See our exciting slate of 2009 trips!
A list of species found on all field trips and butterfly counts is posted after the event at Wisconsin Butterflies.
A Harvester butterfly, found during a SWBA field trip to Jackson County. The caterpillars of this butterfly are strictly carnivorous! Photograph by Ann Thering (Copyright 2008)
Trips or Counts may be canceled in the case of inclement or even cloudy weather because butterflies can be hard to find in such weather. Please call the field trip leader to make sure trip will meet if weather is questionable.
2009 Field Trips
Feb. 28...Live Butterflies at the Milwaukee Public MuseumJune 20...Butterflies and Wildflowers at Pleasant Valley Conservancy
June 27...Butterflies of Cherokee Marsh
July 5.....Madison Butterfly Count
July 11....Birds, Butterflies, and Dragonflies at Lakeshore Preserve
July 18....Flowers and Butterflies of Schurch-Thomson Prairie
July 25....Scuppernong Valley Prairie and Butterflies
Aug. 8.....Butterflies of the Avoca/Blue River Area
Sept. 12....Monarchs and Fall Flowers at Pheasant Branch Conservancy
Saturday, February 28, 9:30 a.m.
Live Butterflies at the Milwaukee Public Museum
Trip leader: Sue Borkin
Pre-Registration Required
Mark this on your calendar! This is a fun way to butterfly-kiss winter goodbye and anticipate the colorful delights of warmer seasons! We will carpool and travel to the vast Milwaukee Public Museum to receive a special, behind-the-scenes guided tour of Bugs Alive! and the Puelicher Butterfly Garden, a two-story, glass-enclosed wing of the museum, which has live butterflies. The numerous colorful native and tropical butterflies (such as the giant electric-blue Morpho) often land on visitors! We are fortunate to have this special tour led by Susan Borkin, the director of the Puelicher Garden and Director of Research Support for the Museum. Surrounding the Garden are displays of more than 1,000 species of butterflies and moths from the museum collection. We will also get a rare behind-the-scenes look at the museum’s extensive collections. The tour will last 2-3 hours. We will eat lunch at the museum’s cafe and afterwards you can attend any of the numerous other exhibits (Rain Forest, Titanic, Living Oceans, etc.) or enjoy the IMAX theatre or planetarium. The museum admission fee is $11, senior $10.
We will meet in Madison to carpool at 7:45 a.m. or you can meet at 9:30 a.m. at a designated location in the museum. This is a joint trip with the Madison Audubon Society. You must register for this trip by emailing Joan Braune at jbraune@sbcglobal.net or phone (608) 242-1168. We will provide you with more details, such as meeting place and directions, and we will be able to notify you of any changes.
Saturday, June 20, 9:30 a.m.-noon
Butterflies and Wildflowers at Pleasant Valley Conservancy
Trip leaders: Kathie and Tom Brock, Ann Thering
Co-sponsors: SWBA, The Prairie Enthusiasts, and Madison Audubon Society
Pleasant Valley Conservancy is one of our newest State Natural Areas, and one of the most beautiful. It is situated in the Driftless Area and boasts steep goat prairies on the south-facing hillsides and oak savanna along the ridge top. There is also a large high quality marsh in the adjacent lowland area.
The various habitats are home to numerous butterflies. This time of year we hope to see Baltimore Checkerspots and perhaps some wetland skippers, such as Mulberry Wing. Other possible butterfly species include Black Swallowtail, Tiger Swallowtail, Giant Swallowtail, American Lady, fritillaries, blues, hairstreaks, and sulfurs. All of these butterflies will have many wonderful native plants to nectar on this time of year. We will be hiking two to three miles, including a steep hillside. Long pants, a hat, water, and sturdy hiking shoes are recommended. Close-focusing binoculars are also useful. Contact the trip leaders only if you have questions: Tom: (608) 238-5050, tdbrock@charter.net, or Ann, therannc@yahoo.com, (608) 836-1097. Learn more about the Conservancy.
Directions: The Conservancy is 5.5 miles southwest of the village of Black Earth. Head south from the center of Black Earth on County Hwy. F/Wisconsin 78. Turn right at County F/County KP/Madison St. Go about 1.1 miles on County F/KP and turn left on F. Go 3.7 miles to Pleasant Valley Rd., which enters from the left. Turn left on Pleasant Valley Rd. The preserve is on both sides of Pleasant Valley Rd. To reach the trail entrance, continue past the buildings and the steep hillside until you reach an open area and walking trail entrance on your left (about 3/4 mile east on Pleasant Valley Rd, from the junction with County F). Cars should be parked off the road facing the entrance.
Saturday, June 27, 10 a.m. - noon
Butterflies of Cherokee Marsh
Trip leader: Kathy Kirk
Co-sponsors: SWBA, Madison Audubon Society
On this walk we'll observe and learn about butterflies, those small but exquisitely beautiful creatures that dance about our ankles in summer. Conservation Biologist Kathy Kirk will lead this two-hour walk at Cherokee Marsh on the northeast side of Madison. We will observe a variety of butterflies as they take nectar from wildflowers, and learn about their identification, behavior, and lifestyle.
Bring binoculars if you have them. Close-focusing ones work best. Consider wearing long pants and a hat for protection from the sun.
Meet on the north side of Madison take Northport Drive (Highway 113) then turn north on Sherman Ave. Meet at the Cherokee Marsh parking lot at the north end of Sherman Ave. Call Kathy only if you have a question about the trip, at (608) 442-1642.
Sunday, July 5, 9 a.m. - noon
Madison Butterfly Count
Count leaders: Karl and Dorothy Legler
Co-sponsors: SWBA, Madison Audubon Society, UW Arboretum
This is our 19th annual count. Each summer butterfly enthusiasts from all over North America participate in some 483 censuses of butterfly species. Each count is similar to a Christmas Bird Count. These censuses help to monitor the health of butterfly populations; the results are published in an annual report. If you can identify butterflies or can help spot butterflies, or just want to see and learn about butterflies, join us on this count/field trip. Bring binoculars, the closer they focus the better, or just get close! (We will have a few extra binoculars.) Dress for protection from the heat and sun; a hat is recommended. The North American Butterfly Association (NABA) requires a $3 fee from each participant to cover publishing costs. (If you would like to count butterflies at your own site within the 15-mile diameter circle, call the number below. Anyone is welcome to continue counting in the afternoon.) Meet at 9 a.m. at the parking lot for the Grady Tract in the UW Arboretum.
Directions: Heading west on the Beltine (Hwy 12), take the Seminole Hwy exit and then turn left (south) on Seminole Hwy driving across the bridge over the Beltline turning immediately into the parking lot for the Grady Tract. If you have a question about the butterfly count call Karl and Dorothy Legler at (608) 643-4926 or karlndot@charter.net
Saturday, July 11, 10 a.m. - noon
Birds, Butterflies and Dragonflies at Lakeshore Preserve
Trip leader: Edgar Spalding
Co-sponsors: SWBA, Friends of the Lakeshore Nature Preserve, Madison Audubon Society
Join us in a search for pretty things with wings! If the weather cooperates, we may expect to see at least half a dozen species of dragonflies and perhaps twice as many different butterflies. The walking route will include the edge of Mendota's University Bay, the woods of Picnic Point, and the Biocore Prairie. Bring your binoculars--the closer they focus the better.
Meet at the Picnic Point parking lot on the UW campus. If you have a question about the trip call Edgar at (608) 265-5294 or (608) 831-0616.
Saturday, July 18, 9 a.m. - noon
Flowers and Butterflies of Schurch-Thomson Prairie
Trip leader: Rich Henderson
Co-sponsors: SWBA, The Prairie Enthusiasts, Madison Audubon Society
Come visit TPE's Schurch-Thomson Prairie, and the adjacent privately owned Underwood Prairie. The latter is closed to the public, so this is a great opportunity to see it up close. These and adjacent properties form a complex of remnant prairie and CRP grasslands that are rich with grassland birds. Summer flowers will be in bloom, and we hope to see the rare Regal Fritillary and other butterflies. Be prepared for a long hike and bring binoculars for butterfly viewing (the closer they can focus the better). We will have a few extra binoculars.
From Hwy 151 at Blue Mounds take F south (note: F makes a right angle turn). After 5 miles turn right onto Reilly Road. Go to the end and park by the barn. Call Rich Henderson (608) 845-7065 only if you have a question about the trip.
Saturday, July 25, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Scuppernong Valley Prairie and Butterflies
Trip leaders: Scott Sauer, Scott Weber, Karl and Dorothy Legler
Co-sponsors: SWBA, The Prairie Enthusiasts, Madison Audubon Society
Come and explore over 1,000 acres of lowland prairie habitat in various stages of recovery. Located in Waukesha Co. this Wisconsin DNR-owned land has the potential of becoming one of the largest and richest prairie areas in the state. The vegetation across this level landscape is a mosaic of high quality remnant prairie, long-abandoned old fields reverting back to prairie, and everything in between. Three state natural areas are currently designated within the area. The DNR's efforts in recent years of extensive clearing of trees and brush and reintroducing fire are resulting in the reclamation of large areas of prairie. Many prairie flowers and a variety of butterflies abound. Some late season grassland birds may also still be active in the area as well.
Be prepared for much walking and some wet ground. Bring food and water, sun screen, hat, insect repellent, and binoculars (the closer they focus the better--we will have a couple extra pair). For more information, contact Scott Sauer (608) 273-0904.
Directions: Meet at the Scuppernong Prairie State Natural Area parking lot on County N. From Eagle (in SW Waukesha Co.) take US 59 west for 1 mile to County N. Turn right (north) on to N and go for about 1.5 miles. Look for a Scuppernong Prairie sign on the right. The gravel parking lot is on the left.
Saturday, August 8, 10:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Butterflies of Avoca/Blue River Area
Trip leader: Mike Reese
Co-sponsors: SWBA, Madison Audubon Society
This trip will highlight several areas in the Lower Wisconsin State Riverway, including Avoca Prairie and Savanna State Natural Area in Iowa Co. and the Muscoda and Blue River units in Grant Co. We expect to see late butterflies and several southern immigrants. A hat and long pants are recommended. Bring binoculars (the closer they focus the better). A few extra binoculars are available.
Allow 1 1/4 hour travel time from Madison. Take Hwy 14 east to Lone Rock, south on Hwy 130 then turn right on Hwy 133. Go west about 5.5 miles, turn right on Hay Rd, and drive north to the parking lot just before the creek. Call Mike at (920) 787-2341 if you have a question about the trip.
Saturday, September 12, noon-3 p.m.
Monarchs and Fall Flowers at Pheasant Branch Conservancy
Trip leaders: Ann Thering, Dreux Watermolen
Co-sponsors: SWBA, Friends of Pheasant Branch Conservancy, Madison Audubon Society
Join us on a walk through the lovely Pheasant Branch Conservancy in Middleton. The many beautiful asters should be in bloom, and we hope lots of butterflies will be nectaring on these flowers. We can expect several species, including Monarchs, sulfurs, blues, and possibly some southern immigrants, such as Common Buckeye and Painted Lady. You never know what you may find! We will also learn more about restoration efforts at the conservancy. Long pants, a hat, water, and sturdy hiking shoes are recommended. Close-focusing binoculars are also useful. We will hike two or three miles.
Contact the trip leaders only if you have questions: Dreux Watermolen: (608) 266-8931, dreux.watermolen@dnr.state.wi.us, or Ann Thering, therannc@yahoo.com, (608) 836-1097.
Pheasant Branch Conservancy is located in Middleton at the northwest corner of Lake Mendota. From Hwy. 12: Take Hwy. 12 to the city of Middleton. Turn east on Century Ave. (County Hwy M). Take Century Ave. to Pheasant Branch Rd., then turn north (left) on Pheasant Branch Rd. From the City of Madison: Take University Ave. west to Middleton. Turn north (right) on Allen Blvd. Take Allen Blvd. to Century Ave. Turn west (left) on Century Avenue. Take Century Ave. to Pheasant Branch Rd., then turn north (right) on Pheasant Branch Rd. City and county parking lots are located on the east side of Pheasant Branch Rd. You will pass a city parking lot 0.6 miles north of Century Ave. Go to the county parking lot 1.2 miles north of Century Ave.