Date: 08/15/2009

Number: 1

People across Vermont are reporting very few monarchs this breeding season, according to a discussion that took place in the middle of August on the “Vermont Birds” listserv. The following are snippits of that conversation, along with dates and locations:

August 15: Middletown Springs, Vermont

Has anyone seen a Monarch butterfly this year? I always leave the milkweed in my garden for monarchs. By now there are usually some but I have yet to see any this year.

August 15: Milton, Vermont

I haven't seen any this year either and I have been checking the milkweed
for chrysalis' and caterpillars. Have seen several Viceroys, but NO Monarchs and we have tons of Milkweed. Disappointing!

August 16: Bennington, Vermont

Small numbers about in an expansive milkweed field in Bennington.

August 15: Brandon, Vermont

I have seen a few in Brandon but not recently.

August 16: Burlington, Vermont

Just saw a monarch in the backyard here in Burlington-- I think it's just the second I've seen here this year.

August 15: Duxbury, Vermont

We haven't seen any our way this year either.

August 1: Huntington, Vermont

I saw my first monarch on August 1 here at the Museum in Huntington. I
have only seen 1 or 2 since. We have lots of milkweed and usually see many
more.

August 1: Manchester, Vermont

I saw two Monarch butterflies a few weeks ago, one in Manchester Equinox Preservation Trrust, the other nectaring on the zinnias in my garden in Dorset. All butterfly species seem to be sparce this summer.

Editor’s Note: Reported August 16th , so estimating date as August 1.

August 10: Manchester Center, Vermont

Last Monday I found three-phase one monarch larvae in the field I monitor. It seems late for them. I hope they will make it.

August 15: Norwich, Vermont

Not a one!

August 10: St. George, VT

I have finally seen several in my gardens, but only since this past week. I too saw none on our milkweed as in other years. These adults are feeding on our butterfly bushes and cone flowers, mostly, and there are only as many as 4 to 5 that I can see at a time. I have fairly extensive flower gardens so this is a relatively small number.

Editor’s Note: Estimating date as August 10.

Duxbury, VT

Latitude: 44.3 Longitude: -72.8

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