Date: 05/22/2005

Number: 1

I would like to report the first sighting of a
northward-migrating Monarch for this season here in southern
Wisconsin. Yesterday morning, May 22, a bright and sunny if windy day
here, temperature probably in the upper sixties, my wife and I saw a
Monarch butterfly pass through our back yard (Town of Oregon, Dane County, Wisconsin) without stopping. It might
have been a female, but I didn't get a better look at it. It was
faded, but otherwise appeared to be in good shape and was a strong
flyer.

This is the earliest date that I can recall seeing a
northward-migrating Monarch butterfly at this location. The milkweed
is only just starting to come up, so there is very little if any food
available yet for its reproduction.

Contributed to Monarch Watch

Oregon, WI

Latitude: 42.9 Longitude: -89.4

Observed by:
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