Date: 08/11/2011

Number: 300

August 25
Day time roosts (500), with high winds. Strong 30+ mile an hour winds all day. Went to greet little friends, and they did an amazing burst of color as they flew over my head. At least 55+ did a sun burst in front of me also. When they settled on branches counted at least 5 roosts of over 100 scattered over 6 or 7 trees. They kept on moving because of the high wind. It was good to see them on this windy day, and they are increasing in their numbers for day roosts, and night also.

August 24
Day time roost, with high winds. Strong 30+ mile an hour winds all day. Went to greet little friends, and they did an amazing burst of color as they flew over my head. At least 55+ did a sun burst in front of me also. When they settled on branches counted at least 5 roosts of over 100 scattered over 6 or 7 trees. They kept on moving because of the high wind. It was good to see them on this windy day, and they are increasing in their numbers for day roosts, and night also.

August 16
This morning went out to check on M.B's 9 A.M
Noticed threatening sky's and high winds starting up. As I walked amongst my trees, I noticed a morning roost of 50. As I walked further amongst the tree line, I saw at least 9 roosts on different trees.As As I walked the line of trees, they flew over my hear in a profusion of
orange sunbursts of color. I noticed them starting to hunker down on bare branches of the lilac bush. As I walked further, they were on the apple trees, pine trees, maple trees, elm trees.
As I watched and counted the wind picked up and the sky darkened. They kept tree hopping because of the wind. Finally the wind blew harder, and they roosted in earnest.

August 15
Afternoon of Monarch watching 3 PM 5:30 PM Monday.
Groups of 4-5 flying and playing tag with one another.
At one time watched as they went on clover booms to feed.

Some roosting on apple tree, maple tree, lilac trees, pine tree.
Roost started in earnest on lilac bushes, them on maple tree.
200 to 300 on 4 roosts for the night. Final total over 300

August 11
Noticed that their were clusters of 10 to 15 Monarch flying and hovering in the trees in the back trees. It was the first group sighting I have see this year. We have had a huge tree loss of trees and roosting spots due to high wind storm. Loss of hundreds of old grown trees, and young growth. 85+ straight line winds took out a lot of old roosting spots.

Padua, MN

Latitude: 45.7 Longitude: -95

Observed by: Judith
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