Date: 09/01/2005

Number: 1

Monarchs were observed flying into the north part of Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge as the fall migration continued to expand. Seventy monarchs were counted during an hour and one-half visit to the refuge. Monarchs were nectaring on thistles and tickseed sunflowers, and others were observed flying and floating across the prairie's big bluestem grasses.

August 31

The migrating monarch butterflies were highly active again at Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge, especially in a stand of tickseed sunflowers. During an observation visit of a bit more than an hour, 56 monarchs were counted. Many of them were found flying in and out of the tickseed sunflowers where they were nectaring. From a distance, only an occasional butterfly could be spotted floating into the mass of yellow flowers, but a walk into the center of the stand of plants brought one of those magical moments where the monarchs showed their colors by flying about in all directions. This was the first time this autumn when the monarchs were seen primarily on wildflowers other than thistles.

August 30
Early monarch migration activity was noted at Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge. During an hour and one-half visit, 44 monarchs were observed on the prairie. Most of them were nectaring on thistles even though other monarch favorites such as goldenrod and tickseed sunflowers are blooming now, too. It's interesting to note which wildflowers seem to be the favorites during different days in the fall migration season. In other years, goldenrod and tickseed sunflowers have proven to be popular at times with the migrating butterflies.

Prairie City, IA

Latitude: 41.6 Longitude: -93.3

Observed by: Robert
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