Date: 09/08/2001

Number: 1

A late-morning visit to Chichaqua Bottoms wildlife area in northeast Polk Country was highly productive. After several days of being slowed by the heavy rain and strong winds, the monarchs suddenly were on the move again. Between 10:50 a.m. and 11:50 a.m., 923 monarchs were counted in the sky heading south--many with the naked eye and others with binoculars. A look at the Iowa map hinted what had happened. On Friday afternoon, some of the heaviest wind damage and rains occurred in the community of Nevada and surrounding areas to the north. The monarchs must have been waiting for the all-clear before they moved on over Iowa. And move they did--racing at 500 to 1,000 feet in groups of 10 to 15 and as singles, doubles, and triples. What a sight it was! Later, on the roadways of Polk, Marshall, and Jasper Counties, hundreds more monachs were observed moving across the land at lower heights.

Altoona, IA

Latitude: 41.6 Longitude: -93.5

Observed by: Robert
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