itself on the gravel. Unfortunately, I didn't have my phone so I couldn't take a photo.

86 deg., clear

At my salvia, nectaring.

The Bog Fritillaries were probably past peak on this fast site for them. Scott thinks that Bog Coppers might emerge at Glocke Lake by June 15.

Near path.

Early 7am to 9am birding

The skippers were in Green Prairie nectaring on Prairie Phlox.

Low 70's, partly cloudy, sometimes gusty - butterflies and dragonflies were staying close to the ground. I walked the east and west prairie loops. One tandem pair of Monarchs.

This is the first time this season I've seen quite a few monarchs in one place. After an early season prescribed burn, the plants at this location are really re-establishing. The common milkweed is in good shape and is about to bloom. Unfortunately, I only had my cell phone with me, so the photos are fuzzy.

Many similar butterflies flitting about.

As usual Black Swallowtails at or near top of hill near parking lot. We have noticed this elevated preference in most places we've seen them.

Viceroys were seen in sedge areas along Jimmy Carter, Co. O, and Stolte Rd. Two Karners were pretty battered. Dusted Skippers were mostly on puccoon blooms. Gravel roads were dry and were not attracting any mineralizing butterflies.

In the Village of Cashton, backyard lilac bush on the north edge of town

Casual observations while pulling Dame's Rocket and other invasives.

(1) Male Northern Crescent. In My Flower Garden sitting on a Gazing Ball, 3:45, 86 Degrees

Saw several blue butterflies, but they were never close enough to identify them. Also saw a painted turtle digging a spot to lay her eggs right near the trail. Partly cloudy and humid 83 degree morning.

Giant Swallowtail

Sunny and warm all afternoon. Several Crescent flitting around and I was able to capture the azure from a distance before it flew away.

Only one specimen at 8:30 am/78 degrees.

Many butterflies similar to LWS.

Incidental while removing Dame's Rocket from SNA.

The Hackberry Emperors are back this year! I had not seen any around my house prior to last year. This year I first starting noticing them around June 8th, but they come out in numbers (30+) every morning now. The flight is perhaps not as big as last year's, possibly due to lack of precipitation, but we'll see how it develops. I got some nice close ups a fellow perched on my hand and thumb. They also seem to love dog feces and crowd it (or furry dog toys, or anything else might contain an excess of dew compared to surrounding plants and surfaces).

Birding on N Torun Rd near Dewey Marsh in northern Portage Co.

Been visiting Door County for 40+ years. Never saw Ringlets until this year. The species was common in the fields just north of the gallery

Skippers on wild irises. Red-spotted purples on damp sand from newly dug well.

On orange hawkweed growing in my lawn. (Guess it's time to mow.)

On a bird study, but couldn't resist doing a little butterflying, and swatching a snapping turtle looking for a place to lay eggs.

Of course I came across this skipper without proper camera equipment and she was partially shaded by the Yarrow flower she was seeking refuge.

The Great Spangled was a surprise.

80s, partly cloudy, slight breeze

High was 91 degrees. Mostly sunny. Not much air movement. Humid. Considering the mild drought we had low expectations. But we had 17 species anyway. Many Silvery Checkerspots. We always enjoy the Jade Clubtail (dragonfly). The concession stand is indefinitely closed (so bring your own ice cream).

Saw another Common Ringlet here; no photo.

Only one Monarch was seen on the property; the others were seen along the access lane. Although there were not many butterflies it was nice to be serenaded most of the way by 5 Dickcissels.

Sunny 88 degree early evening.

Less on the prairie today - was hotter and I got out there later.

Thousands of these at my house

Very warm and muggy morning @ 8:30 am.

Not as many butterflies here as in past weeks but lots of diversity with many FOY’s for me

Also saw about 20 six spotted Tiger Beetles

80s, partly cloudy, slight breeze

These butterflies were feeding in one of my pollinator gardens

Traveling survey; duration 67 minutes, distance 0.88 miles; 93F, sunny, calm.

On Bairds Creek Road - near the entrance to the parking area. Location mostly wooded, partial shade to full sun.

Incidental while gardening.

Very warm and muggy morning a 8:30 am. Not just butterflies but many damselflies, birds, dragonflies and other wildlife.

I stopped here briefly on the way home from Wehr Nature Center native plant sale. It was midday and too hot for me. I only saw 2 butterflies but one was a spectacular Hackberry Emperor.

Grassland area on Lalor Rd south of Madison. Clover in bloom so butterflies were happy.

Many found on Laws Rd, there were some dead fish there.

90's and sunny from 9:30-10:30 and from 1:00-2:15 in a big field. The Great Spangled Fritillary was every where. It was exciting to see so many butterrflies. Red Clover seemed to be the most popular flower for nectar. After lunch it seemed that movement slowed a bit for all the butterflies making photos easier.

Trying to confirm whether Aphrodites Fritillaries were out here, and searching for wetland coppers. We each walked about 2.75 miles in the grassland and 1 separate mile of roadside ROW per person. We also saw 4 unidentified Speyerias, 1 unidentified Boloria, many unidentified crescents, and 10 unidentified grass-skippers.

Trying to confirm whether Aphrodites Fritillaries were out here, and searching for wetland coppers. This is unusually early for Aphrodites in central Wisconsin, but we thought we might see a few of them based on the advanced stage of other butterfly flights. We each walked about 2.5 miles in the grassland and separate 0.5 mile sections of roadside ROW. We also saw many unidentified crescents.

1 Mourning Cloak was very battered. It is probably around 9 months old. One of the RSP had very conspicuous thin white bands.

Very hot. Sightings were confined to the parking lot and two former puddles at the Buffalo Skull tract.

Very hot mid day. A lot of short roadside stops.

Very hot late afternoon

Area marked wetland , stopped mowing 2019.
3 arboretum willow trees. Dragonflies on the move. 10

Sunny hot 84 degree morning.

Very hot and humid 93 degree afternoon. Lots of dragonflies out including the Common Whitetail.

Traveling Survey; Duration: 2 hr, 2 min; Distance: 0.5 miles . 92F, mostly sunny, light breeze; Vicia in ROW; penstemon, fleabane and dog bane in flower but hot dry conditions most floral resources dried up. Also 1 six-spotted tiger beetle (all green); common whitetail and eastern pondhawk dragonflies.

Incidental

Sunny, 74 degree early morning.

Seven Six Spotted Tiger Beetles and three different species of bumblebees.

Common Ringlets were extremely abundant throughout, especially where the trail crosses the main road near the entrance

Driving Co Hwy C from Winkers Ln in the Millville area to Hwy 133 (approximately 6 miles) was 75F, sunny and calm. There were Hackberry Emperor butterflies covering the roads in spots along the whole drive.

Saw three common ringlets in the restored prairie in the lower portion of the park.

Sunny, Slight breeze, 80s

No numbers today. Just butterflies present

Warm partly cloudy, rain earlier. sudden drop in temp and thick fog put an end to butterflying.

93 degrees, partly cloudy. Quick stops along some of my favorite country roads.

Birding the eastern side of the road.

Early morning before 10am, hot, humid, with a slight breeze. Could count up to 12 Hackberry Emperors on the side of the house with more in the garden beds

Very large swallow tail butterfly feeding on flowers at waterfront house on the Black River near DNR owned property with lots of prickly ash.

Sunny, hot late afternoon.

Lots of butterfly activity on the wildflowers, especially in our fields. Also saw a hummingbird moth. Sunny 80 degree afternoon.

Seen in the backyard in the garden.

Lots of butterflies on the wing, including several tiger swallowtails, crescents and satyrs that were too frenetic to ID with confidence, much less photograph.

Breezy, 70 degree morning.

First sighting of the year! It was a small Monarch. Hitting my Orange Gerbera Daisies.

Lots of Hackberry Emperors on the sunny side of the house yesterday and today. I counted 11 this morning. The one in the picture is sitting in my turnips.

Incidental sighting, as I walked by my pollinator garden this butterfly was enjoying the flowers.

Hot and partly cloudy. Lots of Ebony Jewelwings and American Rubyspots on the pier.

I believe this is the most Baltimores I have seen in one day. They were just out patrolling and would not sit for a good picture. Also saw two Six Spotted Tiger Beetles. Incidental while biking and bird watching.

89 degrees. Some rain puddles but very limited butterflies. Only got half way through our route when blocked by fallen tree. 10 species plus Clay-colored Sparrow and Bell's Vireo.

Just on the wooded side of the road.

2 Red-spotted Purples fluttering on trunk of a tree within lower branches 10' up.

Saw one yesterday and one today. I need a good camera.

Goal today was finding Silvery Blues, a species I haven't seen since my sighting here on June 20, 2006. Mission accomplished!

Monarchs were everywhere. Saw at least a dozen mated pairs.

Partly sunny 80 degree day.

Birding - the Copper was on Elm Rd just south of W and the Purple was on Swamp.

From the Larson trailhead south 1.5 miles.

One of our Bog Fritillary long-term monitoring sites. The Brown Elfin and the checkerspot were on the bog; the other butterflies were in the shrub-savanna as we exited the bog.

One of our Bog Fritillary long-term monitoring sites.

This butterfly was on the ground near my pollinator garden.

East path off Lalor Ln. Lots of clover in bloom.

Most species were in the main parking lot. Sunny & hot morning.

~15 mile stretch. Retraced some of my Amberg BBS route. 1000-1345

1/2 hour. We also saw at least 14 unidentified crescents/checkerspots.

At a gas station north of Amery, WI.

0.5 miles east of Forest Road 137 on the south side of Hwy 70. One of our Bog Fritillary monitoring sites. We surveyed the roadsides and the bog. Both of the butterflies were on the bog.