Date: 09/17/2005

Number: 1

For the last 2 years I was able to go out my back door and tag anywhere from 100 to 200 Monarchs. It was so easy, but not this year. Peak migration in my area is usually 9/11 and I did have some Monarchs on that date this year, 50-75 in my backyard, but nothing like in previous years. I had to go out in the fields and find them this year. One day I got all excited when I saw a number of what I thought were Monarchs, but turned out to be the Viceroy butterfly. It has been more of a challenge for me this year to use up my 300 tags that I ordered.

I usually can tell when the peak migration is here by the number of Monarchs flying along our interstate and in the big cities. I saw that scene 2 days ago.

There are still a few that I tag each day, however the peak has passed. I usually have 100's roosting in the trees, but not this year. My son who lives on a farm 5 miles south of me usually has the Monarchs roost in his cedar trees, but he commented that he has not seen very

Thurman, IA

Latitude: 40.8 Longitude: -95.8

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