Date: 09/09/2010

Number: 1

This was another wonderful day for observing the monarch butterfly migration over central Iowa. The monarchs were everywhere at Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge and elsewhere. During four hours of observations at Neal Smith, a record 1,744 monarchs were counted as they nectared on the flowers and sought to continue their movement south. A brisk wind from the east southeast slowed the butterflies' flight. About 9:30 a.m., 265 monarchs were observed and counted in a large stand of tickseed sunflowers in the far north part of the refuge where they likely had spent their overnight hours. At other points in the refuge, monarchs appeared to be seeking out nectaring places as they continued their migration.

Prairie City, IA

Latitude: 41.6 Longitude: -93.3

Observed by: Robert
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