Date: 10/23/2003

Number: 1

With all of the news about migrating Monarchs, we thought the following
observations on a seemingly resident Monarch in Baytown, Harris County, TX
might be of interest.

A male Monarch appeared in our yard on October 14 for the first time. It
was immediately recognizable because it was missing a large piece of its
right forewing, probably the result of a bird attack. The costa and base of
the wing were intact, but the piece was torn from the outer margin.
Otherwise, the wings appeared fairly fresh and in good shape. In spite of
the damaged wing, the butterfly could fly well.

This individual Monarch remained in our backyard almost constantly for nine
days, from October 14 through the evening of October 22. It was not seen on
October 23, at least not into the afternoon.

During this time, it nectared occasionally on Eupatorium and Pentas, but
most of its activities were confined to two tall stalks of Mexican milkweed
that were constantly in the sunlight. There it nectared and rested, usually
on the same bunch of flowers, and it basked there in direct sun with wings
spread widely for hours on end.

Once, this male swirled up into the air and intercepted a passing female.
The two tumbled together to our patio and remained there for several minutes
before the female flew off and disappeared. The male then went back to his
customary perch. He was also chased from the flowers on at least two
occasions by a Ruby-throated Hummingbird, but always returned when the
hummer had departed.

Other Monarchs have apparently come through our yard, nectared briefly, and
then left. But this easily recognized male remained day after day. Like a
banded bird, it offered an opportunity to track an individual for several
days. It is possible that it was not inclined to move on because of its
torn wing, but it seemed able to fly fairly well, and the injury did not
dampen its ardor for a passing female.

Contributed to Monarch Watch

Baytown, TX

Latitude: 29.8 Longitude: -94.9

Observed by:
Contact Observer

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Contact will be made through a web-based form.