Date: 08/23/2008

Number: 1000

I had 500 monarchs nectaring at my Monarch Waystation on Saturday, Aug. 23rd and Sunday, Aug 24th. They did not roost in tight bunches Saturday evening, just singularly with a few groups of 5 to 10. Sunday evening they were mostly roosting in groups. I tagged 200 Monday, Aug 25th.

I'd say this is another below average year at my location. The overall numbers at my location look slightly lower than last year but much better than in 2006.

August 26
Today, Aug. 26, 2008 a strong 1,000 monarchs nectaring in the Monarch Waystation. As evening approached I checked usual roosting sites and found ten fairly tight clusters each containing 50 to 100 monarchs. One much bigger of at least 200, and many of 5 to `10 each. It might be shaping up to be a better year here than I thought. Probably approaching the number that came through last year.
I'd guess the last few days have been the leading edge of the migration.

August 29
1000 or better Several roosts of 25 to 50 each low about 55�

August 30
1,000 or better. No group roosts. Just singles and doubles in the woods. low 69�

August 31
500 to 1,000 Mostly singles and double in the woods. 3 small roosts of 15 or less each. predicted low 63�

September 2
cold and rainy only 5-10 monarchs in the waystation. Nevertheless was able to find 3 small roosts totaling 200

September 3
70's sunny, gentle North wind (blowing south) 100 or so at the waystation. Received a phone call late afternoon didn't get out to look for roosts until the temp was already down to 55. Still had 20 min or so before sunset but saw not one monarch flying. No roosts in their usual places.

When I watered my Swamp MW this after noon found about 40 larva many stages.


Tomorrow is supposed to be high 60 or low 70s and sunny. Looks like we're heading into the end of the migration.

While my summer on the farm seemed to produce fewer monarchs than last year, the migration was stronger. So I'd say overall, here, it was about like last year. Still below my 15 year average, but an OK year.

Cannon Falls, MN

Latitude: 44.5 Longitude: -92.8

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