Date: 01/31/2002

Number: 1

There continues to be an overwintering population of monarchs along the Texas mid coast. We were able to observe, net, and tag monarchs in numbers nectaring on various wildflowers, especially short goldenrod, along the bay until early January. After a freeze the first week of January, they have been harder to find and then only a very few. A few times in January we were lucky enough to have observed mating pairs in the backyard. Almost every warm and sunny day in January there have been new eggs deposited in the backyard ... and two or three male monarchs to accompany the male Rufous Hummingbird. Things seem to be happening early this late winter or early spring along the mid coast ... purple martins sighted, flights of geese moving north, male cardinals singing, huisache trees and wildflowers blooming, and corn fields are ready for planting as soon as the ground temperature is right. Lo 61, hi 81 yesterday, norther today.

Port Lavaca, TX

Latitude: 28.5 Longitude: -96.7

Observed by: Harlen E.
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