Date: 10/30/2010
Number: 1
October 30, 2010
While sailing on Mobile bay in a direction almost due south in light winds and clear skies, I observed 20 monarch-appearing butterflies hour #1 (ending at 2 pm CST),
22 butterflies hour #2 (ending at 3 pm CST),
and 18 butterflies hour #3 (ending at 3 pm CST) flying over our boat.
All butterflies were solo fliers, not in groups. One alighted on the beam and had the distinctive Monarch markings with no horizontal veins near the wing bottoms. All flew in a south/southwest direction, although they flew in little erratic arcs of about 10 degrees in their general direction. The air temperature was about 72 degrees. They were flying at altitudes of about 15-20 feet above the sea. I hope they made it to a roosting place over land before dark. My observation time: I was watching for __3_ hours and _0__ minutes.
Montrose, AL
Latitude: 30.6 Longitude: -87.9
Observed by: Brenda Wilmoth
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