wisconsinbutterflies.org | Butterfly sightings

Aug1

Thonas Schultz
Location: My home in the town of Brooklyn.
Green Lake County

Aug1

Mike Reese
Location: several areas in western part of the county
Waushara County
Hiked a part of the Ice Age Trail that I had never been on before. The Karner Blues are the first I have seen this year from the second generation in Waushara County.

Aug1

Tom Poklen
Location: Ridges Sanctuary
Door County

Aug2

Jorgen Goderstad
Location: Home (south Madison & near Oregon (Fitchburg)
Dane County
2 of the monarchs were near home, the rest of sightings were near Oregon where I have a garden plot.

Aug2

Craig Ellefson
Location: Decatur Lake Boat Launch near Brodhead
Green County
This includes the gravel trail by the boat landing.

Aug2

Dave Hanson, Mike Reese
Location: Buena Vista Marsh
Portage County

Aug2

Mike Reese
Location: Emmons Creek Fishery Area
Portage County
Edward’s Hairstreak was a surprise and it wasnt’ all that worn.

Aug2

Sharon Morgan
Location: Town of Menasha, in my front flower bed
Winnebago County
This poor thing looks like he has been through a lot..holes and tattered.

Red-spotted Admiral (1)

Aug2

Ryan Brady
Location: Chequamegon National Forest southeast of Grand View
Bayfield County
Not many individuals but 26 species overall. Highlight was my first-ever SILVER-SPOTTED SKIPPER here in far northern Wisconsin (alas, no photo).

Aug3

Craig Ellefson
Location: Muralt Bluff SNA near Albany
Green County

Aug3

Wayne Anderson
Location: Peterson Creek Fishing Area
Portage County
The Swamp Thistle are looking spectacular in the wet meadows between the woods and stream. Poor numbers of butterflies on a two hour hike. Otter seen by the creek, Haploa Moths still flying, found one Macaria oweni in the woods (new moth species for me).

Aug3

Wayne Anderson
Location: Buena Vista
Portage County
Started clouding up as I arrived, fair amount of wind. Only stayed 1/2 hour.

Aug3

Ryan Brady
Location: Chequamegon National Forest southeast of Grand View
Bayfield County
Three species observed today that I didn’t see yesterday…

Aug3

Ron Arnold
Location: my property in the town of Seneca
Wood County
It clouded up soon after I went out. I believe that the Viceroy is the first butterfly that I’ve seen nectaring on Rattlesnake Master.

Aug3

Sharon Morgan
Location: Town of Menasha in my back yard flower bed
Winnebago County
It was pretty windy and hard to get a picture of the Monarch because he was sitting on a butterfly bush flower and it was moving all over…he looked liked he didn’t mind the ride. The Red-spotted Purple was here the day before in the front flower bed.

Aug4

Judith Huf
Location: Schlitz Audubon Nature Center
Milwaukee County
Too humid to stay out long. Small list despite the beautiful summer flowers.

Aug4

Michael
Location: 1400 block of east main street, Madison; VERY urban area
Dane County
Red Admiral was perched on outside cover to air conditioner. Red Spotted Purple was perched on a black plastic trash bad which covers a pair of rabbit ears tv antenna. Both sited inside of a one hour period, and a day when it had been extremely stormy, during a tornado watch.

Red Admiral (1)
Red-spotted Purple (1)

Aug4

Joan Braune
Location: Olbrich Gardens
Dane County
Also saw my first Great Spreadwing of the season.

Aug4

Jorgen Goderstad
Location: 9 springs Eway, sanitation ponds
Dane County
I had better success bird watching. I saw 7 to 9 sandhill cranes, 2 great blue herons, and a yellow headed blackbird.

Aug5

Natalie Serna
Location: Pell Lake, WI
Walworth County
Feeding on my Cosmos in the garden

Giant Swallowtail (1)

Aug5

Ann Thering
Location: UW Arboretum
Dane County

Aug5

Ann Thering
Location: Black Earth R. Prairie area
Dane County

Aug5

Ron Arnold
Location: my property in the town of Seneca
Wood County
Everything but the Monarch was seen this evening in my Oregano patch. There are thistles and blazing stars blossoming nearby, but they are practically ignored by the butterflies.

Aug5

Thomas Schultz
Location: White River Marsh — along Dead End Rd. (off Hwy. D, north of Princeton)
Green Lake County
One of the Giant Swallowtails was found dead on Hwy. D., and one of the Red-spotted Purples appeared to be a hybrid — with a white bar across each forewing.

Aug5

Mike Reese
Location: Greenwood Refuge
Waushara County
After last year’s Red Admiral abundance it seems strange that my best butterfly today was a Red Admiral.

Aug5

Jorgen Goderstad
Location: Black Earth and Vermont Township (Western Dane Co.)
Dane County
Most were sighted at Vermont Lutheran Church cemetery, but the orange sulphur was seen in Black Earth.

Aug5

Judith Huf
Location: Bong Recreation Area
Kenosha County
Lovely day, lovely flowers.

Aug6

Mike Reese
Location: Sandhill Wildlife Area
Wood County
Rained several times but had a couple of hours between the drops to see a few things. Attached is an additional hairstreak that was so worn that it was unidentifiable, but it still flew away!

Aug6

Ryan Brady
Location: Tyler Forks Muskeg south of Shirley Lake
Iron County
Most of the coppers were quite worn. Also had a nice Dragonhunter.

Bog Copper (20)

Aug7

Sharon Morgan
Location: Town of Menasha home, my side yard flower bed
Winnebago County
The cabbage whites are so fast compared to the Monarch who like to take their time and enjoy the flowers in my yard

Cabbage White (1)
Monarch (1)

Aug7

Mike Reese
Location: Spring Green Preserve
Sauk County
Lots of Wandering Gliders.

Aug7

Mike Reese
Location: Avoca Wildlife Area
Iowa County

Aug7

Dave Hanson, David Bratley
Location: various locations
Douglas County

Aug8

Judith Huf
Location: Schlitz Audubon Nature Center
Milwaukee County

Aug8

Sharon Morgan
Location: Town of Menasha flower bed
Winnebago County
Most of the butterflies that I find in my flower gardens enjoy the purple coneflowers.

Aug8

Jorgen Goderstad
Location: 9 springs E-way near Madison
Dane County
Also spotted indigo buntings, 1 male, 2 females. Only the male is the vivid blue.

Aug8

Mike Reese
Location: several areas including Baxter Lane and Blue River SNAs
Grant County
I finally made it to the Baxter Lane area to see the rattlesnakes that Todd Sima saw there on June 28, 2007.
http://www.wisconsinbutterflies.org/butterflies/sightings/697

They are still there!

Aug8

Ron Arnold
Location: my property in the town of Seneca
Wood County
It’s my son’s wedding day, so I only had about 10 minutes to spend on butterfly watching.

Aug9

Wayne Anderson
Location: Peterson Creek Fishing Area
Portage County
Elderberry Longhorn flying in the wet meadow was a highlight of the morning.

Aug9

Rose Tiegs
Location: Buzz Besadny Fishery Kewaunee,wi.
Kewaunee County

Aug9

Jorgen Goderstad
Location: Fitchburg, near County D & M
Dane County

Aug9

Craig Ellefson
Location: Muralt Bluff SNA near Albany
Green County

Aug9

Craig Ellefson
Location: Decatur Lake boat landing near Brodhead
Green County

Aug9

Ryan Brady
Location: Chequamegon National Forest southeast of Grand View
Bayfield County
Mostly sunny but barely in 70’s and north winds ~15 mph. Lots of nectar sources but fewer butterflies than last weekend.

Aug9

SWBA Field Trip: 14 participants
Location: Avoca Wildlife Area
Iowa County
We stopped at three areas in Avoca and also the Blue River Sand Barrens SNA where we did see an American Lady.

Aug9

Judith Huf
Location: WE Energies property near St. Francis Woods
Milwaukee County
This open sunny meadow has many beautiful native prairie flowers but is heavily infested in the center with clovers and alfalfa, which accounts for the large number of Orange Sulphurs.

Aug10

Andy Paulios
Location:
Pierce County

Giant Swallowtail (2)

Aug10

Judith Huf
Location: Havenwoods State Forest
Milwaukee County
Cabbage Whites were everywhere. Besides the butterflies, I also saw a Snowberry Clearwing moth feeding from a Swamp Milkweed.

Aug10

Ann Thering
Location: Back Yard
Dane County

Aug10

Craig Ellefson
Location: Magnolia Bluff County Park
Rock County
I spent well over an hour walking around and only saw this one butterfly.

Great Spangled Fritillary (1)

Aug10

Sharon Morgan
Location: Town of Menasha home, in my flower gardens
Winnebago County
He went from coneflower to coneflower around the garden…

Painted Lady (1)
Monarch (2)

Aug10

Peter Fissel
Location: Lake Mills Wildlife Area - Zeloski Marsh
Jefferson County
Surprised to see only the one Red Admiral - at about the same time last year at this location, there were hundreds.

Aug10

Ryan Brady
Location: Chequamegon National Forest southeast of Grand View
Bayfield County
Overnight lows in the upper 30’s. Slim pickings despite sunshine and warm-up into 70’s.

Aug10

Dave Hanson, David Bratley
Location: 2 mile stretch of Brink’s Road
Bayfield County

Aug10

Jeanette Klodzen
Location: Muralt Bluff Prairie State Natural Area
Green County

Aug10

Ron Arnold
Location: my property in the town of Seneca
Wood County
The Red-spotted Purple had partial white stripes on its forewings.

Aug11

Rich Gillard
Location: downtown Milwaukee
Milwaukee County
Black-form female near the Amtrak station and 2 blocks from the Milwaukee River

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (1)

Aug11

Ann Thering
Location: Walking Iron
Dane County

Aug11

Mike Reese
Location: Wazee area
Jackson County
Lots of Liatris in flower. Not much nectaring on it yet.

Aug11

Ann Thering
Location: Schurch Thompson
Iowa County

Aug13

Ann Thering
Location: Back Yard
Dane County

Aug13

Ron Arnold
Location: my property in the town of Seneca
Wood County
It was getting late when I was out today.

Aug13

Jorgen Goderstad
Location: 9 Srpings Eway, sanitation ponds
Dane County
2 of the tiger swallowtails were seen elsewhere in Madison.

Aug14

Mike Reese
Location: Emmons Creek Fishery Area
Portage County
Mostly cloudy until about 4:00 and then the Karner Blues started perching and feeding on dotted horsemint, the first I had seen them nectar on this plant.

Aug15

Sandra L. Hudson
Location: Freedom Park Prescott WI Pierce County
Pierce County
Butterflies drawn to newly installed butterfly garden.

Giant Swallowtail (1)
Hackberry Emperor (1)

Aug15

Ann Thering
Location: Back Yard
Dane County

Aug15

Mike Reese
Location: Rocky Run Oak Savanna SNA
Columbia County
Lots of sulphurs but little else. Photo is of a small fly I have never seen before.

Aug15

Mike Reese
Location: Lodi Marsh SNA
Dane County

Aug15

Ryan Brady
Location: 2 mile stretch of Brink’s Road
Bayfield County
Same location as D. Hanson and D. Bratley on Aug 10.

Aug15

JEFF MROCZEK
Location: Dundee,Kettle Moraine Lake
Fond Du Lac County

Giant Swallowtail (2)

Aug15

JEFF MROCZEK
Location: DUNDEE, KETTLE MORAINE LAKE
Fond Du Lac County

Monarch (1)

Aug16

Rose Tiegs
Location: Navarino wildlife area,Navarino,wi
Shawano County

Aug16

Ann Thering and Dave Eide
Location: Muralt Bluff SNA
Green County
A fair amount of dwarf blazing star in bloom and rough blazing star was just starting. Also stopped by the Ice Age trail near Belleville…plenty of ripe blackberries (really good!) and mosquitoes (really bad!), but not so many butterflies.

Aug16

Craig Ellefson
Location: Cook Arboretum
Rock County
Just stayed around the parking lot on the south end.

Aug16

Craig Ellefson
Location: Decatur Lake boat launch near Brodhead
Green County

Aug16

Mary Stein
Location: garden
Waukesha County

Giant Swallowtail (1)

Aug16

Wayne Anderson
Location: Newport State Park
Door County
Went out in search of tiger beetles on some of the sandy beaches in Door County. Found four species out and about Cicindela punctulata, C.repanda. C.hirticollis rhodensis and C. doudecimguttata. The rhodensis where common and found with complete maculations to no markings. Also Stictoleptura canadensis (a black and red longhorn)a real nice surprise.

Aug16

Mike Reese
Location: Petenwell Dam area
Juneau County
Little Wood-Satyr is late for the central part of the state.

Aug16

Tod Highsmith
Location: Princes Point SWA near Hebron, off Frommader Rd.
Jefferson County
I was amazed this Great Spangled Fritillary could still fly. Also saw several Lance-tipped Darners.

Aug17

Dave
Location: Valders,in garden,on anise hyssop
Manitowoc County

Giant Swallowtail (1)

Aug17

Kathryn Bishop
Location: My backyard
Chippewa County
I captured this picture of a Giant Swallowtail on my butterfly bush in my backyard. It was a beautiful sunny afternoon treat. I get a lot of attention from different butterflies on that bush but this is the first time I’ve been visited by a swallowtail.

Giant Swallowtail (1)

Aug17

Craig Ellefson
Location: Muralt Bluff SNA
Green County
Found the Hackberry sitting on the hood of my car waiting for me when I got back to the parking lot.

Aug17

Craig Ellefson
Location: Decatur Lake boat launch
Green County

Aug17

Rose Tiegs
Location: Emmons Creek Iceage Trail. Hartman segment.
Portage County
Nice area, Two swallowtails ,the female was black, neither would pose for a picture.

Aug17

Adrian Konell
Location: Lake Township
Marinette County

Aug17

Ryan Brady
Location: Chequamegon National Forest southeast of Grand View
Bayfield County
Butterfly numbers way down. Had a nice Zebra Clubtail though.

Aug17

Ryan Brady
Location: Taylor Lane north of Grand View
Bayfield County

Aug17

Mike Reese
Location: Wedde Creek Fishery Area
Marquette County

Aug17

Mike Reese
Location: Chafee Creek south of Coloma
Waushara County
Lots of blazing star but little nectaring on it. The only Leonard’s Skipper I saw was on the ground. The Northern Broken-Dash was fairly fresh.

Aug17

Jorgen Goderstad
Location: Lake Farm Park on Lake Waubesa
Dane County

Aug18

Jorgen Goderstad
Location: Fitchburg
Dane County
The butterflies were attracted to my garden plot near Oregon. They especially like the zinnias.

Aug18

Ann Thering
Location: Olbrich Botanical Gardens
Dane County
Also saw a Julia, an escapee from the captive butterfly event at Olbrich this summer.

Aug18

Mike Reese
Location: Sandhill Wildlife Area
Wood County
The photos are of butterflies and odes caught in spoon-leaf sundews. Those sundews are real predators!

Aug19

Molly Fifield-Murray
Location: UW-Madison Arboretum
Dane County

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (1)

Aug19

Mike Reese
Location: Germania Marsh
Marquette County
First Mustard White that I have seen in August.

Aug19

Kathryn Bishop
Location: My backyard in Chippewa Falls
Chippewa County
I found this Red Admiral on my deck attached to my solar lighthouse that I made out of flower pots. It was very still so I was able to get close for a photo.

Red Admiral (1)

Aug19

Adrian Konell
Location: Lake Township
Marinette County

Aug19

Ann Thering
Location: Spring Green Preserve
Sauk County
Finally the Leonard’s Skippers are out at SGP! The rough blazing star is just barely starting to bloom. The robberflies were busy: saw one who had caught a huge grasshopper and another with a bumblebee breakfast.

Aug19

Jorgen Goderstad
Location: UW Arboretum
Dane County
The swallowtails and fritillary really liked the thistle flowers and it was fun to get in close and observe their feeding.

Aug20

Sharon Morgan
Location: Town of Menasha home, in my flower garden
Winnebago County
He was very fast moving in the garden…he went from plant to plant…

Silvery Checkerspot (1)

Aug20

Adrian Konell
Location: Lake Township
Marinette County

Aug20

Mike Reese
Location: Wazee area
Jackson County
Karner Blues are still fairly fresh.

Aug21

Tod Highsmith
Location: Cherokee Marsh, north end of Sherman Ave., Madison
Dane County
Lots of thistle and joe-pye and other blossoms, but surprisingly little butterfly activity — maybe it wasn’t sunny enough? The water snake was a fun find ? if you look closely, you can see an engorged mosquito on its head.

Aug21

Dan and Mary Fisher
Location: Lowes Creek Road (wildflowers)
Eau Claire County
We reported one earlier this summer. It was new to us. It’s (could be more than one) back now for the last week or so.

Giant Swallowtail (1)

Aug22

Cathy Burrell
Location: Paddock Lake, WI
Kenosha County
I caught this Giant Swallowtail visiting my home garden. We rarely see these guys in my neck of the woods!

Giant Swallowtail (1)

Aug22

Cathy Burrell
Location: Paddock Lake, WI
Kenosha County
This Eastern Tiger Swallowtail visited my home garden. I have seen both males and females this summer.

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (1)

Aug22

Tod Highsmith
Location: Token Creek County Park
Dane County
The real excitement was two different swarms of 25+ Green Darners in flight over the goldenrod meadows.

Aug22

Ron Arnold
Location: my property in the town of Seneca
Wood County
These were all seen in my yard today. There were also several dark skippers that didn’t cooperate for identification.

Aug23

Larry Booth
Location: Fox Point, WI (Milwaukee northern suburb, two blocks from Lake Mich.)
Milwaukee County
The Giant Swallowtail was on Phlox in our garden. This is the first time I have seen this species here.

Giant Swallowtail (1)

Aug23

Mike Reese
Location: Various sites in the western part of the county
Waushara County

Aug23

Craig Ellefson
Location: Decatur Lake boat launch
Green County

Aug23

Kathryn Bishop
Location: my backyard in Chippewa Falls
Chippewa County
This is a female Eastern Tiger Swallowtail that was enjoying the purple cone flower in my backyard. I saw it fluttering around and ran outside with my camera in time to get this close up.

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (1)

Aug23

Cindy Donegan
Location: park and flower garden
Kenosha County
Beautiful swallowtail and monarch in perfect condition. There were also many dragonflies and damselflies around the lagoon area. Though the light wasn’t good, I took a photo of a damselfly mating wheel. While the photo isn’t at all artistic, I was astounded to find all the mites on the male Orange Bluet.

Aug24

Mike Radloff
Location: Kewaskum, golf course
Ozaukee County
sighted between eight to ten giant swallowtails while golfing on the course

Giant Swallowtail (8–10)

Aug24

Dan Foster
Location: Germantown/Sussex area
Washington County
These sightings are within the last 7–10 days, the oldest being the Eastern Tailed Blue.The Clouded Sulphurs were a mated pair. The female Eastern Tiger is a bit worn, but still nice to look at.

The Monarchs I spotted in four pairs cruising separate territories in a large meadow.

Aug24

Adrian Konell
Location: Lake Township
Marinette County

Aug24

Jim Otto
Location: Near intersection of Woodland Rd. and Hwy 45 (new route)
Winnebago County

Aug24

Mike Reese, David Reese
Location: Spring Green Reserve
Sauk County

Aug24

Mike Reese, David Reese
Location: Avoca Wildlife Area
Iowa County
Little Yellows found at the two western sites.

Aug24

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

Aug24

Ron Arnold
Location: my property in the town of Seneca
Wood County

Aug24

Ryan Brady
Location: Chequamegon National Forest southeast of Grand View
Bayfield County
Sunny but cool and breezy. Not much flying up here these days…

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Sightings for August 2008