Date: 10/09/2010

Number: 650

After another stormy day, the next wave of Monarchs visited Robert Moses Beach on the south shore of Long Island. Starting 10.09.10 the weather was a moderate northeast wind sunny day with temps in the 70s in the day and low 50s at night. Over a 6 hour period I spotted 600 -650 monarchs. Once again they roosted in the pine trees, however unlike the prior migrators, they chose to roost in trees that were not near the ocean but were near the road. The previous monarchs congregated in large groups and roosted in a few trees, this group there were fewer in each tree, but in many trees.

The next day, Sunday, the weather conditions mirrored the previous day and I spotted 300-350 monarchs over a four hour period again roosting in the same trees as the previous day.

Monday (10.11.10) another beautiful day with a light west wind, though teaming rain storms arrived after nightfall, I spotted about 425 - 475, in five hours, with the majority of them near dusk to roost. On Monday about 8-10% of the monarchs had a tear or rip in one of their wings,though they were as feisty and hungry as all the rest. I also spotted a variety of other butterflies including many buckeyes, red admirals, clouded sulphurs, some black swallowtails and others that were flying along with the monarchs. Additionally there have been many dragonflies also flying with the monarchs.

The fall migration 2010, this is by far the largest population of monarchs migrating that I have seen. It has been a dream come true.

Hauppauge, NY

Latitude: 40.8 Longitude: -73.2

Observed by: Barbara
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