Date: 09/24/2010

Number: 800

Late-arriving monarchs put on an astounding spectacle at Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge. Just when their numbers had been diminishing for about a week due to rain and strong winds, the monarchs exploded on the scene with a roost estimated at 800 or more on the western side of the refuge. Another 350 were observed moving south during four hours of observation. The strong activity followed heavy rains during the previous day and overnight. The day was partly cloudy with a brisk west wind. Around the roost by mid-morning, monarchs in the hundreds could be seen flying in the area and resting on trees and plants along a half-mile near a creek bed, A wonderful moment in monarch watching.

Prairie City, IA

Latitude: 41.6 Longitude: -93.3

Observed by: Robert
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