NABA Butterfly Counts in Wisconsin for 2008

The NABA Butterfly Counts is an ongoing program of NABA to census the butterflies of North America (United States, Canada and partially Mexico) and to publish the results. Volunteer participants select a count area with a 15-mile diameter and conduct a one-day census of all butterflies sighted within that circle. Each participant in a SWBA-sponsored count is asked to pay $3 to help cover the costs of publishing the results of the counts. NABA Butterfly Count Reports for the U.S. are available from NABA for a fee, and are also available at Steenbock Memorial Library on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus. Note the counts were called Fourth of July Butterfly Counts from 1985-1999; the name switched to NABA Butterfly Count Report from 2000 to present.

For more information about SWBA-sponsored NABA counts:
Karl and Dorothy Legler, count coordinators: karlndot@chorus.net (608) 643-4926

For a list of additional Butterfly Counts in Wisconsin, visit NABA's web site. Contacts are listed.

2008 Field Trips

Sunday, May 4, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Early Butterflies & Flowers of TNC's Spring Green Preserve
Trip leaders: Rich Henderson and Ann Thering
Co-sponsors: SWBA, The Prairie Enthusiasts, Madison Audubon Society

The trip leaders will share information about the rare plant communities and butterflies at The Nature Conservancy's Spring Green Preserve. Plant communities include sand prairie, dry bluff prairie, black oak barrens, and oak woodlands. At this time, the Olympia Marble butterfly should be flying. Other possibilities include American Lady, Red Admiral, Juniper Hairstreak, and early Monarchs. We will also look for migratory birds such as meadowlarks, vesper, grasshopper, and lark sparrows, and dickcissels. There is always something interesting to see at this preserve, such as prickly
pear cactus and a host of other insects, including a variety of tiger beetles. Early spring flowers, such as buttercup, bird's-foot violet, and rock-cress, should be in bloom.

Wear footgear appropriate for walking among cacti and sun protection. Bring water and close-focusing
binoculars if you have them. You may want to bring a bag lunch to share after the trip.

If you have any questions contact trip leaders Rich Henderson at (608) 845-7065 (home) or tpe.rhenderson@tds.net or Ann Thering at (608) 836-1097 or therannc@yahoo.com

Meet at the Spring Green Preserve parking lot at 10 a.m. From the intersection of US Hwy. 14 and State Hwy. 23 near Spring Green, travel north on Hwy. 23 for .5 mile and turn right (east) on Jones Rd. After .75 mile, turn left (north) on the dirt access road to the preserve parking lot (it's just past fire number E5196A). Expect the trip to last until 1 p.m.


Date: May weekday: May 19, 20 OR 21: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Date depends on weather and on when the Elfins are flying.
Finding Frosted Elfins, Jackson County
Leader: Scott Swengel
Co-sponsors: SWBA, Madison Audubon Society
PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED

All five species of Wisconsin Elfins are tiny and elusive, but none more so than the State-Threatened Frosted Elfin. On this field trip, Scott Swengel, who
has more than 20 years of experience monitoring butterflies in Wisconsin, will show participants the best ways to search for these butterflies. Other
possible butterfly species, which will depend on which day in May the trip runs, include: Olympia Marble, Karner Blue, Gorgone Checkerspot, Cobweb
Skipper, Dusted Skipper, the other four species of Elfins found in the state, and five species of Duskywings. Please bring close-focusing binoculars if you have them. (Several extra pairs of binoculars are available for use.) Also, bring a bag lunch and plenty of water. Long plants and shirt sleeves are recommended, and sturdy hiking boots.

The all-day trip will be on one weekday, Monday-Wednesday:

May 19-21.

Extra note: Field trip will include at least 4 miles of walking. Those interested please email Ann Thering at therannc@yahoo.com no later than April 30 to be placed on a Frosted Elfin field trip alert email list. Only one or two days notice will be given, by email.

Meet in Jackson Co. at 10 a.m. at the corner of West Bauer Road and Brockway Road. From the intersection of I-94 and Hwy 54 in Black River Falls, go east on Hwy 54 approximately five miles to Brockway Road. Turn right on Brockway and drive 2.5 miles south to West Bauer Road. This area is about 2 - 2 1/2 hours northwest of Madison.

Saturday, May 17, 10:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. May 18, optional and very dependent upon the weather
Bog Butterflies of Northern Wisconsin
Trip leader: Mike Reese
Co-sponsors: SWBA, Madison Audubon Society
PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED

This trip will concentrate on locating the early season bog species at Riley Lake Wildlife Area in Price County where all five were seen last May 17. These include the Freija Fritillary, Frigga Fritillary, Red-disk Alpine, Jutta Arctic, and the Brown Elfin. Although a total of 16 species of butterflies were seen last year on a similar trip these species will certainly be the highlight. The five species are all listed on the Wisconsin DNR web page of rare bog butterflies. Since they fly only in May or very early June and have been seen here, this should be the prime time and place to see these species.

Wear footgear appropriate for walking in the boggy habitat. Last year it was cool in the morning and ice was still on the water at 9:30 am so it could be a little chilly. Bring water and close-focusing binoculars if you have them. You may want to bring a bag lunch to share after the trip.

If you have any questions contact trip leader Mike Reese at (920) 787-2341 (home) or email him at mikereese@wisconsinbutterflies.org

We will meet at the corner of Hwy 70 and Hemlock Rd. at approximately 10:30 a.m. on Saturday May 17. If you are traveling from the east go to the intersection
of US Hwy. 51 and State Hwy 70 in Minocqua and travel west on Hwy 70 approximately 25 miles to Hemlock Rd.
If you are traveling from the west go the intersection of US Hwy 13 and State Hwy 70 in Fifield, travel east
on Hwy 70 approximately 15 miles to Hemlock Rd. We will then travel to North Gates Lake Rd. to the bog. This location is approximately 240 miles from Madison.

This trip will continue on Sunday for anyone staying over. Call Mike for information on motels in Park Falls. Reserve early!

To register for this trip (or if you have any questions) contact leader Mike Reese at (920) 787-2341 (home) or mikereese@wisconsinbutterflies.org. Registration will allow us to contact you concerning any bad weather cancellation.

Saturday, June 28, 10 a.m.-noon
Butterflies of Cherokee Marsh
Co-sponsors: SWBA, Madison Audubon Society and the Wisconsin Wetlands Association
Trip leader: Kathy Kirk

On this morning 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 at 10 a.m. 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.