Date: 09/13/2003

Number: 7500

There were 5,000-10,000 monarchs
clustered in the tree island off the boardwalk in the wetlands.
Because of the rain they stayed in the trees rather than scattering
to feed on the nearby Bidens flowers. They were easy pickings for the
taggers, if they could reach them with their nets. Almost everyone
was successful and many tagged 20 or more monarchs before they got so
wet they had to pour water out of their boots, wring out their
clothes or head for a warm drink and a change of clothes. We won't
know the number of monarchs tagged until the data sheets are dry
enough to handle but the number was probably in the range of 400
tagged. Not a bad day considering the conditions and that we are
still 3-6 days from the normal peak of the migration.

Contributed to Monarch Watch

Editor’s Note: We are estimating 7,500 monarchs based on observer’s comment that the number ranged from “5,000 to 10,000 monarchs.”

Lawrence, KS

Latitude: 39 Longitude: -95.2

Observed by:
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