Date: 08/25/2009

Number: 45

Went back to the alfalfa field in East Farmington again. But this time, I was able to see three roosts develop. The clusters were all of similar size, 12-15 butterflies per cluster. There were very likely lots of singles and doubles, too. Early on I saw a lot of these in the smaller isolated trees, but they may have moved and clustered as darkness came on. The alfalfa blooms were more fully developed than last Friday. I suspect these Monarchs were different than the ones I saw then because Saturday was a blue sky/northern breeze day and I didn't observe many Monarchs in the alfalfa Saturday morning.
Tom Murphy (of Cannon Falls) and I discussed roosting conditions a lot on Sunday. I agree with him that a good NECTAR SOURCE is the most important thing. Also look for LARGE nectar sources, preferably up high (ridges, plateaus), with a tree or trees close by. And look for still nights with temperatures that drop quickly into the 50s. When it was warmer, the air around the lower trees cooled off a few degrees more. That was a factor Sunday evening. When the wind blows from the north, they will likely be gone. Catch them when you can.

East Farmington, WI

Latitude: 45.3 Longitude: -92.7

Observed by: Pat
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