Date: 09/15/2007

Number: 100

The monarchs pass by frequently this time of year on their migration south to Mexico. On 9/15/07 I observed several monarchs flying past the window all day. At dusk, I expected the 'lion's share' of them to have passed by. Instead, I discovered that there were 100+ monarchs resting in scrub pines.

I did get up at dawn on 9/16/07 to observe the butterflies departing from their overnight resting place, but the temperature was in the 50's so they remained at rest. Later in the day - around 10am--I saw a cloud of monarchs fly off a bough all at once. I wondered why they all decided to depart at the same time and with such urgency as the other monarchs on other branches were not leaving. I realized that a squirrel was prancing down towards a green pine cone to eat that was near where the monarchs were resting.

Atlantic City, NJ

Latitude: 39.4 Longitude: -74.4

Observed by: Robert
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