Date: 10/18/2008

Number: 24

Checking the Ellwood Main grove in Goleta this morning, I saw only dozens of monarchs. For the first time, some were beginning to form clusters (if you consider 2 monarchs on the same branch a cluster!) The largest grouping I saw was 6-10 on one branch.

I wonder if clusters begin to form earlier in the more northern sites on the coast of California. That would explain why Santa Cruz stes seem to be ahead of Ellwood sites in accumulating butterflies at this time.

Editor’s Note: We are estimating a minimum of24 monarchs based on observer’s comment about “dozens .”

Courtesy of Monarch Watch

Goleta, CA

Latitude: 34.4 Longitude: -119.9

Observed by:
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