Date: 05/16/2010

Number: 1

We spotted 5 monarchs as we paddled the Saugeen River last Sunday, they were all flying along the river in the direction of the current. Weather was sunny, breezy and about 18 Celcius. This is the earliest sighting for us.

I am positive- I am a Monarch Teacher Network leader and we also observed hundreds of Red Admirals and about 10 Milbert's tortoise shells.
We also have common milkweed about 6-8 inches and growing.

We were canoeing on the Saugeen River all afternoon and saw 4 on the river- not all at once, but one at a time. Not able to determine sex, as they were in flight and we were in motion. Then later, at our friend's farm-( also a Monarch Waystation- Rivendell, Port Elgin) - as we sat on the deck overlooking the river, we saw the last one at about 5:00 p.m.

The Lake Huron coastline is an important migratory route- both spring and fall, so I figured we would see monarchs on our paddle. (The Saugeen River flows into Lake Huron). I will report our first eggs, our school Monarch Waystation is in Wiarton and so close to Georgian Bay- much colder- milkweed in that garden is just 1-2 inches yet.

Port Elgin, ON

Latitude: 44.4 Longitude: -81.4

Observed by: Audrey
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