Date: 06/18/2010

Number: 1

Monarch sightings at Wenima Wildlife Area near Springerville:

Friday, June 18, 2010 at 5:58 PM: One monarch gliding near a Crab-apple tree (Malus pumila) searching for a roost. Worn and ragged wings so thin you could see through them when she passed in front of the sun. Looked like a female.

Saturday, June 19, 2010 at 9:30 AM: One monarch seen speeding north low, direct and fast about a foot above the grasses in the meadow north of the parking area.

Saturday, June 19, 2010 at 9:58 AM: One male monarch gliding high from the willows/Crab-apple trees near the trail to the south meadow to the willows near the parking area.

Saturday, June 19, 2010 at 3:18 PM: Two male monarchs nectaring briefly on Indian Hemp, Apocynum cannabinum, near the trail to the south meadow, then patrolling the Dogbane patch for the next 45 minutes.

Sunday, June 20, 2010 at 7:55 AM: One worn, thread-bare female monarch with shredded wings nectaring on Indian Hemp, Apocynum cannabinum. Wings so thin you could see through them.

Bob & I think there is a strong possibility the Friday and Sunday sightings are the same monarch. Its possible the male I spotted Saturday at 9:58 was one of the two males seen patrolling in the afternoon. The number of monarchs is small, especially in comparison to the large number of queens, mourning cloaks, dainty sulphurs and other whites, sulphurs and blues in the area.

Springerville, AZ

Latitude: 34.2 Longitude: -109.4

Observed by: Gail
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