Date: 08/31/2010

Number: 3000

Visited two properties about 2 miles apart. Both have very large trees and are approximately 2 acres in size. They are situated in the middle of an area heavily farmed in soy beans and corn. Riga Township is in Lenawee County about 12 miles north of the Ohio border with Michigan. It is about 120 miles from Pt. Pelee but as the crow (er butterfly flies) it may be closer. On these dates, the recorded information at Pt. Pelee was asking,"Where are the monarchs?" Apparently they did not stop over there.

I arrived just before dark after the butterflies had settled down for the night. The sights were awesome with most of the monarchs at about 6-12' off the ground. Every branch was covered with butterflies at rest. I tagged a few but stopped because bright flashlights disturbed them. After tagging, they went to the ground and seemed to have trouble getting back up into the trees. We picked them up and placed them on the branches. I would say that there were hundreds, if not thousands at each of the two properties. Over several nights they have not shown a preference for a particular tree species.

Editor’s Note: We are estimating a minimum 3000 monarchs based on observer’s estimate of “thousands at each of the two properties.”

RIGA, MI

Latitude: 41.8 Longitude: -83.8

Observed by: DIANE
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