Date: 09/07/2005
Number: 1
09-07-05 This evening observed 5 good monarch roosts. Estimate total of 500 to 700 monarchs. Many larva still on milkweeds. No eggs as of late. In my classroom the last few days students have been bringing in larva. I now have 60 pupa and around 100 larva.
August 29
Sunny warm day easily a thousand monarch nectaring. The low tonight is also predicted to be 54º F, but this evening I could fell the chill and the dew came on strong and the grass was very wet even before total sunset. The monarchs are in fairly tight roosts of 50 or more.
August 28
many monarch nectaring, they retreated to the woods in the evening and most were singles or groups less than 5. It predicted to get down to 54º F but the evening stayed fairly warm, and I didn't feel the dew come on.
August 26
Strong, tight roosts on 08/21 through 08/24 each night it was 55°f or lower. 55°f and lower seems to really encourage the concentrated roosts. Each day there are thousands nectaring on the flowers but on the warmer nights they roost in the trees as singles or groups of 5 or less. I've been experimenting with finding roosts. I have found several by looking for overgrown fields or ditches with many flowers blooming I then look for the nearest groups of trees. Then I return in the evening or early morn. So far I have had success 4 out of 5 locations. I think the key to finding roosts is very much dependent on finding the nectar source. Even when migrating hard they seem to stop for a sip.
August 21
evening of 08-21-05 Strong roots. Tight groups of 50 to 1000 monarchs. Was 45°f on my thermometer 6:00 AM on 08-22-05. I estimate 2000 in the trees. In 9 different roosts.
August 15
Evening of 08-14-05 and early morning of 08-15-05 Many small roosts of 5 to 25 monarchs. Still many monarchs just single in the trees.
Many monarchs nectaring on flowers durring the day. Estimate 400 to 700. It is a good year for monarch in this area.
Cannon Falls, MN
Latitude: 44.5 Longitude: -92.8
Observed by: Tom
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