Date: 09/07/2008

Number: 1

September 7
The movement of monarch butterflies was continuing Sunday morning at Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge near Prairie City, Iowa. During observations, 406 monarchs were counted nectaring primarily on tickseed sunflowers. Many were flying into the refuge from the north and stoppiing soon on the tickseeds. Others were seen in other parts of the refuge primarily where the tickseeds are blooming.

September 6
Once a dense fog cleared in late morning at the Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge, migrating monarchs began showing up to nectar on the wildflowers--especially the tickseed sunflowers. The tickseeds are a favorite nectaring source each fall for a period of 7 to 10 days as their blooming period coincides with the monarchs' migration. Shortly after noon in the northern part of the refuge, a wave of monarchs began arriving in the tickseeds in that area. More than 100 monarchs were counted as they flew from flower to flower. Overall during a morning visit, more than 225 monarchs were counted--another clear indicator the fall migration was under way.

September 5
Sightings of migrating monarchs had been limited up until today at Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge. After a dense fog had lifted, we arrived at the refuge's savanna trail area where the open prairie meets a hillside stand of oak trees. What we observed over the next hour and one-half was a spectacular showing of migrating monarchs as they flew out across the prairie and were found nectaring on wildflowers amid the stand of oak trees. We counted at least 250 monarchs, but the numbers surely were greater. This was another of those "monarch moments" when the beauty of nature creates a breathtaking environment. Later, in our butterfly garden in Altoona, we were greeted by another 30 migrating monarchs!

Prairie City, IA

Latitude: 41.6 Longitude: -93.3

Observed by: Robert
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